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Gutter Downspout - Everything You Need To Know

When rain, snow, and ice on your roof melt, gutters channel water away from your property. Installed around the edges of your roof, these systems—often constructed of aluminium but may also be vinyl, steel, or copper—allow water to flow towards the ground so that it doesn’t harm the roofing and siding of your house or even enable water to seep inside, which might cause a deluge of damage, costly repairs, and problems. Gutter downspouts greatly enhance your gutters’ ability to function effectively.

Knowing that your home is well-protected from the weather makes it much simpler to enjoy a rainy day from the comfort of your couch. You’ll have a piece of mind if you know what a downspout is and how it works with your gutter system. You’ll also have the equipment and knowledge you need to keep everything in functioning condition.

Read on to discover more about downspouts, including how they function and how to care for them to prolong their useful life.

Lance Mathews

Lance Mathews

Lance Mathews, with 20 years of expertise in roofing and cladding, Lance was involved in the first architectural cladding business in Melbourne. Lance is a Director at Total Roofing and Cladding based in Melbourne, one of Melbourne's premier roofing and cladding companies. His extensive knowledge and experience have driven Total Roofing and Cladding to become one of Melbourne's elite roofing and cladding companies.
In This Article
Importance of Downspouts - Total Roofing and Cladding

What are Downspouts?

The tube that joins the gutter at the roof’s edge and extends down the side of your house is known as a gutter downspout. This allows water to drain effectively from your home, dramatically reducing the risk of structural damage. If there were no downspouts, water from heavy rains, melting snow, and ice would build up close to the house’s foundation, causing floods (and severe harm to your basement, if you have one).

How Do Downspout and Gutter Works Together?

At best, it might be challenging for the homeowner to decide what to place in their gutter system. Since you want your gutters to stay out, a downspout is vital. But where should you put it? Where ought the water to flow? Which size ought to be applied? Fortunately, it’s simple to understand if you know the fundamentals.

The gutter and downspout are connected just above the fascia board—the wood between the roof’s bottom and the top of the gutters. Your house’s fascia board will sustain water damage first if there is no downspout.

Although the downspout is bent at the top and bottom to capture better and discharge water, more is needed to prevent water from pooling at the base of your property. To ensure that extra water is channelled away from your property, you should build a downspout extension pipe or bury your downspout underground, depending on the surrounding topography.

Possible Concerns With Having Downspouts

Sticks may get into downspouts, jam them up, and cause damming, which stops water from getting into the gutters. Even dead birds and bird nests can jam drains (more common than you might think).

Additionally, downspouts can separate from the gutter portion if they are damaged by obstructions or are struck by branches or ice. This is quite obvious, especially when it rains.

Ineffective gutter downspouts can result from erosion mosquitoes (when water gathers up) (where water builds up), outside leaks, and unpleasant sidewalk appeal.
In either case, these problems frequently occur if adequately maintained and examined periodically. There are always uncomplicated fixes if there are problems with the gutters or downspouts.

Importance of Downspouts

Its home’s principal mechanism for collecting rainwater is your gutters. These narrow, hollow metal half-pipes keep rainfall from clogging up your roof and leaking into your walls, despite their limited width and length. But when your gutters have gathered water close to your roof, where does it go? Here is why having functional drains is essential.

Remove Water From The Foundation

Downspouts move water away from your home’s foundation and into the ground. Suppose you let the water pool where your house meets the ground. In that case, it will seep into the wood and concrete foundation, causing unwelcome moisture to deteriorate the building. There might be problems with the structure and safety of your property if enough water accumulates there.

Avoid Unattractive Yard Erosion

In addition to protecting the structural integrity of your house, your water drainage system also avoids unattractive yard erosion. You can have naturally occurring pockets and indentations that collect water depending on the slope of your property and the landscaping in your yard. Your downspouts must divert excess water from these spots so that it doesn’t pool there, damage the vegetation, and erode the soil beneath.

Enhancing the Appearance of Your Home

The positioning of your home’s downspouts and the installation of accessories both contribute to its resale value. Your home’s aesthetic may need to be correctly installed with downspouts or accessories in strategic locations. This will upset you and may lower your house’s value.

You may avoid placing downspouts in the wrong place and later regretting it by consulting an expert on where they should be placed.

It Avoids Wet, Flooded Basements

You could have a concrete basement floor, depending on the design and location of your property. Your basement walls, windows, and doors do not share this surface’s density and relative nonporousness. If your basement entrance points are not properly draining, water will accumulate until flooding occurs.

