Copper gutters are stunning and unique.
But, in order for copper gutters to maintain their beauty, proper care needs to take place.
One way to keep copper gutters looking their best is to clean them.
For copper gutters, their unique nature requires a special solution (or paste) to clean them.
The Process of Cleaning Copper Gutters
You can create a cleaning paste for copper by mixing 4 cups of flour, 4 cups of salt, and 4 cups of vinegar in a plastic bucket. The mixture is very effective at cleaning and will have your gutters shining.
Another maintenance tip is to prevent oxidation from happening, which manifests itself as a green discoloration of the copper.
Copper will react with oxygen that it is exposed to on an unprotected basis in an open environment.
There are other catalysts including:
- temperature
- level of pollution
- moisture
Once oxidation takes place, the copper will oxidize, and over time develop a layer of dull tan tarnish on the outside layer.
After going through a number of chemical reactions, the copper will develop a completely pale green coating on the outside layer called patina.
The good news is that you can create a copper cleaning solution to remove the tarnish that is there now.
You can then take the step to coat the surface with an UV/Anti-Oxidant Coating. Only if it is completely corroded, go to the level of installing only the best premium copper gutter system that you can find in your area.
Copper Gutter Cleaning Steps
What You Need
- A sturdy ladder
- (Remember to rest it against the roof rather than the copper gutters).
- A plastic bucket
- (The copper is corrosive when other metals come into contact with it so tools made from plastic are recommended)
- A bucket hook (to hold the bucket close at hand).
- A plastic garden trowel
- Gardening gloves
- A garden hose and nozzle set for jetting.
- (Optional materials to polish: cotton gloves, cleaning paste, a soft-bristled brush, and soft rags)
- Trash can.
Step1: Cleaning the Debris
Before you start your work, wear your gloves.
Take your trowel and place it into the far left edge of the gutter with leaving the trowel tip pointed toward the right.
Push down at a 45-degree angle, make sure not to nick the bottom of the gutter.
Scoop the leaves and debris out with access of leverage from the trowel. If you continue hitting the bottom of the gutter, just lift the debris out by hand.
Remember: Don’t press down too much as this will damage the connection and joints.
Step 2: Choose Your Ladder
There is something that you need to keep in mind when cleaning your copper gutters.
Use a reliable extension ladder with steady arms that extend at least 6 inches over the height of your copper gutters.
When you purchase the steady arms, you will see that they are sold separately and can usually be utilized with a standard extension ladder.
Step 3: Set Your Ladder
Ensure the surface you are placing your ladder on is firm.
If the area around your home is soft or landscaped, place plywood under the feet of the ladder to provide stability.
Place the ladder where your gutters are attached to the house, because it will be most stable at that point.
Be careful that you don’t dent the thin metal of the gutter. Step off of it and go to the area where you want to work.
You should be able to lean to the left and right without losing your balance.
Heads Up! It may be best to have a buddy on the ground to hand you tools and help stabilize the ladder.
Step 4: Work In Sections
Before proceeding to the following section of your gutter, you’ll want to repeat some cleaning steps.
After you have completed one section of gutters, move the ladder to the next section of gutters and continue scooping out the debris.
When your trowel is full of muck, put it in the trash can. Repeat these steps until you have removed all the big debris from your copper gutters.
Step 5: Flushing
Place your ladder at the furthest end of the gutter from the downspout, in order to reach the wet end, grab your garden hose with the sprayer nozzle attached.
Insert the hose nozzle into the gutter and aim toward the downspout. This should clean any remaining debris from the gutter.
After completing this, turn the hose off and wipe the gutters using a wet rag or cloth.
This will help to get rid of the stains and dirt buildup on the gutters. You will want to do this step prior to using copper gutter cleaner.
Step 6: Cleaning
In your plastic bucket, mix 4 cups of flour, 4 cups of salt, and 4 cups of vinegar.
To create the paste for cleaning copper, mix anything in the bucket with a plastic spoon. Make sure to thoroughly mix all the ingredients.
Now, climb the ladder…
Grab your soft-bristled scrub brush, dip it into the paste, and coating the brush in the paste approximately half an inch deep. In a circular motion, rub the paste onto any areas on the copper gutter you see tarnished or needing some extra shine.
