Downspouts are often overlooked, yet they are as important as the gutter troughs. And, working downspouts can save you from headaches and unexpected costs.
Overflowing Gutters
The fewer the obstructions, the more efficient the gutters become. But let’s not forget the role that downspouts play in this. Working downspouts help make sure that the gutter troughs always have enough headroom to avoid overflowing.
Water-Damaged Roofing
Working downspouts also help prevent damage to your roofing by keeping rainwater from backing up onto the roof deck. Moisture that penetrates the underlying roofing layers can get trapped, which can lead to damage to the decking material, the support structure and components, such as insulation and fasteners. Trapped moisture can also cause mold and mildew growth, which can negatively affect indoor air quality.
Water Around the House Foundations
Leaking or damaged downspouts would defeat the purpose of having gutters in the first place as it would allow rainwater to form puddles near the house foundations. Too much moisture around the house foundations would result in softer soil composition. This could lead to issues related to house settling, such as cracks on the wall, tilted flooring and crooked rooflines. Well-maintained downspouts help minimize water around the house foundations.
Damaged Landscaping
Another consequence of unrouted rainwater runoff is that it could lead to erosion and flooding that can damage surrounding landscaping. In addition to properly built downspouts, French drains and accessories like downspout extensions can help manage gutter runoff. You can also have water collection systems installed along the downspouts to make use of rainwater runoff, reduce the water that would otherwise end up in the drains and minimize the chances of damaging your landscaping.
Looking for gutter guard companies in Mecklenburg County? Call Gutter Helmet® of Piedmont at (844) 204-1015, or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Charlotte, NC, and nearby areas.