How To Maintain Your Gutter Downspouts

To keep them operating correctly, gutters and downspouts should be cleaned frequently—typically, at least once a year. It would be best to keep gutter downspouts clean by ensuring that no leaves or debris get stuck inside and clog the system. If water does not flow as swiftly as it usually does when you run the spout, there may be an obstruction inside. Put the hose inside the downspout from the bottom and increase the water pressure to its maximum setting to force anything stuck inside out. If this is unsuccessful, you may try using a plumber’s snake to clear the obstruction and flush water through the downspout to flush the debris out.

Invest in a reliable gutter protection system or gutter coverings to extend the time between cleanings while preventing blockage. These keep junk out while allowing water to flow easily into the gutters and downspouts. When the wind blows or rains, the debris on your roof will safely fall to the ground.

Gutter Downspout - Total Roofing and Cladding

Frequently Asked Questions

For rainfall or snowmelt to flow “downhill” via the gutters and into the downspouts, gutter systems have a modest downward slope towards the corners of the house. The pipe that runs vertically down the side of a house is called a downspout. It is joined to a hole in the gutter channel at the top.

Ensure your downspouts are positioned so water won’t accumulate close to your outside wall and foundation. For instance, keep them away from locations where the pathways and paving stones aren’t properly pitched away from the external wall.

Every roofline should have a gutter trough fitted with a downspout to remove any water that collects. An upper roof’s downspout should empty into a lower gutter. Never allow it to flow straight onto the roof, as this may hasten the degradation of the roof deck and shingles.

Generally, your property will require one downspout for every 40 feet of gutter. Your gutters’ size will determine how oversized your downspouts will be. The 5 to 8-inch gutter diameters are the most popular. Keep to 2-by-3-inch and 4-by-5-inch downspouts for small and big gutters, respectively.

Key Takeaways

Downspouts are a crucial component of your home’s defence against water damage. A home without gutters and downspouts is far more prone to corrosion and moisture damage than residences with such a drainage system.

Rain, snow, or condensation-related water buildup on your home’s roof causes it to slope into a gutter system, where it is collected and kept from flowing down the side of your house and soaking residents and onlookers. Additionally, water would pool at the base of your house without gutters, increasing the risk of damage to your basement, your home’s façade, and its foundation.

]]> https://www.totalroofingandcladding.com.au/gutter-downspout-everything-you-need-to-know/feed/ 0 Can you paint colorbond gutters? https://www.totalroofingandcladding.com.au/can-you-paint-colorbond-gutters/ https://www.totalroofingandcladding.com.au/can-you-paint-colorbond-gutters/#respond Mon, 20 Sep 2021 11:22:38 +0000 https://www.totalroofingandcladding.com.au/?p=3532 Can you paint colorbond gutters? Read More »

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Can you paint colorbond gutters?

Your gutters seem sad and sagging. Is it time for new gutters, or would a fresh coat of paint suffice? What should you do if your gutters have rusted or seem filthy and old?

Do your gutters detract from rather than contribute to the beauty of your home’s roofline? If you’ve been ignoring your gutters, the answer is often a resounding yes. Old gutters may be made to appear like new again.

The roof is an important part of the home. It binds all of the interior areas underneath it into a single property, protecting everything and everyone within from the outdoors. A roof may seem to be a massive structure “up there,” but it really has a plethora of components that enable it to function, particularly when it comes to water drainage.

The three components that keep moisture out and route it away from the home are gutters, fascia, and downpipes. They can all be constructed of Colorbond metal, but we’ve seen some intriguing variants, such as fascia made of wood.

In any event, depending on the local environment, they may be constantly in touch with water, causing them to rust and decay. By painting colorbond gutters and fascia, they will endure longer and look much nicer, increasing the resale value of the home.

In This Article
painted coorbond gutters - Woodland grey

So can you paint colorbond gutters?

Colorbond is often misunderstood as being unpaintable. This, however, is a myth. Colorbond may be readily repaired and repainted if the proper paint is used and the job is done by an expert.

Painting colorbond gutters and fascia need a specific technique and practice. A homeowner will not be able to complete this procedure on their own. Restoring Colorbond roofing is the responsibility of a certified roofing contractor, and it is essential to search for someone with expertise and understanding in Colorbond roofing.

Colorbond roofing necessitates the use of a metal roofing expert as well as specialized supplies developed especially for painting gutters and fascia. Hiring an inexperienced painter to paint a Colorbond roof will only result in poor-quality work that will cost you money in the long term. Painting gutters and fascia, effort, expertise, and professional Colorbond metal roofing knowledge – don’t take any chances with sloppy work.

