How to Clean a Gutter Downspout

Step 1: Clean the Gutter Trough First

Before touching the downspout, clear the gutter trough above it. Use a gutter scoop or gloved hand to remove leaves, debris, and sludge. If you flush the downspout before doing this, you’ll just push more material down into the pipe.

Scoop debris into a bucket or onto a tarp as you go, working in sections until the trough above the downspout is clear.

Step 2: Test the Downspout with a Hose

Put your garden hose at the top of the downspout and run the water at full pressure. Watch the bottom of the pipe.

• Water flows freely: Your downspout is clear. You’re done here.
• Water trickles or backs up: There’s a partial or full blockage somewhere in the pipe.

Step 3: Try Flushing from the Bottom

If water backed up, try running the hose from the bottom opening of the downspout and pushing the water flow upward. This approach dislodges lightweight debris and can break apart softer blockages without much effort.

Step 4: Use a Plumber’s Snake for Stubborn Clogs

For a clog that won’t flush out, feed a plumber’s snake or drain auger into the downspout from the top. Work it down slowly, rotating as you go, to break up or grab the blockage. Once you feel resistance ease up, pull the snake out and flush the pipe again with the hose.

This is the most effective method for compacted leaves, mud, or debris that’s built up over time. A pressure nozzle or hose extension attachment can help you reach deeper into longer downspout runs.

Step 5: Remove and Clear the Downspout by Hand (If Needed)

If flushing and snaking don’t solve the problem, you may need to take the downspout apart. Use a screwdriver or drill to remove the screws or straps holding it to the wall, and detach the sections. Once it’s off, you can shake out or hose out the blockage directly.

Reassemble the sections securely and refasten the straps to the wall when done. If a section is cracked or bent, this is a good time to replace it. Many downspout products are available at home improvement stores in standard sizes.

Step 6: Do a Final Flush

Once the clog is cleared, run the hose from the top of the downspout one more time to confirm water flows freely all the way through. Check the bottom to make sure nothing is backing up.

Keep Water Moving Away From Your Foundation

The place water exits at the bottom of your downspout matters just as much as how it gets there. Without a proper downspout extension or splash block directing water away from the house, you can still end up with pooling near the foundation even when the downspout itself is clear.

Common options at the base of a downspout:

• Splash block: A concrete or plastic channel that redirects water flow away from the foundation. Simple and low-maintenance.
• Downspout extension: A flexible or rigid extension that adds length to the pipe, moving the discharge point several feet away from the house.
• Rain barrel: Collects water at the base for later use in the garden. A good choice if you want to reduce runoff.
• Underground drain/sump pump: Routes water beneath the surface to a drain point further from the home. Sump pumps are sometimes part of this setup in areas prone to heavy water accumulation. 
• Rain garden: A planted depression in the yard that absorbs and filters runoff naturally.

The right extension length depends on the grade of your yard. The soil around your home should slope away from the foundation wall at a drop of at least 5 inches over the first 10 feet. If your yard is flat or slopes toward the house, a longer extension helps move water further out before it soaks in.

If you’re noticing erosion or wet spots near your foundation, it’s worth taking a look at what’s happening at the bottom of your downspout, not just inside it.

How Often Should You Clean Your Downspouts?