With all the content available online these days, it can be hard to figure out what’s real and what’s hype.
asserted
what → figure → content
While we don’t always have the answers, we have a direct line to people who do — which is why we present to you our series The Internet Made Me Ask, where we have experts break down the truth about some of the buzziest trends (and questions) on our timelines, like how often you should wash jeans.
asserted
you → have → jeans
Cleaning your gutters is one of those fall chores where timing is everything.
asserted
timing → clean → chores
Do it too early, and you’ll likely find yourself back on the ladder a few weeks later once the rest of the leaves come down.
asserted
rest → do → leaves
If you wait too long, you risk clogged gutters overflowing during a rainstorm, which can lead to water damage around your roof, siding, and foundation.
asserted
which → wait → roof
I spoke to two experts to find out when you should clean your gutters and how to do it safely and effectively.
asserted
you → speak → it
When is the right time to clean your gutters?
asserted
time → clean → gutters
The best way to tell if it is time to clean your gutters is to look at the trees around your yard.
asserted
it → tell → yard
“Ideally, you want to do a major clean right after the majority of the leaves have fallen — usually late autumn,” says Zack Nienaber, owner of Nienaber and Sons Lawn Care in Cincinnati.
asserted
Nienaber → want → Cincinnati
“If you do it too early before the trees shed, you’ll just end up having to do it all over again once the rest drops.”
asserted
rest → do → it
That said, the exact timing depends on where you live and what kinds of trees surround your home, which is why you really need to let your yard be your guide rather than the calendar.
asserted
yard → say → home
Once the branches overhead look mostly bare, it’s time to get to work.
asserted
it → look → work
Just don’t put it off for too long: Gutters packed with leaves can’t drain properly, so the next heavy rain could send water spilling over the sides — and the U.S. has been seeing a lot of rain this season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What do you need to clean your gutters?
Cleaning your gutters probably isn’t anyone’s idea of a fun weekend, but it doesn’t have to be miserable, either.
uncertain
it → put → weekend
I’m sharing expert steps on how to do it below, but first, here are some tools that can make the job faster, safer, and a lot less messy.
asserted
job → share → it
These are the types of tools the experts I spoke to suggest having on hand before you start.
asserted
you → speak → hand
A good extension ladder will help you reach the gutters, says Nienaber.
asserted
Nienaber → help → gutters
This fiberglass extension ladder reaches up to 21 feet when fully extended, giving you enough height to get to second-story gutters.
asserted
ladder → reach → gutters
It supports up to 300 pounds and has slip-resistant, D-shaped rungs to help you keep your footing while you work.
asserted
you → support → footing
The swivel safety shoes at the base help keep the ladder steady.
asserted
shoes → help → ladder
One helpful tip: “Don’t lean the ladder against the gutters — it can bend or crush them,” says Nienaber.
asserted
Nienaber → lean → them
Nienaber says a plastic gutter scooper can help you get debris out while protecting your hands.
asserted
you → say → hands
This one is made from high-impact polypropylene and has a deep, curved scoop that lets you grab big clumps of wet leaves at once.
asserted
you → make → leaves
It also has an ergonomic handle and fits most gutters, according to the brand.
uncertain
It → have → brand
Gloves protect your hands from sharp twigs, rough gutter edges, and all the wet muck you’ll be scooping out.
asserted
you → protect → twigs
This pair has padded synthetic leather palms that help you keep a firm grip on your ladder and tools, plus a stretchy, breathable back so your hands stay comfortable.
asserted
hands → have → ladder
They’re also flexible enough that you can handle a scoop or hose.
asserted
you → ’re → scoop
If you’d rather stay off a ladder, this cordless leaf blower comes with a 4.5-foot attachment that lets you clear leaves from your gutters while standing on the ground.
asserted
you → stay → ground
It has a brushless motor with two speed settings.
asserted
It → have → settings
The kit also comes with two 40-volt batteries and a charger.
asserted
kit → come → batteries
How to clean your gutters
- Take time to set up your station: Before you start pulling out leaves, set yourself up to work safely.
asserted
you → clean → yourself
“Make sure your ladder is on stable, level ground,” says Nienaber, who also suggests wearing thick gloves.
uncertain
who → make → gloves
“I then like to scoop the debris out by hand into a bucket rather than blasting everything down the downspout (the vertical pipe that goes from gutter to ground) and packing it solid.”
asserted
that → like → it
- Create a game plan for the process: Where you start matters, too.
asserted
start → create → process
“Begin at the downspout and proceed to the far end of the gutter — this way, you will clear the downspout opening first and prevent yourself from pushing debris into it,” says Constantine Anest, owner of Ethos Roofing & Restoration in Denver.
asserted
Anest → begin → Denver
- Rinse last: After you’ve removed the leaves and twigs, finish with a rinse.
asserted
you → rinse → rinse
“Once the bulk is out, flush the system with a hose to make sure the water flows freely through the spouts,” says Nienaber.
asserted
Nienaber → flush → spouts
Frequently asked questions
Putting off the job can lead to much bigger and more expensive problems than a few stray leaves.
asserted
Putting → ask → leaves
“It gets messy fast — heavy, wet leaves turn into packed sludge that adds a ton of weight, which can pull the gutters right off the fascia boards,” says Nienaber.
asserted
Nienaber → get → boards
“Worse, blocked water overflows right against your foundation, which leads to basement leaks, or it freezes up into ice dams when winter hits.”
asserted
winter → block → dams
In other words, an hour or two on a ladder this fall could save you from costly repairs down the line.
uncertain
hour → save → line
…and 9 more, not listed.
The Aporia
