Downspouts are designed to carry runoff away from the foundation of your home, preventing costly water damage. Aluminum gutters and their corresponding downpipes typically have a lifespan of 20 years. However, if you’re not sure how old they are or they don’t appear to be functioning the way they did last year, here are some practical ways of identifying and dealing with issues due to damaged downspouts.
Types of Damage
Downspouts can become damaged in a number of ways including:
- Being crushed
- Becoming dented
- Missing brackets, loose hardware, or detached elbow/section
- Blockages
- Leaks due to split/worn seams
While a small crushed section or one or two dents in a downspout might not appear critical, dents and crushed areas restrict the flow of water from out of the gutters, through the downpipes, and into the ground a safe distance from the house. Regardless of the reason for the damage, downspouts not functioning the way they should need attention, especially before winter arrives.
Assess the Amount of Damage
After identifying the type of damage that has occurred, it’s time to assess the extent of the repairs required. Do you need a new elbow or to replace two troughs or use sealant to reseal seams or fill in holes? When deciding whether you should replace the downspouts or repair them the best way is to determine the degree of damage.
If you are constantly filling in cracks or resealing seams to stop leaks, or tightening brackets and it still doesn’t fix the issue, perhaps it’s time to consult a gutter contractor to help you figure out what’s going on.
Don’t DIY a downspout repair or replacement if the fascia boards around the gutter outlet or the siding panels behind the downspout are stained or have damp patches that never seem to dry up. These typically are signs of wood rot and are often an indication of more serious problems that could result in structural failure.
Making Repairs
Some types of repairs require that the downspouts be removed from the siding and the affected section be separated from the other sections.
Crushed or dented: Insert a small piece of wood and manipulate it until the metal is pushed back into place. Be aware, this kind of repair is effective only on small dents or slightly crushed areas.
Missing, loose, or detached: Missing or loose hardware or detached elbows interrupt the flow of runoff and allow it to end up on the siding or pooled near the foundation. Replace missing brackets; tighten loose hardware. Re-attach or replace the downspout elbow at the top of the downspout where it connects at the gutter outlet.
Blockages: Ensure the gutter outlet is free of debris. Check for blockages inside the downpipes by performing the garden hose test . Insert the hose into the gutter outlet. You want to see a steady stream of water exiting the downspout; a trickle means a clog somewhere inside the pipe. If there is a clog inside the pipe use a plumbing snake or auger to remove the clog.
Leaks: Water escaping from downspout sections needs to be repaired. Apply fresh caulk to worn or damaged seams to prevent stained siding, and mould growth.
