When You Should Clean or Inspect and How Often

• Twice a year is a good baseline — typically spring and fall, to catch buildup from fallen leaves, pollen, or winter debris. 

• If you live near trees, or have lots of leaves and pine needles falling on your roof you might need to check more often. 

• Also inspect after heavy storms, major roof debris, or when you notice water overflow, sagging gutters, or downspouts that don’t drain well.

How to Safely Perform Gutter & Downspout Maintenance

If you decide to do this yourself, safety should be your top priority. Gutter maintenance often involves ladders and heights which can be especially risky if you’re older, less steady on your feet, or have mobility issues.

✅ Safety First 

• Use a sturdy, high-quality ladder on firm, level ground; avoid unstable or uneven surfaces.

• Consider a ladder stabilizer or stand-off (so the ladder doesn’t rest directly on the gutter). This protects both your ladder’s stability and the gutter’s integrity.

• Observe the “three-points of contact” rule: at all times, keep two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot on the ladder. Don’t overreach; move the ladder instead.

• Use proper protective gear: heavy-duty gloves (to guard against sharp metal, nails, or debris), non-slip shoes or boots, and safety glasses if possible (especially if flushing debris with water). 

• Run the job on a dry, calm day. Avoid rain, ice, strong wind, or wet gutters/roof surfaces.

If you feel unsteady or unwell, or if your home is more than one story strongly consider hiring a professional instead of risking a fall.

Step-by-Step Gutter & Downspout Maintenance Checklist

1. Clear Out Debris: 

 leaves, twigs, dirt, pine needles, or anything that might block water flow. A small gutter scoop or even gloved hands are fine. Use a bucket or bag to collect debris so it doesn’t fall all over your yard. 

2. Flush Gutters & Downspouts with Water

after removing big debris, use a garden hose to rinse out any fine dirt or residual material. Start from the end farthest from the downspout so water flows through the system. 

3. Check Downspouts for Clogs 

water should flow freely down and away from your foundation. If flow is slow, use a plumber’s snake or a hose with some pressure to clear blockages. 

4. Inspect Gutters & Downspouts for Damage 

look for rust, cracks, loose fasteners or brackets, sagging or sections pulling away from fascia boards, damaged seams, or leaks. Damaged components can cause leaks or improper drainage later.

5. Check Gutter Slope / Pitch (if you have the ability) 

gutters should slope slightly toward the downspouts (often a small slope, roughly ¼ inch per 10 feet of gutter) to ensure proper drainage. If the slope is off, water may pool or overflow instead of draining properly. 

6. Ensure Downspouts Drain Water Away from Foundation 

long-term drainage away from your house foundation helps prevent water damage, basement leaks, or soil erosion near the foundation. If downspouts discharge too close to the home, consider extensions or splash blocks.

7. Repeat Regularly 

at least twice a year (spring and fall), more often if your home is surrounded by trees or after big storms.