Your home’s eavestrough and downspouts are intended to capture runoff from the roof and direct it away from your foundation. When these systems fail, water can seep into basement walls, leading to serious foundation damage.
If your gutters and downspouts are leaking, there are several steps you can take to repair them. Doing so will prevent water from damaging your house as well as its landscaping.
Identifying the Problem
Downspouts are an integral part of your gutter system, diverting water away from your home. If you notice that your downspouts are malfunctioning, you may need to take action.
Basement Flooding: When rains come pouring down, downspouts are essential in keeping your basement dry. Unfortunately, if these systems become clogged or damaged, flooding could occur in your basement.
Increased Soil Moisture Levels: Pooling rainwater can cause soil moisture levels to become imbalanced, potentially leading to foundation issues such as large cracks in load-bearing walls and uneven flooring.
Sagging Gutters: Failing downspouts can cause your gutters to sag or collapse, especially if they’re clogged with leaves and small branches. As a result, water may seep over the top and cause staining on siding as well as potentially damage to the foundation.
Eavestrough Downspout repair can assist you with any problems you are having with your downspouts. With a little time and effort, you can ensure they are functioning optimally.
Disconnecting the Downspout
Disconnecting your downspout from the municipal sewer system is an effective way to redirect the water that runs off your roof and onto your yard. Doing so reduces the amount of pollutants, oils, and chemicals that end up in local streams and rivers.
Depending on the size of your yard, this task may be achievable by yourself or you may need to hire a professional. Though not an especially complex job, it will require some time and energy.
Downspout disconnects are an economical, straightforward, and effective stormwater management practice that can keep your basement dry and promote natural infiltration. Plus, they save money on utility bills!
Replacing the Downspout
Downspouts are an integral component of any gutter system and drainage strategy. When installed properly, downspouts help prevent water from pooling next to your house, damaging its foundation or creating a flooded basement.
Repairing a downspout is an easy DIY project that will improve the appearance of your eavestrough and protect further damage to your home’s foundation or siding. But before you get started, be sure you have all necessary tools.
First, inspect the area of the downspout that has been damaged. This may involve taking apart the downspout and using it as a template to indicate where you need to cut or patch.
If a portion of your downspout is beyond repair, you may need to replace it with another section. New downspouts come in various sizes and shapes; alternatively, you could reuse an existing downspout for partial replacement.
Sealing the Joint
Sealing the joint is paramount for protecting your gutter system from leaks. The joint where your gutter meets its downspout is particularly vulnerable to damage from excessive water pressure.
A correctly applied, high-quality sealant is an essential step in the construction process. It blocks water, air, heat and vapor from entering your building or structure.
The incorrect sealant can wreak havoc on your building, rendering it unsustainable and damaging the environment, necessitating costly repairs to restore.
Select a product that can withstand anticipated movement. Many joint sealer errors arise from miscalculating how much movement will occur or selecting an inadequate material to handle it.
Testing methods such as ASTM C719 tests can determine if a sealant can withstand prolonged exposure to climate-specific movements and weather conditions. These tests determine if your sealant can last in different climates for an extended period of time.