How to Get Tar Out of Gutters: Proven Easy Steps (2026)

Immediate Action (First 5 Minutes)

Tar in your gutters is a massive headache. I've dealt with this exact mess after re-shingling my own roof last summer. If you just noticed the black, sticky gunk clogging your downspouts, don't panic. You have a tiny window to act before it bakes into a solid brick under the hot sun.

First, grab a sturdy ladder. I use the Werner D1128-2 28-foot extension ladder because it gives me a stable 250-pound weight capacity. Put on some thick nitrile gloves. Tar stains skin for days. Next, take a plastic putty knife and scoop out the bulk of the fresh tar. Don't use metal yet. You'll scratch the aluminum or vinyl gutter lining, creating micro-grooves where future debris will stick.

If the tar is still warm and gooey, throw some ice cubes from your freezer directly onto the mass. This drops the surface temperature below 40°F in about two minutes. The tar turns brittle. You can then snap off chunks by hand. This quick trick saved me at least an hour of scrubbing when my contractor accidentally dumped roofing cement into my north-facing gutter.

Ladder Safety and Setup

Before we get into the cleaning chemicals, we need to talk about gravity. Falling off a ladder while holding a bucket of toxic solvent is a terrible way to spend your weekend. Always use a ladder stabilizer. I attach the Werner AC78 stand-off to keep the ladder from crushing the gutter lip while giving me a wider base of support.

When I was prepping a rental property for a strict landlord inspection last fall, I had to clean second-story gutters on a sloped driveway. I used leg levelers to keep the ladder perfectly plumb. Never lean out past the rails. If you can't reach the tar spot, climb down and move the ladder. It takes an extra two minutes, but it keeps you out of the emergency room.

What You'll Need (Tools and Products)

I'll be honest, this takes elbow grease. You can't just spray it and walk away. Over the years, I've tested dozens of solvents on my own properties. Here is the exact kit I keep in my garage for sticky exterior messes.

• Solvent: Krud Kutter Original ($12-15 for a 32oz bottle) or Goo Gone Pro-Power ($18 for 32oz). Avoid harsh paint thinners; they will melt vinyl gutters instantly.
• Scraper: A 3-inch plastic putty knife ($4 at Home Depot). Metal scratches and ruins the finish.
• Brush: A stiff-bristled nylon grout brush. The OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set ($14) works brilliantly for tight inside corners.
• Protection: Showa Atlas heavy-duty nitrile gloves and basic safety goggles. Splashing solvent in your eye is a nightmare.
• Rags: Shop towels. Don't use your good bath towels. They will be ruined forever and smell like petroleum.
• Water Source: A garden hose with a high-pressure jet nozzle attachment.

This isn't the cheapest option, but buying the right solvent the first time prevents you from making three trips to the hardware store. I learned that the hard way.

Step-by-Step Removal

Follow this exact sequence. I've refined this process over 10 years of cleaning tile, roofs, and gutters for my own homes and a few neighbors.

Step 1: Clear the Dry Debris

Before applying any chemicals, remove all leaves, twigs, and dirt. If you mix solvent with wet leaves, you just create a toxic sludge that clogs the downspout. Use a small plastic trowel to scoop out the dry muck. Toss it into a 5-gallon bucket hooked to your ladder. Keep your work area clean.

Step 2: Apply the Solvent Generously

Spray your chosen degreaser directly onto the tar spots. I prefer Krud Kutter because it's biodegradable and won't kill the grass below when it inevitably drips. Let it sit for exactly 10 to 15 minutes. Don't let it dry out. If it's a hot 90°F day, mist it with a little water to keep the chemicals active.

Step 3: Agitate and Scrub

Take your stiff nylon brush and scrub in tight circles. Apply firm downward pressure. You'll see the black tar start to emulsify and turn into a brown, milky liquid. This is the magic moment. Keep scrubbing until the bare metal or vinyl underneath is completely visible.

Step 4: Wipe and Scoop

Use your plastic putty knife to push the dissolved tar sludge toward the downspout. Wipe the blade clean with a shop towel after every single pass. If you have a massive buildup, you might need to repeat steps 2 and 3. I had to do it twice on a stubborn patch near my chimney flashing.

Step 5: High-Pressure Rinse

Attach the jet nozzle to your garden hose. Blast the gutter from the opposite end of the downspout. This forces the remaining dissolved tar and dirty water out of the system. Watch the water flow to ensure it's clear.

