Short answer
To clear a clogged downspout, start at the bottom. Tap it to find the clog, take off the bottom elbow and pull out the leaves with gloved hands. Then push a garden hose up from the bottom and run water until it flows freely. Put the elbow back with an extension so the water lands away from the house. If it drains into a clogged underground pipe, call a pro.
Safety first
Work from the ground. If you have to reach the top of the downspout, do it on a dry day with someone holding the ladder, and on a two-story home leave it to a pro.
How to clear a clogged downspout
1The gutter overflows at the corner
Water spills right where the downspout starts, and little comes out the bottom. The downspout is clogged.
Read all the steps
- The gutter overflows at the corner. Water spills right where the downspout starts, and little comes out the bottom. The downspout is clogged.
- Tap it to find the clog. Tap your way up the downspout. A dull thud instead of a hollow sound shows where the leaves are packed.
- Take off the bottom elbow and clear it. Pull the elbow off or undo its screws. With gloves, pull out the leaves and mud from the bottom, as far up as you reach.
- Push a hose up from the bottom. Feed the hose up the downspout and turn it on. The water loosens the clog and pushes it out. Repeat until it runs clear.
- Put it back with an extension. An extension or a splash block carries the water away from the foundation. Now it flows down and away.
- Still not fixed? Call a roofer Especially if: the clog is underground or the buried pipe backs up.
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If the downspout goes into the ground
Some downspouts drain into a buried pipe. If water backs up at ground level, the clog is underground. A garden hose can push out a small clog. If it does not, a gutter pro or a plumber can clear the pipe with a drain snake or check it with a camera.
Keep it from clogging again
- Clean the gutters twice a year, more under trees.
- Put a strainer over the hole where the gutter drains into the downspout.
- Check the bottom elbow after big storms: that is where leaves pack first.
- Point the extension away from walkways and the driveway, where the water can freeze in winter.
What not to do
- Do not pound the downspout with a hammer: the thin metal dents and the seams open.
- Do not climb onto the roof to work from the top.
- Do not pour drain chemicals into a downspout: they end up in the soil and the storm drain.
When to call a roofer
- The clog is underground or the buried pipe backs up.
- The clog is near the top of a two-story home.
- The downspout is crushed, split or pulled off the wall.
- Water still pools at the foundation or gets into the basement.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my downspout is clogged?
The gutter overflows near the corner where the downspout starts, and little water comes out the bottom. Tapping it helps: a clogged section sounds dull.
Can I unclog a downspout without a ladder?
Usually, yes. Most clogs sit at the bottom elbow. Take it off, clear the leaves and push a garden hose up from below.
Can I use a plumbing snake on a downspout?
Yes, a small hand snake works for stubborn clogs, fed from the bottom. Go gently so you do not punch through the thin metal.
How far should a downspout drain from the house?
Far enough that the water does not soak the soil next to the foundation. Many pros aim for at least 4 to 6 feet, with an extension or a splash block.
Why does my downspout keep clogging?
Usually leaves and seeds from nearby trees. A strainer over the hole at the top of the downspout and regular gutter cleaning help.