Gutter maintenance is an essential part of all home and commercial building care. It’s important to keep the main part of your gutters clean and free of dirt and debris – but how do you clean your gutter downpipes?
Read on to learn our simple step-by-step guide to cleaning gutter downpipes, and how our professional gutter cleaning service could be useful if you find that DIY cleaning isn’t the best option for you.
Where Are Gutter Downpipes Located?
You can find your gutter downpipes on the corner of your home. Usually, downpipes stretch from the end of the gutter at the beginning of the roof, to a ground-level drain.
Gutter downpipes are installed to ensure smooth water flow from guttering systems to drains, preventing the risk of overflow. To find your gutter downpipes, you should inspect the base of your gutter from one end to the other, and you will eventually find your gutter downpipe.
If you are struggling to locate your gutter downpipes, it could be because they are old. Older guttering systems may have downpipes that are buried underground and directed to a hidden drainage point. If this is the case, now may be the time to get a professional in.
Clean Your Gutter Downpipes in 5 Easy Steps
Cleaning your gutter downpipes is simple and doesn’t require too much work. Make sure you are carrying out your cleaning on a dry day and gathering the relevant equipment needed before you start.
What you will need:
- Protective gloves
- A trowel
- A bucket
- A ladder
- A ladder bucket hook (optional)
- Tarpaulin (optional for easy clean up)
- Hose pipe
Step 1 –
We recommend working with another person during DIY cleans so that they can support the ladder for you during your cleaning.
Checking and making sure that there is no water pooling around the outlet of your gutters before you start is very important. This is a clear sign of a blockage in the downpipe.
If there is no blockage, simply take your hose pipe and begin to flush water through the gutter downpipe, paying attention to the sides of the downpipe to ensure you are removing all debris. However, if there is a blockage, stick around for the next steps on how to fix it.
Step 2
Fish out as much gunk and debris as you can with your gloved hand. If a fast stream of water doesn’t begin to flow, gently bang on the downpipe with your fist to dislodge anything that may be stuck.
Step 3
If the downpipe is still clogged, detach the downpipes from their hooks and check where the pipe bends, as that could potentially be causing the blockage. You can then clear debris before re-attaching the downpipe.
Step 4
Once the downpipe is clear of visible debris, take a hose pipe again, and begin to flush through to clean the inside.
You can then take some warm soapy water and a cloth and begin to wipe down the exterior of the downpipe to remove any dirt. This step is optional.
Step 5
If your downpipes are still clogged and you can’t find the source of the problem, reach out to the professionals – such as ourselves here at Total Gleam.
Should I DIY Clean My Gutters?
On the topic of cleaning your gutter downpipes, it may be time to clean your gutters. This however is a recommended job for professionals.
During seasonal changes, your gutters are susceptible to clogging. This is due to leaves, branches and debris that accumulate in the base of your gutters. If not removed correctly, your gutters will become clogged, making it difficult for water to flow through as it should.
When the water can’t filter through properly, it can lead to water damage, damage to gutters, and even mould. Our professionals can remove all dirt and debris from your gutter efficiently, using modern state-of-the-art telescopic gutter vacuum technology and a water-fed pole for cleaning solutions.
It’s recommended to have your gutters professionally cleaned at least twice a year. However, if you clean your gutters by yourself, they will likely need to be cleaned more often.
Professional Gutter Cleaning With Total Gleam
At Total Gleam, we specialise in professional exterior cleaning, delivering exceptional results to all of our customers. We offer a wide range of cleaning services suitable for your home or commercial property.
Home maintenance doesn’t have to be tricky to keep up with, as we specialise in:
- Roof cleaning
- Render cleaning
- Gutter cleaning
- Driveway & patio cleaning
- Pressure washing
- Brick cleaning
- Drain unblocking
- Bird proofing
If you would like to know more about our commercial gutter cleaning service, get in touch with a member of our team, who can answer any questions you may have and give you a free no-obligation quote.
Professional Gutter Cleaning FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about our professional cleaning service. Don’t see your question? Reach out to our team today.
The recommended season for professional gutter cleaning is the end of autumn after most leaves have fallen. And then again at the beginning of spring to remove all seeds and pollen.
When your gutters are clogged, it prevents the water from moving freely. This leads to your gutters overfilling and having nowhere to drain. When the water has nowhere else to go, it seeps into your home, leaving water damage and mould on your walls.
No, most gutters can be accessed from the outside. We will schedule an appointment for a time that suits you and we can also provide before and after images and videos.
No need to miss out on our excellent gutter cleaning service because of your schedule! Our team works around you. Whether that means early morning, late evening, or weekend appointments.
