The downspout is an important part of gutter installation. While gutters do a lot of work in directing rainwater away from your home, downspouts finish the job by getting the water as far away from your foundation as possible.
What is a downspout?
A downspout is a pipe that comes in a variety of 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.
Are they necessary?
Yes! 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 damages to your home down the road.
Where should I place the downspout?
Downspout placement will vary from home to home. Here are a few things to consider:
1. One downspout should not drain more than 35 feet of gutter, so it’s possible your home will require more than one.
2. Where do you want the water to end up? For example, you probably don’t want the water rushing into your flowerbeds.
3. What is the slope of your yard? If you have a flat yard, you’ll need the downspout to extend further away from your home compared to a sloped yard.
4. Think of the visual appeal. You’ll likely want your downspouts to run down the side or back of your house. Downspouts come in a variety of colors so they can match your siding and won’t be so noticeable if they end up closer to the front of the house.
5. Downspouts should extend 4-6 feet away from your home. In fact, the further away from the foundation the better.
Extra tip: putting gravel or rocks at the end of the downspout is a great way to avoid erosion.
Call Good to Go Gutters today!
Good to Go Gutters is an expert in gutter and downspout installation, and we treat every home as if it’s our own. We’ll bring quality service and leave you with a gutter system that is guaranteed to protect your home for as long as you live in it. Give us a call today for your free estimate!