Step-by-Step Guide: How to Clean Your Gutters Effectively

Why Gutter Cleaning Matters in Canberra

Clean gutters are essential for protecting your home from water damage. In Canberra, where heavy storm events can dump 20 to 40mm of rain in under an hour, blocked gutters overflow quickly, sending water cascading down your walls, pooling around your foundations, and sometimes backing up under your roof sheeting or tiles.

Canberra's mix of deciduous European trees in the inner suburbs and native eucalyptus across the outer areas means gutters collect debris year-round. Suburbs like Ainslie, Turner, O'Connor, and Deakin have heavy autumn leaf fall, while areas like Duffy, Rivett, and Chapman deal with bark, twigs, and gum leaves throughout the year.

We recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice a year - once in late autumn after the major leaf fall and once in late spring before storm season. If you have large overhanging trees, you may need to clean them more frequently.

Safety First - The Most Important Step

Before we get into the cleaning process, we need to be very clear about safety. Falls from ladders are one of the most common causes of serious injury and death in Australian homes. Every year, hundreds of Australians are hospitalised after falling from ladders during home maintenance tasks.

Essential safety rules for gutter cleaning:

• Never work alone: Always have someone at the base of the ladder who can steady it and call for help if needed.
• Use the right ladder: An extension ladder or sturdy A-frame rated to support your weight plus your tools. Never stand on the top two rungs.
• Set up on firm, level ground: If the ground is soft, muddy, or sloped, use a ladder leveller or find a better position.
• Maintain three points of contact: Two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, on the ladder at all times.
• Do not overreach: Move the ladder frequently rather than leaning to one side. Overreaching is the primary cause of ladder falls.
• Avoid working on wet or frosty mornings: Both the ladder rungs and the roof edge become dangerously slippery. In Canberra, wait until any frost has melted completely.
• Wear gloves and eye protection: Gutters often contain sharp debris, insect nests, and decomposing organic matter.

If your home is more than single storey, the roof is steep, or you are not confident working at height, please call a professional. The cost of a professional gutter clean is far less than the cost of a fall.

Tools You Will Need

• A sturdy ladder (extension or A-frame, depending on gutter height)
• Thick work gloves
• Safety glasses
• A gutter scoop or small garden trowel
• A bucket or heavy-duty garbage bag to collect debris
• A garden hose with a spray nozzle (or a pressure washer on a low setting)
• A stiff-bristled brush for stubborn grime
• A bucket hook to hang your collection bucket on the ladder

Step 1 - Clear Loose Debris

Starting at the end of the gutter furthest from the downpipe, use your gutter scoop or trowel to remove leaves, twigs, dirt, and sludge. Work your way along the gutter toward the downpipe outlet. Place debris into your bucket or bag - do not throw it on the ground below as it creates extra clean-up and can block drains.

The sludge at the bottom of the gutter is usually the worst part. In Canberra, decomposed eucalyptus leaves create a thick, dark slurry that blocks water flow even when the gutter looks relatively clear from the ground.

Step 2 - Flush With Water

Once you have removed the bulk of the debris, use your garden hose to flush the gutter from the high end toward the downpipe. This clears remaining fine sediment and lets you check that water is flowing freely toward and into the downpipe.

Watch the water flow carefully. If it pools in certain areas instead of flowing steadily toward the downpipe, the gutter may have sagged at those points and may need re-securing to the fascia.

Step 3 - Check and Clear Downpipes

If water backs up at the downpipe inlet, there is likely a blockage. Try flushing it with the hose directed straight down the pipe. For stubborn blockages, a plumber's snake or a high-pressure nozzle attachment can dislodge compacted debris. If the blockage is deep in the pipe or at an elbow, a professional may be needed.

Step 4 - Inspect for Damage

While you have access, inspect the gutters for signs of wear:

• Rust spots or holes in the gutter body
• Gaps or leaks at gutter joints
• Loose, missing, or corroded gutter brackets
• Sagging sections where the gutter has pulled away from the fascia
• Signs of water damage or rot on the fascia behind the gutter

Small rust spots can be treated with a rust converter and patched. Leaking joints can be resealed with gutter sealant. But if you see widespread corrosion, multiple sagging sections, or fascia damage, it is time to call a professional for assessment.

Should You Install Gutter Guards?

Gutter guards - mesh or solid covers that sit over or inside your gutters - can significantly reduce the frequency of gutter cleaning. They are particularly worthwhile for Canberra homes with heavy tree cover. However, they are not maintenance-free. Debris still accumulates on top of the guards and needs periodic clearing, and fine sediment can build up underneath over time.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional gutter cleaner or roofer if your home is two or more storeys, the roof pitch is steep, you have limited mobility, there is significant damage that needs repair, or the gutters have not been cleaned in several years. We offer gutter cleaning as part of our maintenance services across all ACT suburbs. Call (02) 5133 5608 or book online.