Here are some tips for proper downspout placement.
A gutter system isn’t all about the gutters. To be effective, it relies on downspouts, the fat pipes where gutters lead water, which drive water away from your home and into the drain or onto the yard. Gutters alone are less effective if all they do is lead water to a hole, from where it drops directly to the ground. Downspouts complete the process that prevents rainwater from causing damage. Here are some tips for proper downspout placement.
Why are Downspouts Important?
A downspout is a pipe that comes in various colors and materials. It connects to a hole in the gutter channel and runs vertically down your home. The bottom of the downspout bends away from your home and carries water out to your yard or other designated place. Without downspouts, rainwater can leak into your home, causing foundation issues, mold, mildew, and dry rot. Downspouts are also necessary for eliminating erosion. Downspouts are a cost-effective preventive measure. It’s much cheaper to install them upfront rather than pay for potential water damage to your home.
Downspouts Should Lead Water Away from Your Home
Downspouts determine where water from the gutters will discharge to protect residential and commercial roofing and the buildings they protect from water damage. If your downspouts are poorly placed, that water can cause plenty of issues..
Your downspouts should be placed so they take water where it cannot cause problems. They cannot be too short, either, so it’s a good idea to buy downspout extensions long enough to lead water into a drain or onto the yard. You should also consider installing splash blocks to keep excess water from splashing about instead of entering the downspout.
More Tips for Downspout Placement
You should find out as much as you can about where downspouts should be placed, even if you’re hiring a professional to do the job. Here are some general guidelines.
- Install at least one downspout for every 40 feet of gutter. This distance is adequate for most homes as it allows water to drain into a downspout even during heavy downpours without overflowing.
- Never position a downspout so it discharges close to your home or its foundation. In some cases, landscape or hardscape features can block the natural flow of water and force it to pool next to your house. Ground seepage can lead to a flooded basement or an eroded foundation.
- If downspouts cannot be installed where they lead water away from the house, install downspout extensions. You can also install extensions to lead water around landscaping features into a drain or an area where it cannot cause damage.
- If possible and legal, install a downspout that connects to an underground pipe that leads water into the city storm sewer.
Professional Gutter Repair and Installation
Thank you for considering Gutter Freedom as your preferred choice for gutter installation, protection, and repair. With over ten years of proven excellence, we bring our expertise to your doorstep and ensuring that your home is equipped with a gutter system that stands the test of time. Contact us today to experience the Gutter Freedom and Home difference – where quality, experience, and customer satisfaction converge. Please reach out to us at 727-266-0355 for the fastest service. For other inquiries, please contact us via email at [email protected].