Just like gutters, downpipes can become blocked too. If the gutter system overflows after cleaning the gutters or there are no obvious clogs in the gutter trough, there could be blockages inside the downspouts. If the clog isn’t readily visible around the gutter outlet, then the debris has most likely become trapped inside and can be harder to find. Here are some simple tips to unblock your clogged downpipes.
Tools You Might Need
Using the right tools for any home maintenance task is half the battle.
Hose: A garden hose with a spray nozzle and a pistol-grip handle is the preferable choice over a power or pressure washer. Especially if you have aluminum gutters, a power washer might be a little too powerful, even on a low setting.
Ladder: A sturdy ladder in good condition and the right height to comfortably reach the top of the downpipes will help you access the gutter system safely.
Removing clogs: Use a plumber’s snake to pull out the clog or an auger to power through a blockage and then break it up. A gutter vacuum is also good for removing clogs that are semi-decomposing (more sludge than twigs).
Screwdriver: Should you have to remove a section of the downpipe, you will need a screwdriver for loosening the fasteners that secure the downspouts to the exterior wall.
Find the Blockage
Start by setting up a ladder near the downpipe, typically located at a corner where two walls meet. Use a ladder stabilizer to protect the ladder from coming into direct contact with aluminum gutters. Climb the ladder until you can see the gutter outlet where the downspout connects to the gutter system.
If there is debris, clear it away with gloved hands. Insert a garden hose into the gutter outlet. Watch how the water exits the downpipe – if it trickles then there is probably one or more clogs inside the downspouts.
Tap, Tap, Tap
When leaves, twigs, and other organic materials break down into smaller bits of debris, they can enter the downpipes and become snagged on protruding edges inside the pipes. Over time, the snagged debris can grow large enough to stop water from draining out of the gutter system.
If the gutter outlet is free of debris, look down into the downspout. As long as a clog is visible, it might be easily removed with gutter tongs. To locate where a clog is inside the pipe, from the ladder, gently tap the outside of the downspout at the top. If the sound is clear there’s no blockage; if the sound is muffled, you have located the clog.
When you don’t locate the blockage on the first try, continue tapping down the length of the downpipe until you find the clog or clogs.
Remove the Downspouts
If the clog is in a hard-to-reach place, try removing it with an auger, plumber’s snake or a power vac. Then run water through the downpipes with the garden hose. When all else fails, carefully remove the section of the downspout where the tapping was muffled – you will be able to clear out the debris more easily now that the section of downpipe is on the ground.
Objects
Don’t overlook the obvious. Blockages can be caused by almost any kind of debris, including single objects such as balls and small toys that enter the gutters and hang out by the gutter outlet.
