Many downspouts deposit water right next to the wall of a building.
Downspouts carry water accumulated in gutters on the roof of the home away from the foundation or septic tanks. While all downspout options perform the same basic duty, they vary greatly in style, aesthetic value and uses. Annual rainfall amounts will affect which downspout option works best for your home. Low annual rainfall works best with decorative or water-storing downspouts, while heavy rainfall may require sturdier materials. Does this Spark an idea?
Rain Barrel
A rain barrel is a large plastic container that fits onto an existing metal or plastic downspout and saves rainwater for use on a garden or lawn. Rain barrels prevent erosion around the downspout and water damage to the foundation of your home, as well as saving money by conserving water in the summer when your plants need it the most. Quality rain barrels feature screens or filters to trap leaves, insects and other debris that is washed off of your home's roof by the rain.
Corrugated Plastic Pipe
Directing water away from your home, especially in areas with heavy or regular rainfall, is best accomplished with corrugated plastic pipe, according to the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Round and square plastic connectors make attaching these pipes to your existing downspout easy. Holes can be drilled into the piping to slowly release water as it is drained away from the home, or it can be left intact to flush rainwater into a pond or garden area that needs it.
Pressed Metal Downspout
Metal downspouts are the most common choice for both residential and commercial buildings, but they are not always the best choice. Open downspouts that are missing the front panel of metal avoid damage from ice freezing inside the tube, suggests the University of Minnesota Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and should be used in colder climates. However, this downspout option often dumps rainwater too close to the foundation of the building or allows erosion to occur.
Rain Chains
Constructed of metal links or cups, a rain chain draws rainwater down its length from the edge of a gutter without the need for an enclosed length of pipe like traditional downspouts use. Heavy rainfall may overwhelm some smaller rain chains and overflow the gutters, says the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, but homeowners in dry climates may prefer the musical sound of water running down the chain to the sounds of a enclosed metal downspout. Decorative rain chains offer a visually pleasing alternative to plastic pipes and can be used to direct water to a rain barrel or cistern.
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