Rainy Season Tips: Measuring and Installing Downspouts at Home

During the rainy season, it is important to make sure that our homes are protected from water. While houses will usually have pre-installed water systems complete with the necessary drains and pipelines, some homeowners prefer to have their own downspouts installed. For some, this can be an upgrade to the pipelines that they already have, but other homeowners prefer to have downspouts installed to replace old ones that need replacing or upgrading. 

Image from Bogs Inspection Services

The rainy season in the Philippines is usually a time when a number of strong storms enter the country’s area of responsibility. These storms can be a struggle and even a threat for homes that do not have enough or efficient downspouts installed. Homeowners who want to install their own downspouts can mount their own pipelines, but it will require sufficient knowledge and tools in order to be done correctly. If you are a homeowner who wants to set up your own downspouts at home, we will share some of the necessary tips that can help you successfully measure and install them.

First Things First: Secure Your Ladder

Among the first things that you need to prepare before setting up your own downspouts at home is a sturdy ladder. If not properly arranged and secured next to the closest surface, your ladder can easily fall and cause you some serious injuries. A helpful tip is to purchase a ladder stabilizer that will help you retain the position of your ladder safely against a steady surface. A stabilizer will also help you lock in your ladder above the gutter and not below it. This arrangement is optimal for your safety, since it allows you to be much closer to the gutter. 

Another important tip to remember is to make sure that your ladder has reversible stands with rubber teeth. This will help your anchor your ladder on top of any cement surface and increase your safety. 

Measure Correctly 

Image from French Drain Man

When getting the measurements for the pipe, make sure to put the measurement tape flush against the soffit of your roof or balcony, or wherever you have planned to have the downspout run through. The soffit is the underside of any eaves, and the weave is any overhanging structure past your home’s exterior walls. When measuring the location for the downspout, it is also important to consider the length between the edge of your soffit and the part of the exterior wall where the downspout will be installed. 

A Leaf Guard Is Your Friend

Another helpful tip when installing a downspout is to use a leaf guard. A leaf guard, also known as a gutter strainer or gutter guard, is a house fixture that can significantly reduce the amount of debris that can enter the opening of the downspout. This will help keep the pipe from being blocked by leaves or any other debris that can enter the pipe through the gutter. 

Image from Gutter Help

A helpful trick when picking a leaf guard is to purchase a fixture with the exact same sizing as your downspout. This will help reduce the sealant needed and it will also help the fixture become more secure when installed through the gutter. While leaf guards protect the pipe from leaves and other debris, frequent maintenance is necessary to reduce the blockage and prevent your gutter from flooding.

Pick The Best Material

Image from TheSpoutOff

When choosing a downspout, it is best to choose the safest material possible. Stainless steel or aluminum are the best materials for downspouts since they are not easily damaged by weather or constant exposure to water. 

When it comes to selecting the best sealant, make sure to choose a sealant specific for siding and gutters. Look for a sealant that is urethane-caulk based instead of silicone-caulk based since they are UV resistant, long-lasting, and do not emit a strong smell, unlike some silicone sealants. 

Know Where To Begin

Image from PJ Fitzpatrick

When installing the downspout, make sure to start at the highest point and work your way up. This means that you have to begin attaching the pipe to the gutter before installing the pipe’s end to the drain. This allows for more room in adjusting if there are minor mistakes in measurement since it will be easier to remove the bottom part of the downspout from the drain than to remove the sealed upper part of the downspout from the gutter. 

It is also important to make sure to meet at the elbows (the curved parts) of the downspout because that is the most flexible part that can be adjusted when necessary. 

The Importance Of Properly Measuring And Installing Downspouts

Properly measuring and installing downspouts at home can be a challenging task, but it is a feasible job for people who have sufficient knowledge of home repair and the utilization of the right tools. When installing the fixtures, it is important to do it right to ensure that it will work properly, without the risk of it posing harm to the people who live in the house. By following the tips mentioned in this article, it can be easier to measure and install downspouts at your home to keep you safe and dry during this rainy season. 

References:

• Home RenoVision DIY (Writer). (n.d.). [TV series episode].
• RainGutters. (n.d.). Best Caulk for your Gutters. Rain Gutter Pros. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.raingutterprosinc.com/best-caulk-for-your-gutters/
• Rubio, P. (2020, August 3). How to Install A Downspout For Your Gutter: A Step By Step Guide. Western States Metal Roofing. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.westernstatesmetalroofing.com/blog/how-to-install-downspout-on-gutter