Downspout installation, repair and drainage
Gutters collect the water. Downspouts decide whether it drains safely away or ends up against your foundation.
What our customers say.
A downspout carries water from the gutter down to the ground and away from your house. Many overflow problems blamed on gutters are really downspout problems. There may be too few downspouts, they may be too small or blocked, or they may empty right next to the foundation. Fixing downspouts is often the simplest fix for overflowing gutters, and one of the most important.
What downspout work do we do?
- New downspouts in standard (2×3) and oversized (3×4) sizes, color matched to your gutters and placed where water can drain away.
- Extensions and splash blocks so water lands well away from your foundation instead of digging a trench beside it.
- Connections to underground drains, including the fitting where they join, which is where they most often fail.
- Unclogging and repair of existing downspouts, including loose elbows and crushed sections hidden behind shrubs.
- Adding downspouts where a house has too few for its roof. This is common on older homes and additions.
How many downspouts does a house need?
A good rule is one downspout for every 30 to 40 feet of gutter. You may need more if a large or steep section of roof drains into that gutter. Steep roofs send water down faster, so they need more downspouts, not fewer. A long gutter with one downspout at the far end often overflows at the other corner. The water can’t travel along the gutter fast enough.
Where should downspout water go?
On many homes, downspouts empty right at the base of the wall. That’s the most important thing to fix. Water against a foundation seeps into crawl spaces, makes the ground settle, and keeps siding damp. Here are your options, from least to most expensive: a longer extension, a splash block on ground that slopes away, or a connection to an underground drain line. We’ll tell you which makes sense for your yard.
Should downspouts connect to underground drains?
Many homes here have buried drain lines nobody has checked in 20 years. Two problems are common. The connection at the top comes apart, so the downspout empties into the ground beside the house. Or the line itself gets clogged with roots or silt. We can check the connection and clear the top section. If the line is collapsed or full of roots further out, you’ll need a drainage contractor, and we’ll tell you so.
Common questions
My downspout gurgles and backs up. What is that?
Almost always a blockage lower down, often at the bend where it enters an underground drain, or where debris has packed into the bottom elbow. It’s usually a quick fix once we can reach it.
Are 3×4 downspouts worth it over 2×3?
Yes, in many cases. A 3×4 downspout carries about twice as much water as a 2×3. It’s the right match for a 6-inch gutter, and worth the small extra cost on any large or steep roof.
Can downspouts go inside the wall?
Some home styles have them, but we generally don’t recommend adding one. If an inside downspout fails, it leaks inside your walls instead of outside.
Can you add downspouts without replacing the gutters?
Yes. If your gutters are in good shape, we can cut a new opening and add a downspout. It’s a simple job.
Where we work
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