Clean gutters without a ladder
Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:34 pm
There are a number of proposed solutions to this issue. Some work better than others.
My favorite method is to use an extension ladder, which requires 2 people because it is ridiculously unwieldy, climb up onto the roof with my leaf blower, and walk along the edge of the roof blowing the leaves out. It only takes a few passes and the gutter is clear. Problem is, getting someone to help with the ladder can be difficult, and this really does need to be done multiple times per year. So Bill mentioned wet/dry vac extensions and either using it as a vacuum or using it as a blower. Mine can't be used as a blower, but I do have a decent gas leaf blower. I thought about doing extensions on that but they are not the right size.
I looked into it more and the best available and reasonably priced solution I could come up with was 2x3" vinyl gutter downspout. I bought 3 10 foot sections. I bought 2 couplers. And I bought two elbows and connected them together which turned the air around like 150° or so. I used short sheet metal screws, kind of like the kind you'd use on actual downspouts, to hold the sections together. Oh I also bought 2 hose clamps to clamp the downspout around the leaf blower chute thing.
I ended up with 3 different sizes since I basically have 3 different heights of gutter. A 10 foot length for the garage/great room. A ~16 foot length for the front of the house. And a short 4 foot length for the deck gutter.
Technique was key. Turning the air sideways really helps but it requires a pretty firm hand/arm to hold it all steady. But I began to get the hang of it and it does work. These were in the gutter on the front of the garage roof area. Here is a ridiculous 20 foot section which was actually too long. I cut it down later on. I got the elbow for allowing me to hold the whole contraption so the downspout is strongest, the long way.
My favorite method is to use an extension ladder, which requires 2 people because it is ridiculously unwieldy, climb up onto the roof with my leaf blower, and walk along the edge of the roof blowing the leaves out. It only takes a few passes and the gutter is clear. Problem is, getting someone to help with the ladder can be difficult, and this really does need to be done multiple times per year. So Bill mentioned wet/dry vac extensions and either using it as a vacuum or using it as a blower. Mine can't be used as a blower, but I do have a decent gas leaf blower. I thought about doing extensions on that but they are not the right size.
I looked into it more and the best available and reasonably priced solution I could come up with was 2x3" vinyl gutter downspout. I bought 3 10 foot sections. I bought 2 couplers. And I bought two elbows and connected them together which turned the air around like 150° or so. I used short sheet metal screws, kind of like the kind you'd use on actual downspouts, to hold the sections together. Oh I also bought 2 hose clamps to clamp the downspout around the leaf blower chute thing.
I ended up with 3 different sizes since I basically have 3 different heights of gutter. A 10 foot length for the garage/great room. A ~16 foot length for the front of the house. And a short 4 foot length for the deck gutter.
Technique was key. Turning the air sideways really helps but it requires a pretty firm hand/arm to hold it all steady. But I began to get the hang of it and it does work. These were in the gutter on the front of the garage roof area. Here is a ridiculous 20 foot section which was actually too long. I cut it down later on. I got the elbow for allowing me to hold the whole contraption so the downspout is strongest, the long way.