Most two story homes have a peak height of 25 ft. Now, considering you never want to stand on the top few rungs of your ladder, you will want an extension ladder that is at least 32-36 ft.

Here is a handy table I found for calculating how tall your ladder should be, based on how tall the tallest part of your house is:

--quote--

Working Height ---------------------------> Ladder Length
9' ----------------------------------------------------->16'
9-13' ------------------------------------------------> 20'
13-17'-----------------------------------------------> 24'
17-21' -----------------------------------------------> 28'
21-25' -----------------------------------------------> 32'
25-28' -----------------------------------------------> 36'
28-31' -----------------------------------------------> 40'

--end quote--

Remember safety first, and never try to reach while you're working with your ladder. Always take the time to move the ladder so you don't have to extend your arm and shift your weight--that's how accidents happen!

Also, here's a good tip to make sure your extension ladder doesn't crush or dent your gutter: place a block of wood inside the gutter where the ladder sits.

If you need any more tips or help about cleaning your gutters, I wrote this page, and I think you might find some of the tips helpful: HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

Good luck and happy cleaning!

I had the same exact question a few weeks ago, since I needed to clean out my gutters and didn't have a ladder. The previous answers make some good points (i.e., factor in the extra length you'll need because your ladder won't be completely vertical), but people seem to be forgetting that you are going to be standing on the ladder. Your height and reach will actually make a significant difference.

Each house has a bit of a different roofline, so I'd suggest doing your best to estimate the height of the highest gutter on your house. My highest gutters were somewhere in the 16-18 foot range and I'm 6'1", so a 17' ladder was all I needed.

Ladders are definitely not cheap (and each foot adds to the price), so some work up front will save you money. Some other ladder tips - check out multi-purpose ladders (ladders you can use as an indoor stepladder, an extension ladder and they even adjust to work on stairs). I found a nice one (a "Little Giant" knockoff) at Menards for a reasonable price. I used it to cleanup my leaves and now I'm using it to do some painting inside. It's great and it was about the same price as a new extension ladder.

You should also take a look at Craigslist if that's an option for you.

You will need a adjustable foot ladder to reach youR gutter. I suggest anything that can extend 25 ft or more. You can pick one up at lowes hardware or home depot

An average two-story home requires at least a 24-foot ladder. Remember that you have to put the ladder away from the house and angle it, so a ladder won't get you as high as its length.

The smallest ladder you can get away with in a 2 story house assuming 8 foot ceilings is a 20 ft ladder. But I have an even better idea....rather than spending money on a 20 foot ladder only to have to take that risk of falling every year. Look for a local service that installs the "Leaves Out Gutter System". The best thing I ever invested in. it is basically an angled screen that covers your gutters it is shaped in a way that allows the leaves to just slide off the roof while the water can still permeate the screen and be channeled into the gutter how it is supposed to, most of the companies installing this system guarantee that you will never have to clean your gutters again.