Have you noticed your gutters have somehow morphed into a de facto extension of your garden, with plant life starting to sprout here and there? Perhaps it’s time to figure out how to clean the gutters on your two-story house.
Keeping your gutters clean is more than just creating curb appeal. More importantly, it’s about protecting your home from serious water damage. Clogged gutters can cause overflow that seeps into siding, roofs, even the foundation itself. They can also lead to mold growth and attract pests.
As any reputable home inspector will tell you, 10 times out of 10, water wins.
For two-story homes, the stakes — and the ladders — are even higher. While some homeowners take the DIY route, cleaning gutters on a tall house brings unique safety and technical challenges. Here’s how to do it right, and when it’s best to bring in the professionals.
Why Gutter Cleaning Matters
Clean gutters protect your home’s structure by channeling rainwater safely away. When gutters fill with leaves, twigs, or roof moss, water overflows instead of draining. That overflow can:
- Damage your siding, soffits, and roof edges.
- Soak into the ground near your foundation, leading to cracks or settling.
- Encourage mold and mildew growth that affects indoor air quality.
- Shorten your gutters’ lifespan by causing rust or sagging.
Routine maintenance helps you avoid expensive repairs and keeps your home looking sharp.
Tools You’ll Need for DIY Gutter Cleaning
If you’re confident tackling the job yourself, the right tools make all the difference:
- Extension ladder with stabilizer or standoff arms to rest safely against the roofline.
- Work gloves and safety goggles to protect against sharp debris and splashes.
- Gutter scoop or trowel for removing packed material.
- Garden hose with spray nozzle to flush out dirt and check flow.
- Bucket or tarp to collect debris and keep your landscaping tidy.
Step-by-Step: Cleaning Gutters on a Two-Story House
For the DIY warrior, here’s how to get it done:
Safety First
Always place your ladder on stable, level ground, maintaining a proper climbing angle, roughly one foot out for every four feet of ladder height. Have someone nearby to act as a spotter if possible. Never lean too far to one side; move the ladder instead. Gloves and goggles will protect your hands and eyes from sharp or dirty debris.
Remove Debris
Use your gutter scoop or trowel to lift out leaves, twigs, and moss, placing them into your bucket or onto a tarp below. Avoid pushing debris into the downspouts; it can cause clogs deeper in the system that are harder to remove.
Flush Gutters
Once most debris is gone, use your garden hose to rinse remaining dirt and check for proper water flow. Watch for areas where water pools or drains slowly, as these may indicate low spots or clogs.
Check the Downspouts
If water backs up or trickles slowly through, there’s likely a clog in the downspout. Try flushing it from the top or bottom with your hose. For stubborn blockages, a plumber’s snake or pressure nozzle may be needed.
Inspect for Damage
As you work, look for rust spots, cracks, loose hangers, or sagging sections. Minor tightening or patching is fine for a capable DIYer. But more extensive issues — especially with two-story gutter systems — should be left to a professional.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced homeowners can make these missteps:
- Overreaching from a ladder instead of moving it properly.
- Ignoring clogged downspouts, which can cause the same overflow issues as a full gutter.
- Skipping safety gear, risking injury from sharp metal or debris.
- Neglecting gutter slope, allowing standing water to damage seals and seams.
When to Call a Professional
While DIY cleaning can work for single-story homes, two-story houses bring a much higher level of risk. It’s time to call a pro when:
- Your gutters are too high or difficult to access safely.
- You’re dealing with heavy clogs, moss buildup, or compacted debris.
- Gutters show signs of leaks, sagging, or bracket failure.
- You’d prefer to avoid the risk of falls, ladder injuries, or property damage.
How a Pro Can Make the Job Easier
Professional gutter cleaners have the right equipment to reach high or complex rooflines safely, often without even using ladders. Their tools allow for faster, more thorough cleaning, and many services include a complete system inspection. This helps identify small leaks, seam separations, or slope problems before they cause damage.
Capon Cleaning is a family-owned exterior cleaning specialist based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that has been serving the DC metro area since 1976. Our top-notch team removes blockages by hand and with specialized tools, bags the debris, and flushes the downspouts to ensure water flows freely. The result: a clean, functional gutter system and a brighter home exterior, all without you having to climb a ladder.
Hiring professionals saves time, ensures a more comprehensive result, and provides peace of mind knowing your gutters are protecting your home the way they should.
Hit the “Easy” Button, Skip the Hassle and the Risk
Regular gutter cleaning is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent water damage and maintain your home’s value. For two-story houses, the combination of height and safety risks often makes calling a professional the smarter move.
Need to protect your home from costly water damage, and DIY is out of your league or you just don’t have the time? Get in touch today with Capon Cleaning, your professional cleaning contractors in the DC metro area, to schedule your next gutter service.
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