The rain is pounding down on your roof and all you can think about is whether or not the water is going to create an annoying and endless drip, drip, drip. Well, if you have an adequate drainage system, you should have no worries about any dripping or gushes of water coming down to soak anyone coming and going from your home. An adequate drainage system will transport the rainwater or other accumulated moisture away from your roof and house. What is a drainage system and just what are its components?
Drainage System
A drainage system is made up of several components that usually include a roofing material that is waterproof or sheds water, along with gutters and downspouts. Both gutters and downspouts, like anything else, do require cleaning as they are an essential part of keeping a roof and building below it free of accumulated moisture, so there is maintenance involved with any drainage system.
What is a Downspout
Downspouts are attachments or vertical tubes that are placed in an up and down position to the gutter system. The gutters traverse along the sides of a house or other structure. The downspouts convey any water that builds up in the gutters and transports it away from a house or building.
Downspout Action
The downspout takes the water and redirects it in a path away from the foundation of a home or building. Water that collects in the gutters is pushed through the downspouts. Downspouts are usually placed at the corners of a home where the gutters intersect. Downspouts can also be placed at any lower position. At the point of the intersection of the gutters, a small hole is made to enable any water to go through the hole. There is a connecting piece that joins the hole of the gutter and the top portion of the downspout. The hole at the gutter bottom requires a tight seal so that water makes its way through that hole rather than gushing out the sides.
Downspout Curve
A downspout is characterized by a curve at the bottom of it that helps to thrust any water out in an efficient manner. In order to transport the water away from the side of a house or building, a splash guard can also be used to push the water in a trajectory pattern so it is transported even farther away from a structure.
Trench Construction
Sometimes digging a trench may be necessary to further convey any water from the downspout area. In addition, a pipe that is joined to the downspout can serve as a means to constantly push any water away from the trench itself. A trench may only be necessary if a constant pooling or puddling of water occurs around a downspout. This situation usually happens because of the condition of the ground around the downspout area.
The actual digging of a trench will involve the use of a small trenching machine or rototiller that can be purchased or rented through a home improvement or hardware store. A trench should have a depth of about six inches and a with of about ten inches. Metal or plastic tubing in the right dimensions should be put in place to transport the water from the downspout in order for it to be transported through the trench.
In order to properly care for a house or building that is subject to rain and moisture on a regular, or even intermittent basis, it is necessary to protect a roof and the structure below it with an adequate drainage system, which includes gutters and downspouts. A downspout is going to prevent any water or accumulated moisture from creeping into a house or building’s foundation. If you have questions about drainage systems and gutters and downspouts in general, complete the online contact form and a specialist will get back to you with the information you need to protect your home from that annoying dripping, and the damage it can cause.
