Clogged gutters and downspouts are a major cause of water damage to homes and businesses throughout Charleston, SC. Proper upkeep is essential for ensuring the longevity of your gutter system. Here’s what to do if you notice that your downspouts are in need of maintenance:

Gutters

The warm climate here encourages lush vegetation, and most properties are surrounded by a thick canopy of leaves. The wind and rain naturally dislodge some of this foliage, allowing it to fall onto the ground, your roof, and into your gutters. If you’re not cleaning your gutters regularly, the leaves will soon accumulate in the troughs and downspouts, where they can decompose. The resulting sludge will then attract additional debris and clog your troughs.

Gutters are a necessary part of any home or business, as they’re designed to collect rainwater and direct it away from the building’s foundation and walls. Without gutters, it would just rain down directly on your house’s structure and lead to costly foundation repairs and other water-related problems. However, most property owners don’t spend much time on their roofs or on their gutter systems. As a result, many clogged gutters and downspouts go unnoticed until it’s too late and they’re in need of Charleston downspout maintenance.

Downspouts

The defining feature of gutter systems is their downspouts, which are fixed at the bottom of the troughs. Downspouts are responsible for directing the flow of rainwater correctly away from your foundation and into the sewer line, which is why they’re so important to ensure that your gutters function properly. Downspouts are prone to blockages, and these may be more difficult to detect than overflowing gutters.

One of the easiest ways to check whether downspouts are in need of a cleaning is to walk around your property during rainfall and look for areas where water pools or stays in one place. This could be a sign that your downspouts are not working effectively or that there is an obstruction in the trough.

During downspout maintenance Charleston, your professional will also make sure that the downspouts are properly positioned to direct water away from the property. This will involve examining the slope of the troughs, checking that they’re clear of obstructions, and ensuring that the drain is at least 10 feet away from your foundation. If the downspouts are not extending far enough away from the property, your pro will recommend adding gutter extensions to help direct rainwater into the drainage system. Gutter extensions can be purchased at most hardware stores, and they’re fairly easy to install. You can also choose to have them buried underground, if you prefer. They cost between $5 and $10 per extension, but they’ll save you the hassle of having to clean puddles of water in your yard or face foundation-related issues later on.