What can I use instead of a downspout?

Here are four alternatives to downspouts that you should consider.

  • French Drains. French drains direct water away from your foundation after it has reached the ground, rather than before. …
  • Rain Barrels. …
  • Rain Chains. …
  • Copper Pipe.





Are downspouts necessary?

Downspouts can be a very important tool for preventing water damage. A properly working drainage system is essential to avoiding moisture and corrosion in your home, which is why you need downspouts and downspout extensions.

How do you cap the end of a gutter?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: So once you've got the cavity full of sealant. The end cap goes on and it'll go right in there it's a perfect match to the go. Okay. So there it is so now we've got our end cap on alright.

What is the thing at the end of a gutter called?

end cap – the end piece of a gutter section that keeps stray debris or water from flowing out of the guttering. It’s usually a flat piece of metal shaped like the gutters that attaches directly to the ends of the sections. It can also be screwed into the eave.

Can you use a rain barrel without a downspout?





Rain barrels are simply containers that collect and store rainwater from a roof – the collected water is used to water the landscape. Rain barrels are usually positioned below the downspout of a roof gutter; however, you can still use a rain barrel if your house doesn’t have gutters.

How do you divert rain without gutters?

How To Collect And Divert Water From Your Roof Without Gutters

  1. Site Grading. …
  2. Install A Drain Tile System. …
  3. Develop a Rain Garden. …
  4. Develop Dry Stream Beds. …
  5. Dig Swales. …
  6. Build A Dry Well. …
  7. Construct A Water Reservoir. …
  8. Install A Sump Pump.


How many downspouts are needed on gutters?

How Many Downspouts Do I Need? A general rule of thumb is one downspout per 20 feet of guttering, but more may be necessary depending on the local weather, the size of the drainage area and the design of the gutter system.

Should downspouts go into ground?



Building contractors and plumbers agree that downspouts should go into the ground to tuck them away and maintain a property’s aesthetic. Also, underground downspouts are more effective because they can pair with French drains and sump pumps to throw water far away from the building.

Is it OK to not have gutters?

What Do Gutters Actually Do? Gutters control the water that hits your roof, directing it into a single flow that moves away from your house. Without gutters, it’s possible that water runoff will build up around your home, getting into your foundation and causing water damage over time.

Why don t Texas homes have gutters?

That’s because water from rain or snow that is allowed to flow over your roof onto the ground surrounding your home can damage your foundation, which can be a costly repair.

Why don t Florida homes have gutters?



And since Florida has sandy soil, houses are typically designed without basements, therefore they have no underground support besides the footers and slabs. Any water repeatedly falling close to the house is likely to damage the foundation. A common misconception is that heavy rains are too much for gutters.

Why do some houses have no gutters?

Some homes — homes with particular qualities — do not need gutters. A home with no basement or a home with excellent landscaping drainage may not even need gutters. Rain can roll off the roof all around your home and drain away from your walls, thanks to gravity.

Do I need gutters around my entire house?

Unless your roof slopes in all directions, you probably won’t need gutters installed around the perimeter of your home. You will need gutters installed at the bottom of any slope. The roof is already organized to direct water down the slopes which where the gutters come into play.

Are French drains better than gutters?

But, in some areas with heavy clay soil and sloping lots, gutters aren’t enough. In these conditions when water is retained in the clay, it can migrate into a crawl space or seep through the foundation into a below-grade living area. That’s when a French drain becomes a good solution.

Should gutters be on both stories?



Your gutter system should be placed on your main roof on the top story of your house. This is done in order to catch rainwater at the tallest point and begin to direct it to the downspout.

Should downspouts touch the ground?

Map the route of the pipes to identify the water’s path after it reaches the downspouts. Consider any slopes on the ground and the conditions of the soil. Your gutter downspouts should not touch the ground. Otherwise, the rainwater might get backed up in the gutter until it starts overflowing.

How do you hang gutters on a two story house?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: This side up with the edge of the house. And then I'm gonna go to the middle of the gutter. See I've got a clip right here. And I'm using like two inch exterior screws.