On a two story house the gutters sit roughly 18 to 25 feet off the ground, which is past the reach of a standard 6 to 8 foot cleaning wand. The tools that actually reach a two story gutter are long telescoping poles (17 to 30 feet), leaf blower gutter kits rated for two stories, telescoping pressure or hose wands, and the old standby of an extension ladder with a scoop. Some jobs on a second story still come down to a ladder or a hired pro, because from the ground you often cannot see or feel whether the gutter is actually clear.
This guide sizes the reach problem first, then matches each tool to what a second story run can and cannot do. If you want the ladder-free approach in more depth, see our companion guide to gutter cleaning tools you run from the ground, which covers ground technique regardless of house height. This page is about the specific reach math of a second story.
How high are the gutters on a 2 story house?
Gutters on a typical two story house sit about 18 to 22 feet above grade, and up to 25 feet where the first floor has tall ceilings or the house sits on a slope. That height matters because a ground based tool has to cover more than the vertical drop. You stand 3 to 6 feet out from the wall to get a working angle, so the pole spans a diagonal, not a straight line up.
A practical rule: add 3 to 5 feet to the gutter height to pick a pole or wand length that works from a comfortable standing position. A 20 foot gutter is easier with a 24 foot reach than a 20 foot one held dead vertical against the wall.
| Gutter location | Height above grade | Ground tool reach you need |
|---|---|---|
| Single story eave | 8 to 12 ft | 12 to 16 ft |
| Two story eave | 18 to 22 ft | 22 to 27 ft |
| Two story with tall first floor or slope | 22 to 25 ft | 26 to 30 ft |
Heights vary by house, so measure your own eave before buying. A tape from a first floor window or a laser measure aimed at the gutter line gives you the number to size against.
What tools actually reach a 2 story gutter?
Five tool types can reach a second story gutter, and each trades reach against what kind of debris it clears. Poles and blower kits keep both feet on the ground but only move dry, loose material. Vacuums and hose wands handle wet debris but lose reach fast. A ladder reaches anything and clears anything, at the cost of climbing 18 feet or more.
| Tool | Typical reach | Feet stay on ground | Best for | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telescoping gutter pole or tongs | 17 to 30 ft | Yes | Dry leaves in open runs | $30 to $130 |
| Leaf blower gutter kit | To ~30 ft (two story rated) | Yes | Dry, light debris | $30 to $100 attachment |
| Telescoping pressure washer wand | 18 to 24 ft | Yes | Stuck or matted debris | $80 to $200 |
| Wet/dry vacuum gutter kit | ~10 to 14 ft | Mostly | Wet debris on lower runs | $20 to $60 kit |
| Extension ladder and scoop | Any height | No | Packed debris, downspouts, inspection | $150 to $400 ladder |
Telescoping gutter poles and tongs
Telescoping gutter poles are the main ground tool that reaches a two story run, extending from about 17 to 30 feet depending on the model. Kits like the Gutter Clutter Buster, the Gutter Cleaning Pro tool, and ArloCatcher pole systems are built specifically for second story reach, and some add a claw or tong head so you can grip and drop clumps rather than just push them. They work well on dry leaves and lose effectiveness on wet, compacted debris.
Weight is the limiter at full extension. A pole held out at 24 feet flexes and gets heavy fast, so most people clear a two story gutter in short sessions. Look for a model rated to your measured reach plus a few feet, not exactly at it.
Leaf blower gutter kits
A leaf blower gutter kit clips curved extension tubes onto a blower you may already own, sending them up to about 30 feet so you can blow a two story gutter clear from the ground. Greenworks, Ryobi, and Worx all sell two story rated attachment sets, and some Greenworks kits are marketed at a full 30 foot reach for second floor gutters. They move dry leaves and pine needles well.
The trade off is that a blower only handles dry, loose debris. Wet leaves, roof grit, and packed sludge do not blow out, and you are moving material into the air rather than capturing it, so the gutter still needs a rinse or a physical clear after a wet season.
Wet/dry vacuum and hose wands
Wet/dry vacuum gutter kits and telescoping hose wands handle the wet debris a blower cannot, but they give up reach. A Craftsman or Worx vacuum kit with extension wands and a hooked nozzle tops out around 10 to 14 feet, which covers a single story cleanly but often falls short of a full two story eave. A garden hose wand such as an Orbit telescoping model reaches only 6 to 10 feet and is really a rinsing tool.
For a second story, a telescoping pressure washer wand extends further, roughly 18 to 24 feet, and can break loose matted debris. Use low pressure and keep the stream angled along the gutter, because high pressure can dent aluminum, drive water under the shingles, or damage seams. A power washer gutter cleaner carries real risks on a two story run where you cannot see the result.
