A downspout is a vertical, tube-like device that extends from the gutter to the ground. Its main purpose is to direct excess rainwater or melting snow away from the foundation of your home, minimizing the chances of soil erosion, foundation flooding and other persistent problems. In this post, gutter repairs expert Patriot Gutters LLC talks about four quick, interesting facts about your rain gutter downspouts.
1. An inch of rain in a day can deliver over 600 gallons of water from the roof to the gutters and downspouts. If a 1000-square-foot roof empties into four downspouts that are not properly extended to a drainage system, then each pipe will spout around 150 gallons of water next to the foundation of the home.
2. Water runoff is the number one cause of basement flooding. An excessive amount of moisture, let alone rainwater, can be extremely damaging to the appliances and other electrical systems located in the basement. Make sure that you have the correct size of gutters and downspouts installed in your home to ward off moisture-related issues such as leaks and mold.
3. K-style, round, and rectangular are three types of downspouts. While round and rectangular are self-explanatory, K-style means that the outside shape of the gutter installation product vaguely resembles the letter K. It is designed so that a larger volume of water can pass through and damage due to falling leaves can be avoided.
4. Your house needs more than two downspouts. Many homeowners believe that at least two downspouts are adequate to protect a household. However, the truth is that for every 20 to 25 feet of roofline, one downspout is required. This number can increase depending on the amount of rainwater your local area is frequently exposed to.
Whether you need to install downspouts, French drains, or gutters guards, you can trust the professionals at Patriot Gutters LLC to deliver your exterior improvement needs smoothly and efficiently. Call us at (405) 925-0188 or fill out our online form to request a free, no-obligation quote. We are proudly serving Oklahoma City, OK, and other nearby communities.