Step 6: Inspect the Downspout Elbow

Tar loves to hide in the bottom elbow of the downspout. Shine a flashlight down the pipe. If you see a black ring, spray a little extra solvent down the hole and let it sit for five minutes. Flush it again with the hose until the water runs completely clear onto your lawn.

Solvent Comparison Table

Product	Price Range	Vinyl Safe?	Effectiveness
Krud Kutter Original	$12 - $15	Yes	High
Goo Gone Pro-Power	$16 - $20	Yes	Very High
WD-40 Specialist Degreaser	$8 - $12	Test First	Medium
Mineral Spirits	$10 - $14	No (Melts Vinyl)	Extreme

Alternative Methods

Sometimes the standard chemical route doesn't cut it. Maybe you're dealing with a massive, hardened block of roofing tar that's been baking in the sun for three years. Here are three backup methods I rely on when the spray bottle fails.

The Heat Gun Technique

If you have a DeWalt D26960 heat gun, this method works wonders on aluminum gutters. Set the gun to 500°F. Hold it about four inches away from the tar block. Move it constantly to avoid warping the metal. Once the tar softens and bubbles slightly, scoop it out with your plastic scraper. Never use this on vinyl gutters. They will warp and melt at around 160°F, ruining your entire drainage system.

The Dry Ice Freeze

This is my secret weapon for thick, stubborn patches. Buy a bag of dry ice pellets from your local grocery store (usually around $2 to $3 per pound). Put on heavy leather welding gloves. Place a few pellets directly on the tar. The extreme -109°F temperature flash-freezes the petroleum base. After 60 seconds, tap the frozen tar with a rubber mallet. It shatters like glass. Sweep the pieces out. It's highly effective but requires careful handling to avoid frostbite.

The Citrus Paste Method

For vertical smears on the outside of the gutter, liquid sprays just run off. I mix Goo Gone with a little baking soda to create a thick paste. Slather it onto the vertical tar streak with a putty knife. Let it sit for 20 minutes. The paste clings to the surface, giving the citrus solvents time to break down the petroleum bonds. Wipe it away with a damp rag.

Prevention Tips

Getting tar out of gutters is miserable work. I'd much rather spend my weekends grilling than hanging off a ladder with a scrub brush. Here is how you stop it from happening again.

First, communicate with your roofers. If you are getting a new roof or repairs, explicitly tell the crew to use a catchment tarp below their work area. I give them a $50 tip at the end of the job if my gutters are completely clean. It's a small bribe that saves me hours of back-breaking labor.

Second, install micro-mesh gutter guards. I installed the LeafFilter system on my home five years ago. While it won't stop liquid tar from dripping, it prevents the tar from mixing with leaves and forming a concrete-like dam. The liquid tar will eventually wash away with heavy rain if it doesn't have organic matter to bind to.

Finally, keep an eye on your chimney flashing. Often, tar in the gutter isn't from a new roof. It's from a handyman slapping cheap roofing cement on a leaky chimney boot. If you see black streaks running down the fascia board, you have an active drip. Fix the flashing with proper metal work, not tar.

Also, do a quick visual inspection after heavy summer storms. Extreme heat followed by torrential rain can wash loose asphalt granules and tar binders right off aging shingles. Catching a small drip early prevents a massive cleanup job later.

FAQ

Will mineral spirits ruin my gutters?

Mineral spirits will completely destroy vinyl gutters by melting and warping the plastic. If you have heavy-duty aluminum gutters, mineral spirits won't melt the metal, but it will strip away any factory paint or protective coating. I strongly recommend sticking to citrus-based or water-soluble degreasers to avoid costly replacements.

Can I just pressure wash the tar out?

Using a gas-powered pressure washer on tar usually just blasts the sticky mess all over your siding and windows. Tar needs chemical emulsification or extreme temperature changes to break its bond with the gutter surface. You can use a pressure washer for the final rinse, but never as the primary removal tool.

Why is there tar in my gutters if I haven't had roof work done?

Tar often accumulates from deteriorating asphalt shingles that are shedding granules and petroleum binders during extreme heat waves. It can also leak from poorly sealed chimney flashing, vent pipes, or valley joints where a previous owner used roofing cement as a cheap patch. Inspect your roof penetrations to find the source of the drip.

Is it safe to let tar runoff go into my garden?

Raw tar and heavy petroleum solvents are toxic to plants and can contaminate local groundwater. If you use a biodegradable cleaner like Krud Kutter, the diluted runoff is generally safe for your lawn in small amounts. Always try to scoop the bulk of the solid tar into a trash bag rather than washing it down the downspout into your flowerbeds.