Cleaning your gutters is a sometimes unpleasant but necessary part of homeownership. Learning how to clean house gutters without a ladder can make it a safer, easier, and more efficient experience.
If you live in a home with two floors or difficult to reach spots, this is especially relevant, and you’ll be glad to hear our tips for how to clean 2nd story gutters. We’ll cover the best way to clean gutters without a ladder, including the best gutter cleaning tools, the ideal cleaning schedule, and common signs that it’s time for a gutter replacement.
Is your home in need of gutter replacement? Get started today with a free gutter consultation from the pros at MEI.
How to Clean Gutters without a Ladder
With the right tools and know-how, cleaning gutters without a ladder can be pretty simple. Several gutter cleaning tools on the market allow you to safely and thoroughly clean out your gutters from the ground. Some even help with cleaning second-story gutters or gutters that are otherwise hard to reach. The correct technique will depend on the unique needs of your property. Whether you have a single-family home or multifamily property, let’s look at some common methods for how to clean rain gutters without a ladder.
Use Your Leaf Blower to Remove Leaves from Gutters
If you have a leaf blower already, why not try using it to clean out your gutters? Most models have a long, curved gutter cleaning attachment you can purchase, allowing you to easily reach up and over the gutter to blow out leaves and debris without needing a ladder. Leaf blowers get the job done quickly and are easy to use, but they aren’t as effective against wet debris or heavy clogs.
Clean Your Gutters with Boiling Water
If you struggle with clogged gutters or especially ice dams in the winter, boiling water can help, but it must be done carefully to avoid damage to you and your home. To do it safely, pour the water slowly over the ice dams and into your gutters, and wear protective clothing in case of any accidental splashing. While this option can easily eliminate frozen debris and ice dams, it doesn’t address the root of the ice dam problem and is not great against large, solid blockages in your gutters.
Use a Garden Hose to Clean Second Story Gutters
Another popular method for how to clean roof gutters is with a standard garden hose. You can purchase a telescoping wand or sprayer attachment to remove leaves and other debris from your gutters without the need for a ladder. This quick and affordable option can easily clear out dry, light debris, but it’s not as helpful against wet or packed clogs and won’t do much good in the colder months.
Looking to install gutters on your own? Read our top gutter installation mistakes before getting started.
Use a Pressure Washer
One of the strongest methods for how to get leaves out of gutters without a ladder is with a pressure washer, but this option also requires extra care to ensure you don’t cause harm to your gutters. Pressure washers with an added gutter cleaning attachment can blast away clumps of leaves and debris while you are safely on the ground, but we recommend using a lower-pressure setting. This powerful method tackles stubborn buildup but can be messy and isn’t ideal for fragile or older gutters.
Clean Roof Gutters with a Wet/Dry Vacuum
Another common household tool available with gutter cleaning attachments is a wet/dry vacuum or shop vac. The extended hose and specialized attachments will help you easily suck up debris from the ground. This option is effective for both wet and dry debris, but it may not be able to tackle heavy blockages and can require frequent emptying of the vacuum depending on how much buildup your gutters have.
Hire a Professional Gutter Cleaning Company
If none of the options above are feasible for you or you just aren’t ready for DIY gutter cleaning, hiring a professional gutter cleaning company is a great alternative. Minnesota homeowners can expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $300 depending on the size of their home and the condition of their gutters. With a professional gutter cleaning service, you can rest assured knowing the job will be done thoroughly and safely, but it is a recurring expense to consider, and scheduling may be difficult during peak seasons.
Invest in a Gutter Cleaning Tool to Clean your Gutters without a Ladder
For the most thorough gutter cleaning without a ladder, invest in tools specifically made for the job. Unlike attachments to ordinary tools we have around the house and garage, gutter cleaning tools are specifically designed to fit your gutters, making it easier on you and delivering a cleaner result. In addition to their effectiveness, they are also affordable, so they are a great investment for those taking the DIY approach.
