The downspout is responsible for much of your gutter system’s draining performance. Without the downspout in place, rainwater will just fill and flow over the sides of the gutters, leaving your home’s exterior and foundation with possible structural damage. But just having a downspout installed isn’t actually enough–it has to be placed just right. Deschutes Roofing & Insulation, the premier asphalt shingle and metal roofing company, shares why proper downspout placement is important.
- Prevents water damage. When the downspout is placed the right way, rainwater is directed smoothly away from your home. This means there’s less chance of standing water developing inside the gutter system, which not only creates roof leaks (when the pooling water starts seeping behind the fascia board), but can cause the system to pull away from the roofline.
- Keeps your landscaping intact against soil erosion. Proper downspout placement means correct draining performance. Since the runoff from your roofing system ends up where it should, the soil around your property and landscaping can remain intact.
Essentials to Know About Downspout Placement
To ensure proper downspout placement, the following rules should be taken into account before work begins:
- Consider the roof pitch when positioning both gutters and downspouts. This helps prevent water from backing up under the shingles and causing leaks. So you can accurately determine proper roof pitch, as well as gutter and downspout placement, consult a residential roofing and gutter expert like Deschutes Roofing & Insulation.
- The number of downspouts is crucial. The general rule of thumb is to place a downspout per every 40 linear feet of gutter. This is enough to help reduce the volume of runoff handled by your gutters during a particularly heavy downpour.
- The downspout should be placed strategically. This means its location should not allow for rainwater to pool near your home’s exterior wall and foundation. For instance, avoid placing the downspout along with areas where paving stones and walkways aren’t pitched correctly away from the exterior wall. That’s because these stones create a sort of ‘dam’ that lets water build-up right near your home.
Your Trusted Roofing and Gutters Expert
From residential roof maintenance and gutter replacement to commercial roofing installation, Deschutes Roofing & Insulation remains your top choice. That’s because we work hard to give you a positive and rewarding experience, no matter the project. Call us today at (541) 313-5944 (Bend), (503) 967-9590, (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego), or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton). You may also fill out this contact form to schedule your roof evaluation. We serve Eugene and the rest of Central Oregon.
