Your gutters move rainwater off your roof—but without downspouts, it would flow over the edges and pour straight down the sides of your home. That can lead to foundation damage, soil erosion, and even basement flooding.
Downspouts carry rainwater safely away from your property, keeping your home and landscaping in better shape over time. Below, Roof Maxx explains how to choose the right type for your home, make sure they’re installed correctly, and maintain them as needed. We’ll also show you how treating your asphalt shingles with Roof Maxx can help your home hold up better against the elements.
Downspouts are vertical pipes that connect to your gutters and direct water to a safe drainage area. This could be:
Without downspouts, water from your rooftop can cause your gutters to overflow—and can pool around your foundation or seep into your basement. By properly channeling water, downspouts help prevent the kind of water damage that can be expensive to fix.
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Downspouts come in different shapes and styles. The kind you should choose depends on your home’s design and drainage needs. Here are some common examples:
These are normally best for homes with half-round gutters. They look sleek and work well for areas that get moderate rainfall throughout the year. However, they generally have less capacity than rectangular options, which makes them less ideal for regions with lots of rain.
These are the most common choice for residential homes since they tend to be a good match for K-style gutters (the most common kind in America). They can also handle larger volumes of water than round downspouts, which makes them a reliable choice for areas with frequent rainfall.
A more modern alternative to traditional rectangular designs, square downspouts offer similar water-handling capacity but with a contemporary aesthetic. They are often chosen for newer homes or commercial buildings where style is a consideration.
Downspouts come in different styles, but they’re also made with different materials—which offer varying levels of durability, cost, and appearance. Here’s a chart with some common options:
Material | Pros | Cons |
Aluminum |
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Vinyl |
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Copper |
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Galvanized Steel |
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Downspouts come in a few different sizes. Choosing the right one is the best way to make sure your gutters don’t overflow when it rains. Here’s a chart showing standard downspout sizes for North American homes:
Size | Rectangular | Round | Square |
|---|---|---|---|
Small | 2×3 inches | 3 inches | 2×3 inches |
Medium | 3×4 inches | 4 inches | 3×3 inches |
Large | 4×5 inches | 6 inches | 4×4 inches |
Here are some things you should talk about with your contractor before settling on a downspout size:
Gutter Capacity: Your downspouts must match the size and flow rate of your gutters to prevent backups.
Installing downspouts properly makes all the difference in how well they perform. Here are the steps professionals normally take during the job:
We don’t recommend DIY downspout installation—even a single mistake can lead to water leaking down your walls and pooling around your foundation. But there are a few things you can do to maintain your downspouts after they’ve been properly installed.
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Downspouts don’t need much upkeep—but a little maintenance goes a long way:
Check for Leaks: Small cracks or holes can let water escape where you don’t want it. Use a sealant to patch minor leaks.
Even well-maintained downspouts can run into problems. Here are some of the most common issues and how to handle them:
Disconnected Pipes: High winds or ice can pull sections apart. Reattach them with screws and consider adding brackets for extra support.
Well-installed downspouts don’t just protect your gutters, walls, and foundation—they help protect your roof, too. Here’s how:
Keeping water flowing away from your home is one way to protect your shingles, but treating them with Roof Maxx adds another layer of protection. Roof Maxx treatments restore the oil your asphalt shingles naturally lose as they age, improving their flexibility and making them less likely to crack when exposed to the elements.
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Downspouts are easy to overlook, but they play a key role in protecting your home from water damage. A well-installed and maintained drainage system will help you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Whether you’re installing new downspouts, replacing old ones, or just checking for issues, the work involved is always worth it. And taking other steps to upgrade your roof can help as well! Find a Roof Maxx dealer near you to discover how treating your shingles with our solution made from natural ingredients can help them last longer and preserve the roof over your head.
With our five-year, transferable warranty, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that your roof and entire home are protected.
Roof Maxx Technologies LLC