Extension ladder and scoop
An extension ladder with a gutter scoop reaches any height and clears any debris, which is why pros still use it on packed or wet second story gutters. The cost is the climb: you are working 18 feet or more up, moving the ladder every 8 to 10 feet, and never leaning past your belt buckle. Set the ladder at a 4 to 1 angle, tie or stabilize the top, and use a standoff arm so the rails rest on the roof, not the gutter.
Ladder falls are the reason this job is dangerous, so match the ladder to the work. Our guide to the right ladder for gutter cleaning covers duty ratings and sizing for two story height.
The problem ground tools do not solve on a 2 story
From the ground on a two story house you cannot see inside the gutter, so you are cleaning blind. A pole or blower may push debris around, clear a visible clog, and still leave the outlet packed or the far side untouched. On a single story you can glance up and confirm; at 20 feet you often cannot, which is the real limit of any ground based method here.
Ground tools also stall on setbacks, dormers, gutter guards, and downspout outlets. Where a second floor is set back over a first floor roof, no pole reaches the upper gutter from grade. Guard covered gutters and clogged outlets usually need hands on them. In those spots a ladder or a pro is the honest answer, not a longer pole.
When to hire a pro instead
Hiring out makes sense on a two story house when the debris is wet or packed, the gutters have guards, the outlets are clogged, or you cannot safely reach and verify the run. A pro clears it, checks the downspouts, and can spot a sagging hanger or a leak while up there. Cost often runs about $150 to $425 for a two story house depending on linear footage and pitch.
Weigh that against a ladder fall. See what gutter cleaning costs and how often you actually need it to decide whether one or two annual cleanings are cheaper to hire than to equip and risk yourself. For broader upkeep basics, the roofing and gutter fundamentals hub puts this in context.
Which tool should you pick for a 2 story house?
Match the tool to your debris and your comfort with height. Most two story homeowners do best with a long telescoping pole or a blower kit for dry seasonal leaves, kept honest by a ladder check once or twice a year for the outlets. Reach for a pressure wand or a pro when the debris is wet or the gutters have guards.
- Dry leaves, open runs, want to stay on the ground: a two story telescoping pole or a blower gutter kit rated to 30 feet.
- Wet or packed debris on reachable runs: a telescoping pressure washer wand at low pressure, or a ladder and scoop.
- Guards, clogged outlets, setbacks, or you cannot verify the result: an extension ladder with a scoop, or hire a pro.
- You will not climb an 18 foot ladder: plan on hiring the job out once or twice a year rather than forcing a ground tool past its limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best tool to clean gutters on a 2 story house?
For dry leaves, the best ground tool is a telescoping gutter pole rated to 24 feet or more, or a two story leaf blower gutter kit. For wet or packed debris you need a telescoping pressure wand or an extension ladder with a scoop. No single tool wins every situation, so pick by debris type and by whether you can safely reach and verify the run from the ground.
How do you clean 2 story gutters without a ladder?
You clean two story gutters without a ladder using long telescoping tools operated from the ground: a gutter pole with a tong or scoop head, a leaf blower gutter kit with curved extension tubes rated to about 30 feet, or a telescoping pressure or hose wand. These work best on dry, loose debris. Wet, packed material or clogged outlets often still need a ladder or a pro.
How long of a pole do you need for 2 story gutters?
Plan on a pole that reaches 22 to 27 feet for a standard two story house, and up to 30 feet where the first floor is tall or the house sits on a slope. Two story gutters sit about 18 to 22 feet up, and you stand a few feet out from the wall, so add 3 to 5 feet to the gutter height. Measure your own eave before buying.
Can you clean 2 story gutters from the ground?
Yes, in many cases you can clean two story gutters from the ground with a long telescoping pole, a blower kit, or a pressure wand, as long as the debris is dry and the runs are open. The catch is verification: from 20 feet down you cannot see inside the gutter, so blind spots, setbacks, guards, and clogged outlets may still need a ladder or a hired cleaner.
Is it safe to clean 2 story gutters yourself?
Ground based tools are safe because your feet stay planted. The risk comes from ladder work at two story height, where falls cause serious injury. If you use a ladder, set it at a 4 to 1 angle, stabilize the top, use a standoff arm, and never lean past your waistline. If any of that feels unsafe, hiring a pro is often the better call.
How much does it cost to clean gutters on a 2 story house?
Professional gutter cleaning on a two story house often runs about $150 to $425, depending on linear footage, roof pitch, debris load, and region. DIY tools cost less upfront, roughly $30 to $200 depending on the tool, but a two story extension ladder adds $150 to $400 and carries fall risk. Costs vary by market and home, so get a local quote to compare.
Reviewed by The Roofing Brief Team. Last reviewed July 2026.