8 Things You Should Never Do When Cleaning Your Gutters

Clearing the gutters is one of those chores that sounds easy until you are standing twelve feet in the air holding a handful of wet leaves. The job itself is simple. The ladder is where people get hurt.

A house roof and gutter system against a grey sky.

This Old House, in a guide by contributor Sal Vaglica first published in 2015 and updated in 2026, spends as much time on staying safe as on cleaning. These are eight things to avoid, based on that guide.

Read them before the first leaf of the season lands in your gutter.

Most of these cost nothing, and a few take only seconds. Together they turn a risky chore into a manageable one.

Never Lean Out Past The Rails

This Old House Magazine offers a rule of thumb that is easy to remember: “If your belt buckle passes beyond either rail, you’re leaning too far.” The guide says to keep your hips in line with the ladder.

It feels like a hassle to climb down and move the ladder a few feet. It is a lot less of a hassle than a fall.

Many of us get overconfident near the end of a long job, with just one more reach to go. That is the moment to climb down and reset.

Never Rest The Ladder Right On The Gutter

The guide recommends a standoff, also called a ladder stabilizer, so the ladder rests against the roof instead of the gutter. It says this prevents scratches and dents in the gutter and makes the ladder steadier.

A sturdy ladder with a stabilizer bar is part of the setup the guide recommends. If yours does not have one, it is a small purchase that pays for itself.

Gutters are not built to carry a person’s weight. Letting the ladder lean on the roof edge keeps the load where it belongs.

Never Set Up On Soft Or Uneven Ground

The guide says to set the ladder on solid, level ground. It also says to extend the ladder about 3 feet past the roofline.

Take a minute to look at what is under the feet of the ladder. Muddy flower beds and sloping patios are poor places to climb from.

The guide adds that you should clear obstacles from the area below before you go up. Move the lawn chairs and the hose out of the way.

Think of it as clearing a landing zone. If something does go wrong, you want nothing hard or sharp underneath.

Never Climb Onto The Roof To Do The Job

This Old House says to stay on the ladder rather than working from the roof, because falls are more likely on the roof itself. The guide also notes that a safety harness is useful, especially on steep roofs.

If the only way to reach the gutter is to step onto the shingles, that is a sign to stop and think. Hiring a pro may be the better answer.

Wet leaves and moss make shingles slick, and the roof leaves little to grab. The ladder is the safer place to work.

Never Carry Tools In Your Hands While You Climb

The guide recommends keeping tools in a tool belt or in a bucket hooked to the ladder. Your hands should be free to hold on.

A bucket on a hook is also handy for the debris. It saves trips up and down.

Every trip you skip is one less chance for a slip.

For the cleaning itself, the guide suggests a plastic scoop, such as one cut from a milk jug, to clear straight sections without damaging the gutters. It also says to start at the downspout so standing water has a way out.

Never Skip The Safety Gear

This Old House says to wear non-slip shoes, safety glasses and work gloves. The gloves also help protect against sharp edges and debris.

It sounds like overkill for a quick chore, but gutters collect twigs, bits of metal and who knows what else. A few dollars of gear is cheap insurance.

Slipping on a wet rung is easy, and shoes with good grip make that much less likely.

Never Go Up Without Telling Anyone

The guide says to let someone know before you go up and to have someone spot you when using a sturdy, extendable ladder. A second person can steady the ladder and call for help if needed.

Even a quick text to a neighbor or family member beats climbing alone with nobody aware you are up there.

Never Push On When You Are Uneasy On A Ladder

This Old House lists reasons to hire a professional, including that your home is more than one story, your gutters are severely clogged or damaged, or you are uncomfortable on a ladder. The guide cites an average cost of $140 to $300, based on 2024 Angi data.

That price is far less than an emergency room bill. There is no shame in handing off the job.

If you decide to hire out, ask for the price up front and let the crew handle the ladder work.

If you do the work yourself, the guide recommends cleaning at least twice a year, in spring and fall, and checking gutters after severe storms. It notes that clogs can lead to ice dams, which can send melted snow into walls.

Pick a dry day, set up carefully, and take your time. The leaves will wait, and so will you.

Willow and Hearth