Clean Clogged Gutter Downspout

Remove the downspout from the pipe.

Clean clogged gutter downspout.

Pull the underground drain which is often a black. Start by cleaning the bottom downspout opening. Feed the hose up the downspout from the ground. After the gutters are clean and the water used for flushing isn t draining quickly check the downspout for clogs and any lodged debris.

This is especially important if the downspout is connected to an underground drain. Turn on a garden hose to its most powerful setting and run water through the drain pipe. If you see water backing up you have a clog. You have to remove the spout to access the downpipe.

The downspout is the pipe that runs down the building from the gutter to the underground downpipe. Check to see if water and debris come out the other end of the pipe. Otherwise trying to remove the clog may simply push it further down. If you see water flowing over the edges of your gutters and not through your downspouts your downspouts are most likely clogged with a small object or leaves and twigs.

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. Late autumn or early winter or whenever the trees are bare is the right time to clean out your gutters. If the amount of water coming out is less than what is going in there is a blockage. Turn the hose on and spray down the spout.

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. Remove the screws at the top of the downspout connecting it to the gutter. Clean the bottom downspout opening remove the downspout extension if present to expose the bottom opening. If you wait until spring or summer the downspouts elbows and drop outlets are usually already clogged.

Although you can t see into these drains cleaning them is similar to a process used to clear debris from the side gutter pipes on your house. Remove the downspout from a connecting drain place a garden hose inside the downspout and turn the water on. Disconnect the gutter downspout from where it connects to the drain pipe. Gutters and downspouts can get clogged with leaves and debris that hinder the proper operation of the system so keeping them clean and flowing freely is essential.