How do I clean out leaves which clog the gutter downspouts connected to an underground cistern?
put a screen over the gutters to prevent the leaves from going in now get a ladder and take them out by hand wear gloves
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2 Responses to “How do I clean out leaves which clog the gutter downspouts connected to an underground cistern?”
Start up at the gutters. Hopefully, they will have a mesh over the downspout itself, to prevent larger items from falling down them. If the mesh is placed "flat" over the downspout, it will clog with leaves pretty quickly. I prefer to make a ‘bump’ with the mesh, by wrapping it over a can, to form it, and then install it over the downspout opening.
Once the gutters themselves are clean, you can check for debris lodged in the downspouts themselves. If necessary, they can be loosened from their fasteners, so you can lay them in the yard, to poke a long pole, or broom handle for example, to break up any clogs, and hose them out.
If for some reason, someone cemented the downspout at the bottom (I did run across this once, hehe) the downspout can be cut with a hacksaw, and a sleeve can be used to re-attach it. This would enable it to be taken apart in the future, when necessary.
If leaves are a frequent problem, then gutter gaurds are a good idea – again, if this is a screen material, then rather than laying them flat, I prefer to arch them over the gutter, if there is room for that, below the roof line.
put a screen over the gutters to prevent the leaves from going in now get a ladder and take them out by hand wear gloves
References :
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Start up at the gutters. Hopefully, they will have a mesh over the downspout itself, to prevent larger items from falling down them. If the mesh is placed "flat" over the downspout, it will clog with leaves pretty quickly. I prefer to make a ‘bump’ with the mesh, by wrapping it over a can, to form it, and then install it over the downspout opening.
Once the gutters themselves are clean, you can check for debris lodged in the downspouts themselves. If necessary, they can be loosened from their fasteners, so you can lay them in the yard, to poke a long pole, or broom handle for example, to break up any clogs, and hose them out.
If for some reason, someone cemented the downspout at the bottom (I did run across this once, hehe) the downspout can be cut with a hacksaw, and a sleeve can be used to re-attach it. This would enable it to be taken apart in the future, when necessary.
If leaves are a frequent problem, then gutter gaurds are a good idea – again, if this is a screen material, then rather than laying them flat, I prefer to arch them over the gutter, if there is room for that, below the roof line.
Have Fun
References :