When most homeowners think about their gutters, they picture the horizontal troughs running along the roofline. But here’s the thing—your downspouts do just as much work. If they’re missing, clogged, or not set up right, it can lead to water damage fast. I’ve seen it plenty of times in homes around Metro Detroit.
Let’s break down why downspouts matter just as much as the gutters themselves.
What Do Downspouts Actually Do?
They Move Water Away From Your Home
The gutters collect rainwater—but it’s the downspouts that direct it safely away from your foundation. Without properly placed or functioning downspouts, water pools around your home, leading to:
- Foundation cracks
- Basement leaks
- Soil erosion
- Concrete shifting
One Bad Downspout = One Big Problem
Even if the rest of your system is spotless, a single clogged or broken downspout can back everything up. Water will spill over the sides of your gutters or pour straight down onto siding, windows, and landscaping.
How Many Downspouts Do You Really Need?
It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. A general rule we follow is 1 downspout for every 30–40 feet of gutter, but roof pitch, square footage, and rainfall patterns all play a role. That’s why having a pro inspect your setup is key.
Common Downspout Issues We See in Michigan
Clogs from Leaves and Debris
Just like gutters, downspouts clog up with leaves, shingle grit, and twigs—especially in the fall. A clogged downspout makes the whole gutter system useless.
Downspouts Too Short
We often find downspouts that dump water right next to the foundation. That’s asking for trouble. We recommend extending them at least 4 to 6 feet away from your house.
Poor Placement or Slope
If a downspout empties onto a walkway, driveway, or toward a neighbor’s home, that’s a drainage fail. We make sure the slope and positioning protect your property (and keep your neighbors happy too).
Don’t Ignore the Downspouts
Gutters get all the attention, but downspouts do the heavy lifting when it comes to protecting your home’s foundation. If they’re not working right, you’re still at risk—even if your gutters are clean.
At J&A Exterior, we inspect your entire gutter system, not just the top edge. We make sure the water gets where it needs to go—away from your home.
Need Help With Your Downspouts?
If you’ve got pooling water, sagging gutters, or clogged downspouts, let us take a look. We’re local, fast, and honest—and we’ll make sure your whole system is working like it should.
📍 Serving Metro Detroit with honest, expert work—every time.
Ready to get started? Contact J&A Exterior today!
📞 Call us at (248)-403-0281
📧 Email us at office@jaexterior.com
🌐 Visit our website at www.jaexterior.com
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