The Importance of Downspouts

Do you remember your old friend the itsy bitsy spider? She’s been climbing up that same “waterspout” for quite a while now, and it’s looking a little worse for wear. This is good news for the spider, but definitely bad news for your home.

What is a Downspout?

The “waterspout” referred to in the nursery rhyme is more commonly known as a downspout. An essential part of a functioning gutter system, the downspout is what the water travels through after being collected in your gutters. It’s that long pipe leading down the siding of your property which guides the water to a safe place to soak into. Want to know more about the importance of the downspout? Spiders need not continue reading!

Final Destination: Downspout Edition

Mentioned earlier, the downspout carries the water to where you want it to go: away from the home. To ensure that the downspout is doing its job correctly, the water should be exiting at least five feet away from your house. The whole point is to keep large amounts of moisture away from the foundation of the home, so technically the farther away the better. If not, risk for basement flooding or foundation damage increases.

What About My Splash Rocks?

Yes, yes. They are pretty. But are they doing enough to protect your home? Splash rocks can take on a variety of forms and arrangements, but basically they’re just rocks at the foot of the downspout that take the impact of the water exiting your gutter system. If you’re utilizing splash rocks, it’s likely that they form some sort of waterway attempting to lead the water away from the home, and most often the downspout is kept short to allow space for the rocks. Truth is, if you haven’t installed an impermeable sheet (most likely made of plastic) underneath, then your splash rocks may not be up to the job. It’s easy for water to break down pieces and chunks of rock after a few months of rainfall, so your best bet is a proper full-length downspout.

The Downfall Without a Downspout

Even if your gutters are in great condition, a malfunctioning downspout puts all their work to waste. If you have worries that your rusty spout may be in need of some TLC, be sure to give us a call at 269-781-5935 before your itsy bitsy problem turns into a gigantic disaster!