You might not even have noticed that you have gutters that connect one level of your house with another. A common issue is connecting the upper and lower drainage system of your home.
So how can you connect gutters at different levels? What tools and equipment will you need to complete this job to a professional standard?
Well, we’re going to look at some of the reasons why you might want to connect guttering at different levels.
We’re also going to tell you how to do it.
There are many problems in homes with 2 or 3 stories. The upper gutters will collect the rainwater and empty them straight onto the roof.
You’ll want to connect these two levels. This is because water can collect in the lower guttering that runs alongside this roof. This can overwhelm the system, leading to flooding, mold, and water damage.
Why Should You Connect Guttering At Different Levels?
The purpose of guttering is to redirect rainwater away from your home. This will avoid water damage, flooding, mold, and rotting.
This is why a lot of roofs slant to allow water to drip down away from the house and into the drainage system.
But, if there is an excess of water coming down the pipes, then it can lead to significant water damage.
When water travels through the guttering at speed, then it will begin to damage the shingles. This will cause them to curl upwards and lose their effectiveness in protecting the roof.
This will also cause your roof to look awful, which will devalue your home and take away from the aesthetic.
It could reduce the lifespan of your roof by over half. This means that a roof that might usually last for 40 years now only lasts for 20 years.
You might want to connect your upper and lower-level roofs.
To prevent the water from hitting the surface of your lower roof, you can install a downspout. This will carry the water right the way through to the bottom.
What Is A Downspout?
Quick Answer: A downspout is a type of vertical gutter. It allows the water from the top of your house to run down the side. It also won’t come into contact with your roof.
This helps to stop water puddling in specific spots on your rooftop or around the other areas of your house.
This pooling is the primary cause of wear and tear in your home. It often erodes the shingles on your roof and leads to sagging any leakage.
These gutters are usually affixed to the wall and directed towards a drain. These gutters are at the base of your house. They are usually made from steel or aluminum.
Why Should You Install A Downspout For Your Home?
A downspout is an ideal way of making sure that the water from your roof travels down the side of the building through a gutter.
At no point should it touch the roof or the sides of the building.
This will also stop your gutter system from overflowing. This is useful especially if there is a heavy downpour and your gutters are collecting a lot of water.
A lot of people also like to get gutter splash guards. These stop the fast-flowing water from coming over the edge of the guttering.
Some people opt not to have splash guards, as they find that it looks.
How Can You Install A Downspout?
You’ll need to make sure that you are getting high-quality downspouts. If you skimp on the material, then this could lead to having to replace them sooner rather than later.
You should try and install at least 2 downspouts in your home to cope with heavier water flows. This is because the water can often back up and spill over some of the main entranceways.
You’ll also want to make sure that your downspouts are facing away from your home. This is to keep it free from flooding and water damage.
You’ll also need to make sure that the angles of the guttering are correct. This is so that the water will not meet the foundations of your home whatsoever.
How Can You Maintain Your Downspout?
You’ll need to seal and caulk all the intersections of your downspout to prevent them from leaking later. You should also make sure that you have wire mesh in your downspout.
This is so it can collect any leaves that will run down your rooftop along with the rainwater.
Cleaning your downspout is also crucial. You should remove any leaves and other debris that can block your system.
You can either do this yourself or you can pay for your downspout to be professionally cleaned, which is the preferable option if you have the money.
Having downspouts made from the right materials will also be very important, as you won’t want to have to replace your guttering after just a few months.
What Is A Copper Downspout?
Copper downspouts are very durable. They are often used in the construction of cathedrals and castles. They are also used for more modern structures such as office blocks and apartments.
Copper has a high resistance to water. This is very important for high buildings that are susceptible to heavy storm weather.
This is also durable enough to connect the higher and lower tiers of very tall buildings. Copper is also very malleable, which is ideal for buildings with unique constructions.
Conclusion
We hope that this guide to connecting the different levels of your home has given you a clearer idea of why you might need to install a downspout.
We would recommend that you regularly check your roofing. Then you can see if there is any pooling or water damage that could compromise the integrity of your home.
Maintaining your downspout is crucial and you should have a complete check of your guttering every 6 months.
Having your guttering cleaned professionally is probably the best way to ensure that you have no debris and that your downspout is functioning properly.
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