Pressure washing time depends on the length of the gutters and how grimy they are.
Cost
$20–$50
You might need a few supplies.
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
Pressure washer
Pressure washer gutter extensions (preferable to a ladder)
Safety goggles
Ear protection
Gloves
Scrubbing brush (optional)
Gutter trowel (optional)
Bucket
SUPPLIES
Pressure washer detergent
Duct tape
Tarps or drop cloths
Regular gutter cleaning helps prevent property water damage, premature gutter repairs or replacement, and pest infestations caused by standing water. If you already use a pressure washer to clean your driveway, you might wonder if you can direct its blast to your eavestrough.
When learning how to clean gutters with a pressure washer, you need to use specific techniques to keep your house free from damage and its inhabitants safe. Here’s what you need to know.
Angi Tip
Pressure washing can be dangerous and damage your property if not done correctly. We highly recommend hiring a pro to ensure the job is completed safely and correctly.
Unlike durable concrete driveways or vinyl siding, gutters require gentle pressure washing. If you pick a pressure washer with mega blasting ability, it can damage the gutters, compromise connections, or knock tiles off the roof.
Forceful gas-powered machines suitable for various pressure washer uses often offer over 3,000 psi (pound-force per square inch) of water pressure. While this ensures effective heavy-duty cleaning on durable, non-porous surfaces, a pressure between 1,500 and 1,800 psi is best for DIY gutter cleaning.
Prepping to Use a Pressure Washer to Clean Gutters
Before powering up the pressure washer, it pays to do proper prep and take the right safety precautions.
Carry Out Gutter Repairs
Inspect your gutters for signs of disrepair. You can make loose, leaky guttering worse if you blast it with high-pressure spray. Call out a gutter repair company near you for complex jobs rather than trying to do a patch-up job yourself.
Remove Gutter Debris
Photo: AscentXmedia / E+ / Getty Images
Always remove leaf litter and other debris from your gutters before you clean them with a pressure washer. Skipping this step can lead to blockages by pressure washing all the debris into the downspout at once.
Don gloves and scoop the detritus into a bucket with a gutter trowel or other suitable tool. If you are doing this on a ladder, pick a sturdy extension ladder and have a helper on hand to stabilize it.
General Prep
Also, take the following action before cleaning gutters was a pressure washer:
Tidy away movable items below your guttering. You don’t want them covered in dirty detergent water or damaged by an accidental pressure washer blast.
Tape a tarp or drop cloth gently over prized plants around your home’s perimeter to avoid dousing them in detergent.
Wear safety goggles, gloves, ear protectors, closed-toed boots, and long sleeves.
Keep pets and kids inside to protect them from high-power pressure washer injuries.
Close all windows and doors.
Select the Appropriate Nozzle Attachment
Some low-pressure electric models only have one nozzle. Other models have multiple pressure washer nozzle types to choose from, and they are color-coded based on a universally accepted system.
Ideally, you want to avoid the red and yellow nozzles. They spray at zero and 15-degree angles for powerful directed sprays that will be too forceful for use on guttering.
Stick with the black 60-degree angle nozzle for soaping up with detergents and the white 40-degree nozzle for general cleaning and rinsing. For targeted cleaning of stubborn, stuck-on grime, use the 25-degree angle green nozzle with care.
Hook Up and Turn On Pressure Washer
Photo: Branimir / Adobe Stock
Every model varies slightly in their setup. Always follow specific manufacturer’s instructions for how to use your pressure washer. For gutter cleaning, it’s worth investing in pressure washer gutter extensions—sometimes called gutter elbows. These allow you to safely reach up high without having to use a ladder or strain awkwardly.
Using a pressure washer on a ladder carries the risk that the force of the pressure starting up could knock you off balance or compromise the stability of the steps.
Keep your pressure washer on a flat surface, check that the connections are secure, and keep the nozzle pointing away from you before turning it on.
