Where Should Gutter Downspouts Be Placed?

Where should gutter downspouts be placed?

Owning a home comes with the responsibility of maintaining its interior and exterior. When it comes to exterior upkeep, an important home feature to consider is your gutter system.

A gutter system can be straightforward. As you may already know, your gutter system functions by collecting water run-off from your roof when it rains before diverting it away from your property. Simple enough, right? Contrary to popular belief, your home's gutter system is constructed of more than what meets the eye. Therefore, you may be thinking, "where should gutter downspouts be placed?" or “can I do this myself to improve my gutter system's drainage?”

These questions and more are what we will be tackling in our article today. Therefore, to learn more about gutter downspouts, keep reading below.

What is a downspout in a gutter?

Your gutters are made of several parts, and one of the important features is the gutter channel. These channels are installed horizontally along with your home, right beneath your roof.

These gutter channels can then be attached to downspouts, which are installed vertically against the side of your home. Therefore, as water collects in your gutter channels, it flows to the downspouts to be diverted away from your property. When looking at your gutter system, you may notice that your downspouts are angled towards the bottom. This slight angle helps your downspouts to push water away from your home so it does not seep into your landscaping.

Where should gutter downspouts be placed?

Generally speaking, downspouts should be placed every 30 to 40 feet along your gutter system. This usually means your downspouts are placed at the corners of your home or at the end of each channel piece. Once your downspouts are connected, they should be secured to your home using fasteners. These fasteners help ensure that your downspouts remain in place and avoid detaching from your home, thus, helping prevent damage to the side of your home from occurring. With that being said, if you live in a region in the United States that experiences heavy rainfall, you may need to install more downspouts along the exterior of your home. This is because your downspouts are sized to account for the average run-off of your home.

Therefore, places with heavier rainfall may either need larger downspouts or more frequently installed downspouts to account for how much rain that might need to be drained. On the other hand, if you live in a state that does not experience frequent rainfall, your home may be okay with the traditional downspout placement.

How do you install a rain gutter downspout?

While DIY home renovation projects could be exciting and save you money, installing gutter downspouts can be a difficult task that you may want to leave to a professional. Not only would you need to purchase the correct tools and equipment for the job, but you may also need to stand on a tall ladder to undergo the installation process. This can be dangerous and lead to potential injuries that could otherwise be prevented. Additionally, gutter downspout installation needs to be precise, otherwise, it could cause more damage to your home and cost you more money in the long run. Therefore, if you require new downspouts or a new gutter system, homeowners may want to consider hiring a professional gutter installation team to safely and accurately oversee this project.

What are gutter extensions?

As mentioned, your gutter downspouts are installed vertically along your gutter channels at an angle to divert water away from your property. However, these downspouts are typically constructed to end a couple inches away from your home. While this is still often effective in pushing excess water out, there may be room for improvement, which is why some homeowners may choose to install gutter extensions. Gutter extensions, also known as downspout extensions, are an attachment that connects to the bottom of your downspouts to push water further away from your property. This could help add extra protection to your home to ensure the water that drains from your downspouts does not seep into your property.

How far away from the house should gutters drain?

Depending on the size of your property, homeowners may want to ensure their gutters drain at least 4 to 6 feet away from the edge of their home to help prevent water damage over time. With that being said, homeowners may purchase gutter extensions for added protection if needed. Furthermore, if you have an open-faced gutter system, it is important to maintain your gutter system throughout the year to avoid clogging as it could help prevent water drainage and damage to their home.

How do you hide downspouts on gutters?

If you want to hide your downspouts to enhance your curbside appeal, homeowners could opt to paint their downspouts the same color as their home. While this may not cover it completely, it can help camouflage it, making it less of a focal point when looking at your property. Further, you could also install vine features to wrap around your downspouts.

If your current gutter system is damaged or needs replacing, book a free consultation with Local Home Pro to learn more! Our local gutter installers can help you decide what the best gutter system is for your home, based on your needs and your budget! Get started on your new gutter project today!