How to Connect Guttering Downpipe to the Drain – Plumbing Wizard
It is important to clean your gutters regularly and keep them free of debris. but what about the drainage system? What if the water can’t get through the downspout because it’s clogged?
If you’ve just moved into a new home or are replacing your gutters, you may want to think about how rainwater gets to the drain. Poor planning and blockages can be a real hassle and can cost you a fortune to fix, so it’s important to make sure your downspout is properly connected to the drain.
This article will show you how to connect your gutter to the drain so that water freely reaches the drain, saving you time and money in the future.
What is a Guttering System?
A gutter system is a water management device that collects and drains rainwater from the roof of residential or commercial buildings, diverting it away from walls and windows where it can cause damage.
Gutter systems were traditionally made from metals such as lead and cast iron, but today, homes and commercial properties are now equipped with plastic gutters.
the roof has a sloping surface, known as a “drop”; this helps rainwater flow at an angle into gutters that channel the water in one direction toward the downspout.
At ground level, the downspout typically has an outlet that is connected to the storm drain or, in more rural areas, empties into a natural watercourse known as a drainage channel.
why do you want your downspout to go into a drain?
Many people will find that the bottom of their downspout ends with a small open elbow near a drain where water can flow. The problem some people have with this is that it often doesn’t look very good and they would prefer the downspout to go directly into a drain.
Your downspout may go directly to the drain, however, you will need to install some type of filtration system to remove any dirt or debris that is likely to be carried by the water.
Without a filtration system, you are putting your property’s drains at serious risk of blockage, which can lead to clogged drains.
note: without removing debris – it’s not a matter of if drains get blocked but when!
how to connect the downspout to the drain
There are several ways to connect the downspout to the drain, and the different types of debris filters are extremely easy to install.
There are 3 extremely popular types of debris filters that many people opt for, and they are the gutter guards (sometimes known as balloons), the self-cleaning leaf traps, and the gutter filter.
all of these do an excellent job of keeping leaf litter and debris from entering the drainage system to prevent clogging, though I don’t use gutter guard balloons as they can’t be installed and cleaned at ground level.
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gutter protectors (balloons)
Gutter Guards (amazon link, opens in a new tab) can be made of wire mesh (usually aluminum) or plastic and sit on top of the downspout .
Its mesh design allows water to flow freely while preventing unwanted dirt and debris from going down the downspout and entering the drain.
Gutter guards can be a good and inexpensive solution for those gutters that are easy to access, but for those gutters on the roof of your house and for those who live in areas with lots of trees, I would advise against using them.
The reason I would advise against them is that they do an effective job of keeping dirt out of the downspout; this means that all the dirt just collects in the gutter, so it will need regular cleaning, which is less than ideal.
I prefer to let the water along with gravity do its job and bring the trash to me and have my filter lower to the ground.
channel partner
The gutter cover (amazon link, opens in a new tab) is a great way to keep rainwater clean and free of leaves, stones, and moss as it enters the gutter system. drainage, but it also has another great feature that diverts filtered water to a water reservoir.
Unless you live in the concrete jungle of the city, I recommend that everyone get a drain along with a water stopper that can be used for plants during the drier months (if we have any).
self-cleaning leaf trap
The self-cleaning leaf trap is probably my least favorite and if the reason you want your downspout to sink into the ground is for aesthetics, you probably won’t like this one either.
Although they work, these filters are not particularly easy on the eyes and can be a bit noisy. they are basically a section of downspout that has a cutout section in the front with an angled grate to prevent unwanted trash from reaching the drain.
The leaf trap can be installed at ground level, making it easy to maintain, and the “self-cleaning” part is a false selling point, as although it cleans itself, it does so by ejecting leaves. moss and everything else downstairs (not ideal if you’re trying to keep a tidy garden/patio).
conclusion
If you want to connect your downspout to your drain, you can do so with no problem as long as you install some type of filter. without the filter, you’re sitting on a blocking time bomb, and it won’t be long before you need a plumber to come and clean up the mess.
We definitely recommend the matte gutter filter and diverter along with a water reservoir as the best option for most homes as it is easy to install, easy to clean and works perfectly while recycling the water from rain for your garden.
Other means work, such as gutter guards, although instead of blocking the drains, they just end up blocking the gutters, meaning they will need to be cleaned more often; It’s not a job for anyone who isn’t good with heights.
plumbing assistant tips
“do not install the downspout directly into the ground with any type of debris filter!”
“The gutter will not only save your drains, but it will also save money on garden watering!”
“if you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful solution and don’t mind regular gutter cleaning, get gutter guards!”
“if you are looking to keep your garden clean and tidy, stay away from the self-cleaning leaf filter, as they only clean the dirt that they trap directly on the ground.”
frequently asked questions
Does a drain need a downspout?
A downspout will lead to a drain or sump, which is effectively a natural way of draining water from your property. Without a drain or drain, any rainwater that collects at the bottom of the downspout will sit in a puddle until it evaporates.
Do gutter guards work?
Essentially yes, downspout guards, gutter guards, whatever you want to call them, are extremely good at keeping leaves, moss, and other debris from falling down your downspout. The problem with these protectors is that the debris that prevents them from entering the pipe sits in the gutter, which means the gutter needs regular cleaning.
What are the downspouts connected to?
At the top, downspouts are connected to your gutter system to collect rainwater that falls on your roof. at the bottom, the downspout will either lead directly to a drain or drain or have an open end to allow water to flow to a nearby drain.
