If you’re like me, cleaning your gutters is probably something you try to avoid at all costs. But, it’s actually quite an important task. Thankfully, I’ve found a hack to make your gutter cleaning experience easier by repurposing one of the most common gardening tools – your leaf blower.
Keep reading to find out more about one of the best gardening hacks – how to make a gutter cleaner from a leaf blower!
Contents
Let’s Get Down To Repurposing That Leaf Blower
Love repurposing your garden equipment? You don’t have to ask me twice! I’m all about recycling things I already have, so this hack is definitely right up my alley. But before diving into the interesting ways to repurpose your leaf blower, let’s talk about why you need to try out this hack!
If you’re all about nature conservation, as am I, and you want to make sure your rainwater doesn’t go to waste, chances are that you’re a fan of rain barrel diverters. Well, in order for your diverters to work well, you’re going to need squeaky clean gutters.
And if your gutters aren’t maintained and cleaned regularly, you’re at risk of having sections of your gutter getting too heavy and pulling away from your roof, leaving excess water free to seep into your foundation.
While it may be tempting to go out and get a leaf blower attachment that could be used to clean your gutters, these can be quite expensive. The materials you need to repurpose your leaf blower won’t even come close to how much you’d have to spend on a leaf blower add-on.
Making a gutter cleaner from a leaf blower is fairly simple and it can be used quite regularly. From getting rid of twigs and stones hindering your water drainage to cleaning out the gutters to avoid getting ice dams during winter – a DIY leaf blower gutter cleaner is the perfect solution.
Method 1: How To Make A Gutter Cleaner With PVC Pipe
PVC pipe is so useful and it’s the secret ingredient to tons of DIY projects! So, it’s no surprise that PVC pipe is the star of my first hack to transform your leaf blower into a gutter cleaner.
What Will You Need:
- Tape measure
- A 2-inch diameter PVC pipe that’s long enough to reach your gutters.
- A 2-inch compatible PVC U-Joint.
- An extra piece of PVC pipe that’s 6-inch tall.
- Duct tape.
- A ladder.
Optional:
- Rubber Reducer Coupler Fitting
- PVC cement and primer.
Steps
Here’s how you can make a gutter cleaner using a PVC pipe:
- If your PVC pipe fits your leaf blower’s exhaust port perfectly, do this:
• After inserting the 2-inch PVC pipe into the exhaust port, secure it by wrapping duct tape around it.
• Attach the U-Joint with the 6-inch piece of PVC at the top.
• For a permanent hold, use PVC primer and glue to secure the pieces that have been slotted in. - If your PVC pipe doesn’t fit into your leaf blower’s exhaust port, do this instead:
• Use a Rubber Reducer Coupler Fitting to ensure that the PVC pipe fits securely.
• Tighten each stainless steel pipe clamp.
Pro Tip: Be sure to take measurements of the internal and external diameter of your leaf blower exhaust as well as the height of your roofline to make sure you purchase enough PVC pipe for this tutorial.
To find out more, watch this video of YouTube user Jason Rushing demonstrating a similar method of how to use a leaf blower to clean a gutter:
Method 2: How To Make A Gutter Cleaner With A Gutter Vacuum
A leaf blower that’s versatile enough to be repurposed into a gutter cleaner is great, but wait until you get the low-down on creating a gutter vacuum using a trusty leaf blower.
It’s amazing to see your leaf blower get the dirt and debris off your pretty patio, but it’s even better when you’re able to vacuum and get rid of the debris at the same time!
Introducing the gutter vacuum! It’s a leaf blower that sucks up all the rubbish from your gutter rather than blowing it all over the place.
Basically, the only difference between the PVC pipe method and this one is the type of leaf blower you use. The two types in question are the ones that blow debris out of the way and the ones that have a vacuum function.
What Will You Need:
Everything you need to follow this tutorial is exactly the same as the list outlined above under the PVC pipe method.
Steps
The steps you need to follow to create a gutter vacuum are the exact same steps needed to follow the PVC pipe tutorial:
- Gutter Vacuum Safety Tips
Using a leaf blower with a vacuum function to clean your gutters can be a little tricky and dangerous. Remember these handy tips to keep both yourself and your leaf blower safe:
- Ensure that you have a clear view of your gutter and its contents. You can use a ladder to get high up or even a mirror attached to the leaf blower tube. This ensures that your vacuum doesn’t suck up anything that could damage its compeller blades.
- Try to refrain from gluing the attached piping. This is because it’s quite common for twigs and other pieces of dirt to get stuck in the pipe. You can clear it easily if you’re able to detach the piping.
This video by YouTube user StevesVids shows us just how easy it is to use a leaf blower to clean your gutter:
FAQs
Is it OK to use a leaf blower to clean gutters?
It is OK to use a leaf blower to clean gutters. Leaf blowers are versatile in nature and, while not their primary purpose, they work as a great tool to clean gutters. All you need to get going is a couple of cost-effective attachments and you’re good to go.
Do leaf blower gutter attachments work?
Leaf blower attachments do work. However, they’re not very cheap and aren’t always universal. This is why people prefer to go for options to repurpose tools they already own.
Now You Know How To Make A Gutter Cleaner From A Leaf Blower
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably try your best to avoid having to splurge on garden tools that will probably end up collecting dust in your shed. Repurposing your tools is a great way to get the best use out of the equipment you purchase.
Whether you have a backpack leaf blower or a handheld one, making a gutter cleaner out of one saves you the trouble of having to shop around for a whole new piece of garden equipment.
Besides this being a cost-effective option, it’s also quite convenient and very easy to use.
Are you ready to repurpose your leaf blower and get to sorting out those gutters? I’d love to know whether my article helped you figure out how to make a gutter cleaner from a leaf blower and if you try out any of these ideas. Let me know in the comments below!
Last update on 2023-03-25 at 08:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Your article concerns me because it shows the person on the roof , which is how I use to clean my cutters . I did not have a problem blowing out the debris it was easy and fast plus I did not need any attachments. I am 58 and I just do not trust doing on the roof anymore!! The whole purpose of making this is too clean it from the ground which is a whole lot easier.
Please do not try and use the device made here on the roof because your are in a lot more danger trying to maneuver with the long attachment while on the roof .
Also you do not use the vacuum in the situation I find the blower works fantastic but make sure it hasn’t rain in a while and it blows out easily.
I use a 20ft 2inch rubber silicone flex hose as it moves up the nozzle of the blower and secures with a clamp . I clamp the other end of the hose to a 8ft pvc pipe with a U spout . I put my blower on the ground a lock it running on cruise control with a wooden stand I made then I can move freely on the ground and work the long nozzle along the gutters . The job takes 15 minutes tops after set up and I done quickly and safety.
Hope this helps
Blower I use is
Craftsman blower
71 79465 box number
Family Displacement DPWES.0254BM / 25CC
Model 358.794650