Rinse Gutters and Surrounds
Avoid spraying directly up inside the soffits on the underside of your roof. This can encourage mold and mildew growth. Carefully target the inside and outside of the gutters themselves. Rinse with water using the 40-degree angled white nozzle—if this is an option—a few feet away from the gutter surface. Let the water sit for a few minutes to help loosen any stuck-on grime before applying detergent. Allow water to pass through the downpipes to ensure there are no blockages.
Add Detergent
To leave your gutters sparkly clean, fill up the detergent tank with a solution specifically designed for pressure washers. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for quantities and application. Bleach is a no-no as it can compromise the guttering material.
If your pressure washer doesn’t have a detergent tank, it's usually possible to mix the solution with water in a bucket to siphon into the machine.
Use the black nozzle to apply the detergent with a wide 60-degree angle spray.
Wash Meticulously
Work methodically so you don’t miss sections. Work from one end of the guttering, slowly moving along to allow debris and detergent to move into the downpipe. Leave the detergent to work its magic for five to 10 minutes.
Rinse Detergent Away
Photo: Janice / Adobe Stock
Swap to the white nozzle again to rinse away all the soapy suds. Keep going until you see the water running clear out the bottom of the downspouts.
Check for Missed Spots
Use a ladder to check there aren’t any stubborn spots of grime left on your guttering. If the grime isn’t lifting, try swapping to the 25-degree angle nozzle to hit those spots with a more targeted spray of water.
Empty the Pressure Washer Before Storing
Before stashing your pressure washer away until the next cleaning job, carry out a few steps for safety and to prolong the machine’s life.
Engage the safety lock to avoid any nasty spray surprises.
Don’t disconnect the pressure washer hose until you’ve turned the water off
Release the safety lock and pull the trigger to remove any water remaining in the hose and tank.
Engage the safety lock again, ready to safely start things up the next time you need to use the machine.
Wipe down the machine’s exterior to get rid of any soap scum.
Keep the pressure washer in a dry, indoor space.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Pressure washing is a common DIY task, and if you already own a machine or rent one, it can mean big savings. However, it isn’t without its risks. Carelessly blasting the spray can result in nasty injuries or damage to your property. Pressure washing elevated gutters is especially tricky to do safely. You might need to invest in pressure washer extension equipment, and it can damage these more delicate home parts if you use too much pressure.
It is possible to clean gutters with a pressure washer but work with a maximum psi of 1,800 to minimize the risk of damaging your eavestrough. And, instead of climbing a ladder, it’s safer to use gutter elbow extensions. These avoid the risk of the machine’s pressure causing you to lose stability while up high.
Pressure washing isn’t the only way to clean your gutters. Use a hose and a long-handled brush if you aren’t afraid of a little elbow grease. Alternatively, set up a stable ladder and scrub by hand with a brush. It’s also possible to purchase gutter wand extensions for hoses or a gutter vacuum if you don’t mind the investment. These help clean thoroughly without you having to scale a ladder.
Scheduling biannual pressure washing sessions minimizes the risk of clogged gutters and expensive gutter repairs or replacements. You’re less likely to experience problems with water damage on your roof, exterior walls, and foundations, and it reduces the likelihood of pests making your house their home.
When cleaning gutters, your pressure washer shouldn’t exceed a pressure rating range of 1,500 and 1,800 psi. Remember—gutters are designed to withstand the pressure of heavy rain and not much else. While the force of the water in a pressure washer will get rid of the dirt and debris, too much force can damage your gutters and, if you’re not careful, your house. A high PSI will have you prepped to call a professional when your gutter leaks. It could also mess up the gutter joints or even blow the tiles off of your roof.
Jouviane has spent eight years covering home and lifestyle, focused primarily on DIY and remodeling. When she isn’t working, she’s busy researching DIY projects to update her 123-year-old Colonial-inspired house.
Jouviane has spent eight years covering home and lifestyle, focused primarily on DIY and remodeling. When she isn’t working, she’s busy researching DIY projects to update her 123-year-old Colonial-inspired house.
The homeowners guide to Pressure Washing
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
