Adding downspouts and a drainage system to your home can be the perfect finishing touch. Gutters let water flow down from higher areas so they can gush away from the foundation and safely downspout into the ground. The purpose of guttering is to control the amount of water that is absorbed by the ground and directed into the foundation. In other words, guttering and downspouts prevent water from being soaked up by the ground and then sitting on it causing damage.

What is a downspout?

A downspout is a trough where rainwater collects. They are usually made out of glass or polyethylene or any other material that allows water to pour into them and then run away with a slow drip. Gutters can be found in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Most homeowners will put one in at their home.

Why use gutters?

Gutters prevent water from getting into the base of the house. This can be very dangerous because rainwater could contain chemicals, heavy machinery oils and other pollutants that can be harmful. This also means that rainwater could potentially flood the basement.

Why put gutters in?

Gutters and downspouts are important parts of a home’s drainage system. If these systems are not functioning properly, then the foundation of the home can eventually cave in. This would result in massive damage to the home and an even larger loss of property.

Downspouts

I have heard homeowners explain what a downspout is to a family member. They might explain that it is like a garden hose that collects rainwater and directs it away from the home. This explanation might make sense, but there is a lot more to what does a downspout do than just keep water away from your home. The gutter provides the foundation for the gutters and provides a means for them to discharge water, as well. The system actually works together with the downspout by channeling stormwater runoff from your roof down the gutter and into the ground.

Questions To Ask

These are some of the most important questions you should ask yourself when adding downspouts and a drainage system to your home. Homeowners who install their own gutters might already know this information. However, if you are considering installing your own gutters, don’t overlook the importance of this important home improvement project. Gutters and downspouts are the heart of any quality drainage system, and installing one without adequate protection can lead to serious problems for your home and its foundation in the long run. You might even end up replacing your gutters sooner than expected.