While downspouts are a small component of your home’s entire system, their importance cannot be understated. After all, they protect your home from rainwater and melted snow. They also connect your roof and basement to help divert water away from your foundation and your home. This is why it’s important to ensure proper downspout placement is followed.
In today’s blog, the top gutter and residential roofing expert, Roofer Chicks®, shares the importance of proper downspout placement.
How Does Downspout Placement Affect Your Home?
When your downspouts are placed haphazardly, they won’t perform their intended function since they won’t be able to divert water away from your home. Eventually, this will cause water to pond on your roofing system. This is especially apparent for flat roofs. This will also cause damage to your siding and landscaping, tarnishing the way your exterior and your greeneries look. Standing water is also a health hazard since it can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
As time goes on, your roofing contractor will tell you that water will eventually seep into your basement. This will eventually cause wall cracks and mold growth. Depending on how much water has gotten into your basement, it will also compromise your home’s foundation.
Things to Consider for Downspout Placement
Here are some things to consider to ensure that your downspout is properly installed:
- One downspout should be installed for every 40 linear feet of gutter. This allows equal drainage across the system and stops your gutters from overflowing during heavy rains.
- Make sure that your downspout releases water away from your foundation or where it can accumulate. Also, check your landscaping and hardscaping to see if they’re properly pitched from your exterior wall to prevent water from backing up.
- If repositioning your downspouts isn’t an option, make sure that you purchase downspout extenders that are long enough to release water four feet away from your home.
Call on Roofer Chicks® for all your residential and commercial roofing needs. You can count on our experienced team for your roof replacement, maintenance and repairs. Call us at (830) 627-7663 or fill out our online form for a free estimate. We serve clients in San Antonio and New Braunfels, TX.