The downspout is a very important part of your home's gutter system. It's what directs the water away from your foundation. In order for it to work properly, your entire gutter system has to be installed properly, so rain drains as it should. Here are some tips for making sure your downspout is set up properly.
Install the Right Size
Rain gutters come in different sizes. You need to choose ones that are suitable for the slope and square footage of your home. This ensures water doesn't flood the gutters during a heavy rain. You'll need to consult a gutter size calculator if you plan to install the gutters yourself. If you hire a contractor to put in your new gutters, they will calculate the correct size for you.
Position the Downspout
The first step to installing new gutters is to figure out where you'll position the downspout. You may want to place it where the roof angles, or where it will be convenient to drain, such as a natural slope on your property. You don't need to put the spout right by your porch or front door where it will be an eyesore, since you can adjust your gutters to put it anywhere. That's why you want to place the downspout first. Then you can work the gutters around it. If you let the downspout empty right onto the ground, you'll need a directional bend and a splash pad for the water to fall out on. If you'd rather install something a little more pleasing to the eye, you can send your downspout underground and attach it to a longer pipe that drains out into the street.
Angle the Rain Gutters
One you know where the downspout will be positioned, you'll want to hang the gutters at a slight angle, so they drain towards the spout. You can install gutters in sections or have seamless gutters custom made for your home. In either case, they have to be hung at an angle, so gravity can move water through the system towards the downspout. You may want to add gutter guards to the top of the troughs to keep out leaves too. Leaves and twigs will float along with the water towards the downspout, and they may eventually clog it. A guard will keep out debris, so you don't have to worry about your downspout backing up.
When you clean out your gutters every autumn, be sure to check your downspout too. You won't be able to see inside it, but you can test it for clogs by running water from a hose through your gutters. If your spout seems to be jammed, you can stick a hose or long stick inside to break apart the clog. When your downspout works the way it should, water is diverted away from your foundation, and that can prevent a wet basement and foundation damage. By keeping your gutters and downspout in good working order, you may prevent costly damage caused by water pooling around your home. For assistance, talk to a professional like Custom Exteriors.
Share4 May 2015
My name is Debbie Greenberg. I’m a single woman who owns her home, and like most homeowners I dread home repairs. I’m not very handy with do-it-yourself projects around the house. I can do a few minor repairs when necessary, but for the most part I have to call in a professional. Last year I had a leak in my roof. When it rained, water would leak into my kitchen. What appeared to be a simple fix turned out to be anything but simple. It took over four months to finally identify the problem, and double the money I was initially quoted to fix it. The problem ended up being that the flat part of my roof didn't have shingles, but a sheeting material. I learned a bit about home roofs along the way, and that is what I want to share with you.
