Knowledge Builders

do i need a downspout

by Claude Kirlin Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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As a rule of thumb, a single downspout is sufficient for 20 feet of gutter. The bigger your house and roof are, the longer gutters you’ll have, which will need more downspouts

Downspout

A downspout, waterspout, downpipe, drain spout, roof drain pipe, leader, or rone (Scotland) is a pipe for carrying rainwater from a rain gutter. Downspouts are usually vertical and usually extend down to ground level. The water is directed away from the building's foundation, to protect th…

. You can add additional downspouts to help enhance drainage, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Image Credit: Rob Bayer, Shutterstock How to Size Downspouts for Your Gutters

If we have to sum it up in a single rule, gutters need a downspout around every 30 to 40 feet. For most homes, this means installing spouts at either end of a gutter section.

Full Answer

What is the difference between gutters and downspouts?

The gutters direct water away from your home, and the downspout carries it out and away from your home’s foundation. They are an integral part to keeping your home free from water damage. Downspout placement varies from home to home.

How many downspouts do I need for my house?

To keep it easy, we recommend that you install one downspout every 20-40 feet of gutter. This will ensure that you are taking the proper precautions to defend against potential water damage to your house. The average home has 2-3 downspouts. But every home is different. Realistically, you can’t install too many.

What is the purpose of a downspout?

A downspout is a pipe that connects to the gutters of your roof. Its purpose is to carry rainwater to an underground drainage system that dumps the water away from your house. The downspout helps protect your home from water damage on the exterior and interior of your house.

Do I need to extend my downspout?

For some homes, the downspout is simply not able to drain enough of the water away from the foundation. While it is the most efficient first step in protecting the home, it may not be the only solution needed. If water still collects in the area, additional steps may be necessary. When this is the case, the downspout will often need to be extended.

Where should I run the downspout?

How to determine how many square inches of downspouts are needed?

Why do people stray away from gutters?

How long have gutters been installed in South Metro?

Does Gutters match siding?

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How to Calculate Gutter and Downspout Capacity | Hunker

Gather some basic weather information to calculate the proper size for gutters and downspouts for a house. The total rainfall and how rapidly it falls will affect the runoff from the roof. An inch of rain is not much, but it if falls in half an hour it could flood a gutter. Total roof area also affects runoff.

Just How Many Downspouts are Needed for Gutters on my Home?

Whether we like it or not, rainfall has been an important part of our lives as it brings sustenance and water to us and our plants. But rainfall doesn’t always bring good things to the table and many times we are faced with rain ruining a good day.

Downspout & Gutter Sizing Calculator | SMACNA

Find popular SMACNA apps, including the Downspout and Gutter Sizing app, HVAC DCS, Round Industrial Duct Construction, Rectangular Industrial Duct Construction, Air Duct Leakage app, and the Reference Manual for Labor Units,

Gutter Calculator - Gutter Gurus

Welcome to Gutter Guru’s online estimator. With this program you can create your own gutter estimate to save 10% on your order. We provide the best products, you decide which ones you want, then we schedule the installation.

How Long Should My Downspouts Be?

A general rule is that that your downspout should extend at least 6ft away from your house. Less than 6ft could be acceptable, but you need a minimum of 4ft.

What Are Downspout Extensions?

Downspouts are the channel that directs the water out of the gutter system and down to the ground, hopefully away from your house.

Why do downspouts go in the wrong direction?

Even worse, they take it in the wrong direction. This could happen for several reasons. Maybe your landscape has changed over time. Perhaps your downspouts are just too short. Downspout extensions are then added to the existing downspouts to make them longer and help your gutter system keep the water where it belongs – far away from ...

What to do instead of a plain block?

Instead of a plain block, maybe a decorative splash pad could be the answer you’re looking for.

Can you reuse rainwater for gardening?

And, if you’ve ever considered collecting your rainwater to reuse for gardening or car washing, you may choose this moment to hook your gutters up to a system that redirects the water into a tank for you to use.

Can gutter helmets be used on gutters?

We just had Gutter Helmet installed on our gutters and couldn't be happier. They provided us with useful information about Gutter Helmet and cleaned up everything, leaving no mess behind. We definitely recommend Gutter Helmet to anyone considering this product.

What is a downspout?

Brief review: Downspout options and gutters. The downspout is the portion of the gutter that drains water away to a safe place on the ground. They come in a variety of shapes (tubes, chains, etc.), but their goal is to prevent gutters from overflowing and give water somewhere to go.

How big is a downspout?

Downspouts tend to be around 2 to 3 inches in diameter, allow for various shapes. But they can come in far larger sizes. Instead of adding a new downspout, there’s often room to switch to a larger spout, which has the same effect.

