What do downspouts connect to?

Downspouts are often directed onto a paved surface, such as a driveway, which sends water directly into the street when it rains. Downspouts may also be connected to a pipe in the ground that connects directly to the sanitary sewer or storm drain system.

What holds a downspout in place?

Aluminum downspouts direct water collected by gutters away from the house and towards the ground. Downspouts can be attached to houses with rivets or metal screws. In the case of installing a downspout onto vinyl siding, a metal screw is used to secure it to the house.

How do downspouts connected together?

Typically, an elbow screws to the gutter opening, then another elbow attaches and runs back to the house wall, creating something of an "S" shape, which allows the downspout to run down the house wall the rest of the way. Allow for about 1 1/2 inches of overlap at each connection.

How are gutter downspouts attached?

Screw a downspout elbow to the outlet tube protruding down from the gutter. Hold another elbow against the house and cut a piece of downspout to fit between the two elbows. Use needlenosed pliers to slightly crimp the elbow to fit into the downspout (as shown). Fasten the parts together with pop rivets or screws.

Where does my downspout drain go?

Some homes connect their gutter downspouts to drains that go underground. We call these gutter drains “underground drains“. The purpose of the underground drain is to re-direct the water away from the home, usually to the street or the sidewalk. Sometimes they even connect directly to the sewer line underground.

3 Options for Extending Your Downspouts

Should downspouts be connected to storm drains?

Downspouts are often directed onto a paved surface, such as a driveway, which sends water directly into the street when it rains. Downspouts may also be connected to a pipe in the ground that connects directly to the sanitary sewer or storm drain system.

How do downspouts attach to brick house?

Use Concrete Screws to Attach Downspout to Gutter

Place the clip around your gutter. Align the holes in the clip with the pilot holes in the brick. Screw a concrete screw into each hole. Once the screws are secure and the clip is snug against the gutter and wall, your job is done.

How do I stop my downspouts from blowing off?

What is downspout drainage system?

A downspout is the vertical section attached to a gutter, typically found on the corner of a home or building. A downspout is a great addition to any drainage solutions system, as it helps channel water away from your home into the dry well, storm drain or other underground drainage system surrounding your home.

Should downspout go into French drain?

A French drain is actually a network of pipes laid in trenches dug beneath the ground through which water runoff can flow. This structure can be attached to your downspouts and will work seamlessly with your existing gutters.

Do gutters drain into sewer?

Gutters and gullies should only collect rainwater and connect to the rainwater drain. Wastewater pipes should not be connected to the rainwater system. If the rainwater gutters and gullies are connected to the wastewater drain, rainwater could overwhelm the drain and cause flooding.

Can you run a downspout into the sewer?

Discharging this water to the wastewater systems is illegal and needs to be addressed. Gutters and downspouts should drain onto your property or into the city stormwater system, not the wastewater system.

Should downspouts go into ground?

Building contractors and plumbers agree that downspouts should go into the ground to tuck them away and maintain a property's aesthetic. Also, underground downspouts are more effective because they can pair with French drains and sump pumps to throw water far away from the building.

Where do downspouts go on a house?

The gutters are attached to one or more downspouts which carry water to the ground. Downspouts are usually placed near a corner of a house at the steepest angle to allow runoff. They are designed to keep water away from the side of the house.

How many downspouts should a house have?

How Many Downspouts Do I Need? A general rule of thumb is one downspout per 20 feet of guttering, but more may be necessary depending on the local weather, the size of the drainage area and the design of the gutter system.

Where should gutter downspouts go?

You'll likely want your downspouts to run down the side or back of your house. Downspouts come in a variety of colors so they can match your siding and won't be so noticeable if they end up closer to the front of the house. 5. Downspouts should extend 4-6 feet away from your home.

Does a rain barrel have to be attached to a gutter?

Rain barrels are usually positioned below the downspout of a roof gutter; however, you can still use a rain barrel if your house doesn't have gutters. You can also attach several rain barrels together with a simple connection kit.

What happens when a rain barrel gets full?

When the rain barrel is full, the diverter shuts off, and the rainwater will simply flow through the gutter like it normally would.

How does a rain barrel downspout diverter work?

The rain barrel downspout diverter attaches to your downspout and channels water into the barrel until it's full. At that point, the diverter automatically sends the water through the downspout and away from your foundation.