If you don’t know much about roofs, you probably don’t know what downspouts are. Downspouts are what brings what from the gutters on your roof down to the ground, hence the name. Downspouts can get clogged rather easily, especially if you aren’t taking on gutter maintenance as often as you should. Here’s some tips to improve the overall lifespan and drainage properties of your downspouts.

Improving Downspout Drainage

The first step to improving downspout drainage is to make sure you maintain your gutters. Make sure you’re cleaning, clearing and taking care of any issues that could cause backup into your downspouts.

If you’re not getting enough drainage from your downspouts because they’re too short, you can by downspout extenders that will help send the flow of water and debris further away from where the spout ends. All downspouts should utilize splashblocks. Splashblocks help spread water when they reach the end of the downspout which can keep water from splashing, pooling and seeping into one area.

Whether you’re building a new home or investing in one, you want to make sure that your piping water away from the house. This is why downspouts can be extended, and you should take the time to make sure you’re piping water away. In the event of a heavy storm, this will keep areas around your home from pooling water and potentially flooding into your home.

Unfortunately, not all downspout systems are effective for a home. If you’re having issues with flooding and pooling water, investing in a drainage pipe system might be in order. Have a contractor come out and give you an estimate on redoing the drainage system for your home and see what it can do to prevent issues in the future.

Downspouts are as important as your gutters, and you should treat them as such. If you’re seeing any issues with your downspouts, make sure to have a gutter contractor come out and take a look at them before it becomes too big of an issue to tackle alone.