How To Clean Clogged Rain Gutter Downspout

If you still haven t identified the location of the clog and you have downspouts that descend below ground level then the clog likely is in an underground pipe.

How to clean clogged rain gutter downspout. Expose the bottom downspout opening divert the flow away from any landscape drain and then use a garden trowel to reach up into the opening and remove any clogged leaves and debris that could have accumulated there. Remove the downspout extension if present to expose the bottom opening. All you need to do is fix it while you also learn how to clean gutters. If you wait until spring or summer the downspouts elbows and drop outlets are usually already clogged.

Rain gutters get clogged with leaves and other debris over time so it s best to clean them regularly to avoid more difficult work later. Firstly inspect the gutter to see if there exists a connecting bracket that has worked itself loose. Many of these pipes are placed underground to avoid the eyesore of pipes laying on the ground next to your house. A rain gutter drain pipe is usually installed to carry water away from your house.

When you fail to clear out a clogged downspout water backs up and the excess water may damage the exterior and foundation. To unclog a gutter downspout try your easiest options first. Working your way down from the gutter tap the outside of the downspout with a screwdriver and listen for a dull thud as opposed to hollow ring. Start by cleaning the bottom downspout opening.

Often homeowners remember to clear out gutters but forget downspouts which means that water flows down smoothly from the roof through the gutters and then gets stuck in a clogged downspout. Late autumn or early winter or whenever the trees are bare is the right time to clean out your gutters. Clearly you don t want sodium chemical compounds in your drinking or garden water so if you collect rain water it s pretty obvious that using drano in gutters in a non starter. Wait for mild weather conditions to clean the downspouts.

Clean the bottom downspout opening. If you find one with the aid of new pilot holes simply replace the bracket at a slightly higher or lower position than its. Rain passes down the roof hits the gutters and finally is dumped to the ground or into rain collection barrels. The presence of a loose downspout doesn t signify the end of the world for your guttering.

If you don t have experience working on ladders or you re not comfortable with heights hire a professional gutter cleaning service to tackle the job. This will indicate the location of the clog. Many people wait until the spring but it s much better to clean out the leaves prior to all the winter snow melt and spring rains. Then use a ladder to reach the top of the downspout insert a.