Why do gutters need extra downspouts?

Roof slope: A high slope moves water more quickly, and if gutters have trouble dealing with a lot of water in a short period of time, an extra downspout can alleviate that issue.

Do small gutters need downspouts?

Smaller gutters may need extra downspouts to make up for their low volume. Climate: Heavy rainstorms put a lot more pressure on gutters. Particularly wet climates could require better drainage systems than relatively dry climates (rainy weather also makes filters and leaf-catchers more important).

Why does downspout location matter?

Why Downspout Location Matters. During a thunderstorm, your gutter works like a funnel. It collects water from the wide surface of your roof and channels it into narrow downspouts. The water builds up momentum as it runs down your gutters, exiting the downspout with a fair amount of force. If your downspout extensions don’t carry it ...

What if Downspouts Have Already Damaged My Home?

Depending on the type of damage the water has done, you may need different repair services. We have a detailed guide to foundation problems, here. You should do a thorough inspection of your home to determine what issues you may have. We recommend that homeowners review their homes at least once (twice is optimal) per year.

What is downspout extension?

Downspout extensions are a preventative measure that can save a homeowner thousands of dollars in future repairs. In this blog, I’ll explain the ripple effect that poor guttering can have on your home, and how well-placed downspouts protect your home.

How far should a downspout drain from the foundation?

We recommend that downspouts drain at a minimum of 10 feet from your foundation. If at all possible, incorporate your yard’s natural grading to improve the drainage flow, and to help move the water farther from your home. Once the extensions are in place, they can be buried in the yard.

How much does it cost to extend a downspout?

If you don’t want to do this project on your own, you can hire a contractor. At Acculevel, the cost to extend a downspout is $300 per 10-foot extension (if the total home repair cost is at least $1,000). Depending on your property and its grading, you may want more than 10 feet (20 feet is optimal if your property allows for it).

What happens when water is deposited close to your house?

It works something like this: Water draining too close to a concrete slab erodes the dirt under the concrete slabs around your home, making them sink. When I say “slab,” I’m talking about your driveway, patios, porches, and walkways.

Is downspout bad for your home?

All of this boils down to a simple fact: downspouts have a powerful and potentially negative impact on your home.

Why is a downspout important?

The downspout helps protect your home from water damage on the exterior and interior of your house. This is why underground downspout drains are an essential component of any residential drainage system.

How much water does a downspout drain give?

The gutter and underground downspout drain are two different parts of a residential drainage system that allows your house to survive millions of gallons of water. Ten inches of rain over the course of 5-6 months on a 1,360-square-foot roof can yield 8,160 gallons of rainwater.

Where is the Underground Downspout Drain Located?

Downspouts connect to the part of a gutter that runs down the side of your house. They are usually placed near a corner of a house at the steepest angle. This allows proper water runoff. Then they carry that water to the underground drainage system.

What is the best material for underground drains?

It should be sturdy, long-lasting, and durable. Typically, the underground drains are made of clay, PVC (a plastic material that is durable), or a perforated plastic pipe.

How to contact Tom Plumber?

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with choosing the downspout to fit your needs.

Does runoff help with moss?

Runoff also will help prevent the build-up of moss or mildew on your roof or where the roof meets the walls of a house.

Does a downspout go underground?

Keep in mind, a portion of the downspout goes underground. So, it’s important that the materials you use for this part of your water runoff drainage system are made of a material that would be approved by a plumber’s code.

Where should I run the downspout?

The goal of the downspout is to assist the gutters. The gutters direct water away from your home, and the downspout carries it out and away from your home’s foundation. They are an integral part to keeping your home free from water damage.

How to determine how many square inches of downspouts are needed?

To determine how many square inches of downspout are needed, first calculate your roof area, your area’s rainfall intensity, and your gutter capacity. Make sure you follow these steps when calculating your gutters and downspout (s) .

Why do people stray away from gutters?

Some people stray away from gutters and downspouts because they are worried about the eyesore. Good news: your gutters and downspout (s) don’t have to stand out! In fact, they can perfectly blend in with your siding so that they are barely noticeable.

How long have gutters been installed in South Metro?

Understanding how many downspouts you need, where to run them, and how to install them correctly can be tricky! Good to Go Gutters has been installing gutters in the south metro for over 20 years. We pride ourselves in quality customer service and a job done right the first time. Give us a call today for your free estimate!

Does Gutters match siding?

Good to Go Gutters guarantees a perfect match to your siding because we offer a wide variety of color choices. If we don’t have the color you’re looking for, we’ll custom match it for you!

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