How To Clean A Clogged Rain Gutter Downspout

Although maintenance on your home throughout the year can be time-consuming, it is essential. Not only does it help ensure that your home is protected against damage, but it can also save you money in the long run. While your home's interior can be more prone to getting the attention of concerned homeowners, the exterior of your property is just as important, including your gutter system.

Your gutter system is an important feature that collects rainwater and diverts it away from your property. However, the gutter system and downspouts can become clogged due to fallen debris that gets stuck. If this occurs, your home may be at risk of damage that could cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs. Therefore, if you want to learn how to clean clogged rain gutter downspouts, keep reading for more information.

How to clean clogged rain gutter downspouts

If your home has an open-faced gutter system without gutter guards, then cleaning your gutters is an important task to help protect your home from water damage. Before deciding your next course of action, take a look through some of the most frequently asked questions homeowners have about their clogged rain gutter downspouts.

How does a downspout work?

Your gutter system is designed to collect water as it drains from your roof. This water is then directed into downspouts and diverted away from your property. While your gutter system is installed horizontally along your home, your downspouts are the channels that connect vertically from the gutter and are angled at the base of your home and away from your property. Your downspouts are attached to your home using downspout straps. This helps ensure that your gutter system is securely attached to your home to prevent damage.

How to clean gutters and downspouts?

Cleaning your gutters and downspouts helps ensure that your home is protected against water damage. Therefore, to clean your gutters yourself, homeowners will need to have a sturdy ladder to be level with their gutters. Then, wearing thick garden gloves, you will need to reach into your gutter system to manually remove any fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris before collecting it in a bag below.

Once you have worked across your gutters, you can then use a hose to rinse your gutters clean to ensure there is no clogging. If the water is still having difficulty draining, you may need to feed a power washer into the top of your downspout to force any other debris to drain.

On the other hand, if you do not feel comfortable doing this yourself, you may choose to hire a professional company to clean your gutters for you instead. That way, you can help prevent injury and damage to your home.

Why is it important to clean your gutters and downspouts?

As mentioned above, your gutter system is meant to collect water and divert it away from your property. However, over time as it collects fallen debris, it can get clogged and prevent water from draining correctly. When this happens, your home can be at risk of:

• Damage to your home's siding, including staining, chipped paint and fading.
• Cracked concrete surrounding your home, including your driveway and walkways which can be dangerous and unappealing.
• Flooding and leaks in your basement caused by water seeping in through the cracks around your home.
• Erosion of your landscaping.
• Damage to your roof and upper levels of your home, including leaks and stains.
• Your gutter system detaching from your home due to increased water weight.

What do you need to clean clogged downspouts?

While hiring a professional to clean your clogged downspouts can help with preventing injuries and damage to your home, if you decide that you want to do this maintenance yourself, you will need:

• A sturdy ladder
• Thick garden gloves
• Bag to collect debris
• A hose
• A thick bristle brush
• A power washer

How often should you clean your gutters and downspouts?

If you have an open-faced gutter system installed on your home, you may need to clean your gutters 2 to 3 times a year, depending on where you live. Alternatively, if you don’t want to have to worry about cleaning your gutter system multiple times a year, homeowners also have the option of installing a LeafGuard® gutter system.

LeafGuard® gutters are uniquely designed to prevent fallen leaves, twigs, and other debris from collecting and clogging your gutters and downspouts. Accordingly, you won't have to worry about hiring a professional cleaning company or cleaning your gutter system yourself. Some other benefits of LeafGuard® gutters include:

• A one-piece gutter design made of durable aluminum to ensure your gutters are protected from damage against all types of weather conditions.
• LeafGuard® gutters come with a clog-free guarantee.
• These innovative gutter systems are coated with heavy-duty paint that will not peel, rot, crack, or rust to help maintain your home curbside appeal throughout the year.
• LeafGuard® gutter systems require less maintenance than traditional gutters.
• LeafGuard® downspouts are 30% larger than traditional gutters.

If LeafGuard® gutters sound like they could benefit your home and you want to learn more about installing them, book a free consultation with the experts at Local Home Pro today! One of our trusted gutter contractors that live in your area will be able to answer any questions that you have and give you an estimate for how much your project will cost. It’s that easy! Get started today!