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Step 1. Clean dense debris from gutters using a putty knife or a narrow drywall knife. Put the debris in a bucket instead of dropping it on the ground.

Step 2. Stubborn clogs in downspouts can be loosened and flushed away with a garden hose. Just push the end of the hose down the pipe and turn on the water full blast.

Step 3. If your gutter collects a lot of leaves and frequently dogs the downspouts, slide a ball-shaped screen into the top of each pipe or cover the entire gutter with a protective screen.

Step 4. Leaky joints between sections of gutter or at downspout connections can be patched with gutter seal. Just clean out any debris, dry the seam, and fill it well with sealer. Smooth the bead with your fingertip or a putty knife.