Although Colorbond has a ten-year manufacturer’s guarantee, there may be times when you need to repaint it. This could be because of one of the following factors:

  • Over time, there will be fading and discoloration.
  • You’ve had a change of heart because you’re sick of the colour of your fence.
  • Damage from oxidation and chalking – this is uncommon, but it may occur in coastal regions if your fence is not cleaned on a regular basis.
  • Neighbors – You and your neighbor may choose a different colour for your separating fence. Colorbond, however, does not provide a fence with a different colour on each side – as a result, painting gutters and fascia may be the best choice for you.

How do you prepare for painting gutters?

prereparing colorbond guttering for paint, sanding colorbond guttering

Painting colorbond gutters and fascia is not as easy as it sounds. Once you’ve gotten up there, check for indications of peeling, wear, and rust and treat those areas in particular. The aim is to clean the gutters and fascia so that as much of the fresh paint as possible adheres to them. It is necessary to use a few chemicals mixed with sugar soap to remove dirt and sanding to remove rust, as well as power washing.

In severe cases, stripping may be needed to remove the previous coat, which will involve the use of different equipment and knives while ensuring that the metal is not damaged. Moving carefully while attempting to remove as much of the old paint as possible is essential. A variety of rags and chemicals are required, and a particular procedure is in place. As a consequence, the gutter surface is absolutely smooth to the touch.

Painting gutters

If the surface is fresh, some residual lubricants from the roll forming process may be present. These should be deleted as well, following the steps described above. If feasible, gently sand fresh surfaces to improve paint adherence. On older, worn COLORBOND® steel, this is not necessary.

After cleaning the surface, you may immediately overpaint it with two coats (ideally) of a high-quality water-based exterior acrylic. Please adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions. If the steel is being used to collect drinking water, ensure that the paint is appropriate for this purpose by checking with the manufacturer.

It should be noted that overpainting COLORBOND® steel would invalidate any warranties. Should overpainting be performed on behalf of and under the supervision of BlueScope Steel, a future warranty (if any) position will be discussed between the client and BlueScope Steel.

What if you have rusty gutters?

rusted roof guttering in Melbourne

If your gutters have a lot of rust on them, it may be time to replace them. This is particularly true if your gutters are rusting through in many locations and don’t seem to be very sturdy. If your gutters have mild rust, you may use a wire brush to remove the loose rust and then paint the area with rust converter paint to neutralize the rust. 

This may be used as a primer or base coat. Apply roof cement to the rusted area and push some aluminum foil or metal flashing into it. On top, apply another coat of roof cement. This may be a workaround for the time being.

Avoiding Gutter Problems

clogged guttering - leaf filled gutters in Melbourne

Gutter clogging is a common cause of gutters drooping and becoming clogged with debris. You can avoid a lot of gutter issues by preventing them from clogging in the first place, and you won’t have to worry about gutter painting or gutter replacement. To avoid debris accumulation, it’s essential to clear your gutters on a seasonal basis. This accumulation of material may block gutters, causing them to droop under the weight of the sticks and leaves in the gutter. They may also flex outward, causing water to flow onto the siding and the ground.

Clogged gutters may also develop algae and become difficult to clear over time as material adheres to the gutter’s sides. Rust occurs when water pools in a gutter and flows over the edge on a frequent basis.

You may either clean your gutters annually or install a gutter cover to troubleshoot your gutters. A gutter cover is a simple construction that sits on top of your gutters. Gutter coverings that are effective enable water to flow into the gutters while trash falls to the ground below. By avoiding the issue of collecting gutter debris, avoids gutter sagging and discoloration.

Final Thoughts

painting colorbond guttering

So, the answer to the question “can you paint colorbond gutters?” is yes, you can paint colorbond gutters yourself, but it is usually recommended that this hard task be left to the experts.

Roofing is an industry full of cowboys and rogue operators that want to do the job, grab the money, and go, leaving you to repair their poor work. You may either learn painting gutters and fascia yourself or hire professionals with an established track record.

We think that openness is the greatest solution for such a situation and that having more options always leads to greater pleasure. As a result, we try to share knowledge of our painting colorbond gutters and fascia knowledge with you in order to raise the quality of roof care. The quality of our roof care is plain to see—up it’s there.

We are here to get the best out of roofs large and small, from inspection to repair and all in between. Participate in your building’s roof care and make modest, everyday efforts to make your roof positively shine. Begin by contacting us and asking a roof care question; we’ll take it from there.

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