Why Are Gutter Downspouts Important For My Home?
Downspouts play a crucial role in protecting a home’s foundation and preventing water damage. Without properly functioning downspouts, rainwater can accumulate around the foundation, leading to soil erosion, basement seepage, and even structural damage. By redirecting water away form the house, downspouts help to maintain the integrity of the foundation and ensure that the home stays dry and safe during heavy rainfall.
How do I know if my gutters are functioning properly?
It is important to ensure that your downspouts are functioning properly to avoid costly water damage to your home. There are a few signs you can look out for.
If water is flowing quickly out of the downspouts, it is a good sign your downspouts are functioning properly. If water is flowing slowly, or if you notice water overflowing from the gutters, this may be a sign of a blockage or clog.
Another sign to look out for is sagging gutters or gutters that are pulling away from the home are a sign they may not be properly secured. It could also be a sign that the weight of a heavy rain is too much for your current gutter system.
If you notice debris such as leaves and twigs in your gutters that can indicate that your gutters need to be cleaned. (Note: Many gutter leaf guard products not only keep debris out of your gutter but allow water to roll over the top of the gutter and fall next to the foundation, defeating the purpose of the gutters! When spending thousands on these products to keep your gutters clean, make sure they don’t create a different problem.)
Additionally, signs of water damage around your home such as water stains, discoloration on walls, or active basement seepage could indicate that your downspouts need to be replaced. It is important to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage and to ensure the safety and structural integrity of your home.
What should I look for in a new downspout installation?
When considering a new downspout installation, you should keep a few things in mind. First, downspout size is important. Midwest downspouts are generally 2” x 3” wide. When a heavy rain comes these small sized downspouts cannot keep up with the water volume, leading to overflowing gutters.
Generally, in the Midwest, aluminum should be used and not plastic. Aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion and are also well suited to handle heavy rain, snow, and wind, while plastic downspouts tend to split apart during the frigid winters.
Water placement should also be considered. Downspouts will generally have a short elbow at ground level which dumps water close to the foundation. Downspouts should carry water away from the foundation by a minimum of 10 feet and should carry water to areas that allow for easy drainage. In many cases Underground Downspout Extensions are the perfect solution to managing water distribution.
How are new downspouts installed?
U.S Waterproofing removes your old downspouts and installs oversized 3” x 4” wide downspouts, which allow for an increased flow of water and decrease the likelihood of clogging. We use rivets instead of screws to connect downspouts, so that no debris is caught in the downspouts on the protruding screw tips inside the gutter. Downspout replacement is a quick process that requires little, if any disruption. We offer downspouts in most common colors — white, brown, black, and almond. Even if you just need one or two downspouts replaced, we can accommodate you, while many gutter companies require you commit to a minimum number.
U.S. Waterproofing believes that properly functioning downspouts are vital to preventing unwanted problems and ensuring peace of mind for your home. Over 500,000 homeowners have trusted us because of our unmatched customer service, outstanding warranties, and because we get the job done right the first time. Schedule your free consultation online today!
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