Be careful when you are cleaning around the joints with your brush- do not apply too much pressure. You might risk damaging your gutters when you are brushing down on it. Remember to clean the downspout as well.
If your cleaning does not get the results you wanted, there are other eco-friendly copper gutter cleaning gels available at your local home and garden store.
Step 7: Wipe
Once you have thoroughly scrubbed the copper gutters, you will want to rinse off the cleaner.
Use a medium-sized bucket, fill it halfway with hot water, and grab an old rag to wipe down the copper gutters.
This will help to loosen any other debris that is on the surface of the gutters, leaving you with a crisp clean gutter.
Once you have done that, take your garden hose and rinse the copper gutters thoroughly to remove any dirt, residue, or cleaner.
Step 8: Cover Your Gutters with an Anti-oxidant Coating
When your copper gutters are sparkling clean, you’ll want to protect them from oxidizing again.
To do this, you’ll need to apply an anti-oxidant coating to your entire gutter system.
The coating should not only be anti-oxidant, but UV protectant as well. This UV protectant will not stop the patina from developing, but will help keep the coating from causing the gutters to affect brown.
Do not use a lacquer coating. The sun will fade them.
Copper Gutter Cleaning Methods
You can clean copper gutters and downspouts in a number of ways.
But, as the least invasive method, professionals will use a service to clean your gutters.
Gutter Cleaning By Hand
This is the most commonly used method, as most people do not have any specialized skills or equipment.
Here is what you will need:
- a bucket
- ladder
- garden trowel
- heavy-duty garden gloves
The biggest problem with this method is that it is going to be labor intensive.
You’ll need to go up and down your ladder several times and keep emptying the bucket.
You’ll be removing leaves and debris, and placing them in the garbage can.
Lastly, flush out the copper gutters and downspouts with water to make sure everything works properly..
Leaf Blower
Many leaf blowers have a nozzle attachment which creates a very strong air stream which works great for blowing twigs or leaves out of the gutters.
Moreover, they are very simple to use.
Simply position your ladder in a way, that allows you to move from one end of the gutter to the next blowing any obstacles out of the way.
An additional yet critical step, you have to cover the downspouts with an old towel or rag, or else leaves will blow up into the downspouts kicking a certain headache to your bottom line.
In addition you can hammer the leaves or twigs left in the gutter with a hose if there are still obstructions.
From Experience: This method would only work well if the debris in the gutter is dry.
Using a Power Washer
A power washer is a high-pressure stream of water that is used to clean and eliminate debris.
When this stream of water is directed into your gutter, it is capable of removing almost anything in its path.
This is the most effective method in unclogging clogged gutters and downspouts.
Simply insert the nozzle into the opening and rinse the shaft until the water flows freely through it.
Afterwards, rinse the roof and exterior walls.
Power Scrubbing Method
You can also purchase a rotary gutter cleaning tool that connects to a power drill and garden hose.
Here is the process:
- To use the rotary scrubber connect the pole to a power drill
- Insert the scrubber into the gutter farthest from the downspout.
- Start the power drill and, slowly pull the rotary scrubber back along the channel.
- After you have scrubbed the entire gutter, detach the power drill and attach the hose.
- Turn the water on and spray the gutter to rinse out all remaining debris/composition.
Using a Garden Hose to Clean Copper Gutter
This is another simple method you can use:
- To clean your gutters, you need to purchase a sprayer attachment for a garden hose.
- Attach the hose to the pole from the attachment.
- Once the water is on, please insert the attachment away from the downspout.
- When you are ready to use the attachment, simply press the trigger on the attachment itself.
- Continue spraying the material out of the gutter, towards the downspout, until it is clean.
Final Thoughts
Copper gutters are robust and quite aesthetically pleasing.
However, if they aren’t maintained properly, they will lose their gleaming appearance.
That’s why it’s important to remove dirt and debris from the troughs at least once a season in the Spring and in the Fall.
There are numerous gutter cleaning methods available beyond those listed above.
The technique you choose should depend on the condition of your gutter and equipment available.