Cleaning downspouts and gutters should be done as often as possible. A clogged downspout or gutter can do damage to the siding, foundation and even the landscaping. If water gets stuck then it will cause them to rust early. If the house is situated in the country side, then it may be surrounded by large tress. There is also the possibility of more trees in the country side. The roof will turn into a giant leaf collector and the next time it rains, it will inevitably clog the downspout. Downspouts should be checked for any sort of clogging at least twice a year.

The basic concept behind downspout cleaning is to keep it clear of any debris. This is a relatively easy task to accomplish. All that is needed is a ladder, especially if the angle of the roof is very steep. Using a leaning ladder will do the job. The best and the safest way to do it is to lean it at 75 percent angle, before climbing up. After that you will need some gloves and a bucket. If you need an extended reach, then downspout cleaning rakes are available. If pine needles are involved, then the best thing to do is to scoop them out. If it filled mostly with loose leaves then a dry vac should be able to do the job.

As the gutters are cleaned make sure no debris gets into the downspout. If the downspout gets filled with debris, then you can use common household items to clean it. After getting as much as you can from the top, you should use a screw driver or a coat hanger to pull out any debris. Sometimes using your fingers will be enough. If you still find it clogged then using a garden hose will do the job. Let the water run through it and it will flush out any remaining debris. You should only take apart the downspout in extreme cases where the debris will be very stubborn. In this case taking it apart and giving it a good shake to take it out is the thing to do.

So far we have been talking about tree related debris such as leaves and twigs that can clog downspouts. But there are other culprits also such as loose roofing material and moss. Squirrels are also known to throw nuts into them to clog it up. If the clog looks very bad, then it may be best to get professional help to do the job properly.