Best Tools to Clean Gutters without a Ladder
With so many gutter cleaning products on the market, it can be hard to determine which one is appropriate for your situation. Each tool is made to make gutter cleaning safer and more manageable, either through telescoping poles or specially designed brushes. Gutter cleaning tools give you better reach and finer control, reducing strain and delivering a more thorough result, especially if you are navigating how to clean second story gutters. Let’s go through some of the best gutter cleaning tools so you can decide which ones are right for you and your home.
- Gutter cleaning scoop
- Gutter cleaning brush
- Gutter cleaning tongs
- Gutter guard
Gutter Cleaning Scoop
A gutter cleaning scoop is a simple, narrow scoop designed to easily scoop out leaves and other debris from your gutters. You can either use it on its own if you are able to reach the gutters from a safe position or attach it to an extendable pole. Gutter cleaning scoops are readily available online or at your local hardware store and are very affordable at an average cost of between $5 and $20.
Gutter Cleaning Brush
A gutter cleaning brush is a long, angled brush usually attached to an extendable pole that allows you to effectively sweep out gutter debris from the ground. While the gutter cleaning scoop works great on leaves and large debris, gutter cleaning brushes are best for smaller debris and dirt. Also readily available online or at your local hardware store, you can expect to pay between $20 and $40 for this tool.
Gutter Cleaning Tongs
One of the best ways to clean leaves out of gutters is by using gutter cleaning tongs, especially if the leaves are wet. These extendable grabbers grab and lift heavy debris and clogs that gutter cleaning scoops or brushes might not be able to handle. Gutter cleaning tongs are available online or at your local hardware store and are usually slightly more expensive than the other options at around $30 to $50.
Gutter Guard
To prevent debris from entering your gutters, consider installing gutter guards. The guards sit directly on top of your gutters and come in a variety of styles, including mesh screens or solid covers, allowing water to flow through but not debris. This preventative option reduces the need for cleaning tools and makes maintenance much easier. You can find gutter guards at your local hardware store or through a professional installation company, and they cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per square foot, depending on your location and the desired style.
Why Should You Clean Your Gutters?
Although gutter cleaning may seem like a hassle, it can prevent serious problems and costly repairs later on from improper water diversion due to clogging or ice dams. Your gutters serve one of the most important roles by moving water away from your home and protecting your roof, siding, foundation, and more. Regular gutter maintenance helps keep your gutters performing at their best, allowing for proper drainage of water away from your home.
When Should You Clean Gutters?
To keep your gutters running smoothly, plan to clean them at least twice per year. Spring and fall are best when the weather is milder, and debris is most likely to build up. We recommend that all our customers add gutter cleaning as part of their spring cleaning and fall winterizing checklists. However, if you live in a highly wooded area or an area, you may need to clean them more often. Even if you don’t clean your gutters regularly, there are certain signs you can look out for to indicate it’s time for a clean.
- Visible debris accumulation
- Leaking or overflowing water from the gutters
- Staining on your gutters or siding
Keeping your gutters clean is the first step in ensuring they perform at their best. Learn more about our essential gutter maintenance tips.
When Do You Need to Replace Your Gutters?
While regular cleaning and maintenance can help your gutters last longer, they eventually will need replacement. Use the opportunity while performing your routine cleaning to inspect for the below signs that your gutters are ready for replacement. See something, but not sure if it warrants replacement? Call in the professionals to evaluate. To help, here are some telltale signs that your gutters need to be replaced:
- Visible cracks or holes
- Sagging or detached sections
- Persistent leaks
Contact Minnesota Exteriors for Gutter Replacement Services
Even though gutter cleaning can be bothersome and time-consuming, you will be glad you took the time to do regular cleaning in the long run. Not only will regular gutter cleaning and maintenance extend the lifespan of your gutters, but it will also protect your home from pooling water, winter roof leaks, ice dams, and other severe issues.
When regular cleaning and repairs aren’t enough, it might be time for a gutter replacement. If you’re unsure, MEI can help. We offer free quotes and will work with you to inspect your current gutters and recommend the best plan forward for your home. Whether you need a complete replacement or expert advice, MEI has you covered.