How to Clean and Unclog Downspout
Downspouts are vertical pipes connected to the horizontal gutters of your home. It is an important part of the drainage system. Clogged downspouts can cause rainwater to back up and run down the gutter. This can damage the siding, foundation, and landscape and cause flooding in and around the home. Like your gutters, downspouts require regular maintenance. This article will discuss how to clean your downspout and unclog downspout if they are clogged.
How to Clean Downspouts?
Once you’ve cleaned the rain gutters, ensure the downspouts are cleaned. Use an extension ladder that is tall enough to reach the top of your gutters to clean downspouts. When going up the ladder to dispose of debris blocking the downspout, carry a bucket with you.
Remove leaves and debris from the opening above the downspout, which is connected to the gutter, and dispose of it in a bucket. Place a hose from the top to the downspout, where the gutter fills. Ask an assistant on the ground to turn on the water and check the downspout flow. Use a high-pressure hose so you can easily break the clog.
Insert the hose into the downspout, push and pull occasionally and see if you can push it up any. Pull it out when you are done cleaning it.
Once you feel you have cleaned the downspout, test the flow by running water through it. If your downspouts have horizontal extension pipes, check them for clogs as well and remove any obstructions you find.
How to Unclog Downspout?
If you clean the downspout using a garden hose. Your job is done when the water flows out the bottom and carries the leaf litter with it. But, if water backs up in the gutter, a clog is present in the downspout, and you must remove it.
For this, pack a small towel on top of the downspout and then insert a garden hose. Ask your helper to turn on the water. The seal you create may be enough to force the blockage out of the bottom opening.
However, if your gutter continues to back up despite doing this, you must remove the clog using a stick, handheld auger or power tools. Using these tools, you can also unclog the downspout from the ground.
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How to Unclog Downspout from Ground?
To unclog downspouts from the ground, you will need some tools that will allow you to access the clog. You will need a stick, handheld auger or power tools (leaf blower and pressure washer). Unlogging the downspout from the ground is a good practice and is safer than unlogging from a ladder.
Unclog Downspout Using a Stick
A stick is an easy solution to unclogging downspouts. Instead of a stick, you can use a spare piece of plywood or a plumbing snake. Start on the ground near the bottom of the downspout and firmly tap the outer sides and front of the pipe.
After inserting the stick into your downspout, try until it comes out the other end. If your wand gets stuck anywhere, it could be a clog. Try hitting the area repeatedly to break the clog. Clogs will break and fall to the ground due to gravity.
If the stick comes out the other end, wiggle it around in the downspout. To ensure the downspout is unclogged, pour water into it and check the flow at the bottom.
Unclog Downspout Using a Handheld Auger
A handheld auger is a good and easy way to unclog a downspout, even when you’re at ground level. When you’re ready, you can insert the auger through the bottom of the downspout.
Pull the metal end, which is usually ball or claw shaped, out of the cylindrical drum of the augar so that you have about 2-3 feet of line. Push the ball or claw into the end of the downspout so that the line goes toward your gutter.
You can do this by locking in the cable and then rotating the auger drum clockwise. Then unlock the cable and feed the cable so that the tip of the auger passes through each blockage.
Once you hit the obstacle, turn the handle counterclockwise to unclog the line. You will need to do this a few times. Once the downspout is unclogged, add a garden hose and turn on the water to help flush everything out and keep it clean. A 25-foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for about $30.
Unclog Downspout Using a Power Tools
A leaf blower, or pressure washer is a great solution for unclogging the downspout from the ground. These power tools are capable of removing stubborn debris. A lift blower removes dry debris, while a pressure washer works well for wet clogs.
Attach power tools (leaf blower or pressure washer) to the bottom of the downspout to unclog it. If you have one, place a drain attachment on the end of the leaf blower.
Position power tools snugly inside the bottom hole of the downspout and turn it on. To break the clog with power tools, wiggle it around, push and pull occasionally and see if you can push it over any. Pull it out when you are done cleaning it.
Downspout Clog Prevention
Clean your gutters twice a year to prevent downspout clogs. Start cleaning your gutters in the spring and fall when there is the most leaf litter. Climb a ladder and scoop out leaves and debris with a scoop or hand, so they don’t travel into your downspouts. Start at the hole of the downspout and go to the other end. Clean the gutter with your hose when you’re done.
Place gutter downspout screens around downspout holes to catch loose debris. Get a tall downspout screen that is large enough to completely cover the opening at the top of the downspout, or install gutter covers so leaves can’t get inside the downspout.
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When Should Downspouts Be Cleaned?
Downspouts should be cleaned at least twice a year. When you clean your gutters, remove leaves and debris from the top opening of the downspout, and pour water into it from a garden hose.
How to Clean Gutter Downspouts?
To clean gutters downspouts, use an extension ladder that is tall enough to reach the top of your gutters. When going up the ladder to dispose of debris blocking the downspout, carry a bucket with you.
Remove leaves and debris from the opening above the downspout connected to the gutter, and dispose of it in a bucket. Place a hose from the top to the downspout, where the gutter fills. Ask an assistant on the ground to turn on the water and check the downspout flow.
Use a high-pressure hose so you can easily break the clog. Insert the hose into the downspout, push and pull occasionally and see if you can push it up any. Pull it out when you are done cleaning it.
How to Unclog Gutter Downspout?
You can unclog a guttering downspout by pushing the seal with a towel or rag or using tools (such as a stick, handheld auger, or power tools).
How to Unclog a Gutter Downspout from the Ground?
To unclog gutter downspouts from the ground, you will need some tools that will allow you to access the clog. You will need a stick, handheld auger or power tools (leaf blower and pressure washer). Unlogging the downspout from the ground is a good practice and is safer than unlogging from a ladder.
How to Stop Leaves Blocking Downpipes?
Place gutter downspout screens around downspout holes to catch loose debris. Get a tall gutter screen that is large enough to completely cover the opening at the top of the downspout, or install gutter covers so leaves can’t get inside the downspout.
Best Way to Unclog Gutter Downspout
The best way to unclog a gutter downspout is to remove the clog using a handheld auger. Even if you are at ground level, a handheld auger is capable of unclogging a downspout. A 25-foot handheld drum auger can be purchased for around $30, which will help save you a lot of money on your regular downspout cleaning.
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