Storms in the Twin Cities do not mess around. One good thunderstorm can send branches, leaves, shingle granules, and all kinds of debris straight into your gutters – and if you leave it sitting there, the damage adds up fast. Clogged gutters overflow, water pools against your foundation, and what started as a simple cleanup turns into a much bigger problem. The good news is that if you know what to do and tackle it in the right order, you can get your gutters back in shape before the next storm rolls through. Here is exactly where to start.
1. Wait Until It Is Completely Safe to Go Outside
Before you do anything, make sure the storm has fully passed and the area around your home is safe. Walk the perimeter carefully and look for downed power lines, hanging tree branches, or any other hazards that could put you at risk. If you see a downed line anywhere near your home, stay back and call your utility company immediately. No gutter cleanup is worth getting hurt over – safety comes first, every single time.
2. Document the Damage Before You Touch Anything
Once it is safe to move around, grab your phone and take photos and videos of everything before you start cleaning. Capture wide shots of your roofline, gutters, downspouts, and yard, and then move in close to get detailed shots of any dents, sagging sections, or debris buildup. If your gutters were damaged in the storm and you need to file a homeowners insurance claim, this documentation is what makes the difference between a smooth process and a frustrating one. Take more photos than you think you need.
3. Check for Structural Damage From the Ground
Before you set up a ladder, do a full inspection from the ground first. Use binoculars or your phone’s zoom to get a closer look at your gutters and roofline without climbing. You are looking for dents, cracks, sections that are sagging or pulling away from the fascia, and any brackets that appear loose or broken. If you spot serious structural damage, like a full section of gutter hanging off the house, that is a job for a professional, not a DIY cleanup.
4. Set Up Your Ladder the Right Way
If the gutters look structurally sound and you are comfortable doing the cleanup yourself, set up your ladder on firm, level ground. If the ground is soft or uneven after the storm, place a wide piece of plywood under the feet for stability. Use a ladder stabilizer or standoff bar so the rails are not resting directly against the gutters – aluminum gutters dent easily under that pressure. Always keep three points of contact on the ladder, move it frequently as you work, and never lean or reach past your comfort zone.
5. Clear Debris by Hand in Small Sections
Start scooping. Work in three to six-foot sections and use heavy-duty gloves and a gutter scoop to pull out leaves, twigs, mud, and anything else the storm pushed in. Storm debris is often heavier and more compacted than what you find during a routine cleaning, so take your time and do not rush through it. Hook a bucket to your ladder to collect the debris as you go rather than tossing it into the yard – it makes cleanup much easier when you are done and keeps your landscaping from getting buried.
6. Flush the Entire Gutter System With a Hose
Once the bulk of the debris is cleared, grab a garden hose and flush the entire gutter system from one end to the other. Start at the far end, away from the downspout, and let the water push everything toward the drain. While the water is running, watch closely for overflow along the edges, which signals that something is still blocking the flow. This step also helps you check whether your gutters are still pitched correctly, because water should always be moving toward the downspout, not sitting still or running backward.
7. Check Every Downspout for Blockages
Downspouts are where debris likes to hide after a storm, and a clogged downspout can make your entire gutter system useless. After flushing, check that water is flowing out of the bottom of each downspout with good pressure. If it is trickling slowly or not coming out at all, you have a clog. Remove the strainer at the top and try flushing again from above with the hose on full pressure. If the clog does not clear, you may need to detach a section of the downspout to manually remove the blockage before reconnecting everything.
8. Inspect for Hidden Damage Once Everything Is Clean
Now that the gutters are clear, take one more careful look at the entire system. Check the seams and joints for leaks, look at the brackets to make sure they are still secure, and run your hand along the gutter to feel for dents or soft spots you may have missed. Also check your downspout splash blocks and the ground around your foundation for signs of erosion or pooling, which can indicate that water was overflowing during the storm. Catching small issues now is always cheaper than dealing with bigger ones later.
9. Call a Professional if Anything Looks Off
If you found significant damage during your inspection – sections pulling away from the house, large dents, leaks at the seams, or anything that does not look right – do not try to push through it yourself. A professional gutter company can inspect the full system, identify damage you may have missed, and make sure everything is properly secured before the next storm. This is especially important in the Twin Cities, where storm season is not a one-time event – it comes back around fast.
Storm Cleanup Is a Lot Easier When You Have Gutter Maids in Your Corner
You should not have to stress about what a storm left behind. Gutter Maids is a family-owned business serving homeowners across the Twin Cities, and we make gutter cleaning easy, reliable, and completely hassle-free. Whether a storm just hit or you are overdue for a cleaning, our team will get your gutters cleared, flowing, and ready for whatever comes next. Contact us today for a free estimate and let us take it from here.