What is the importance behind having downspouts as part of your home gutter system? And are they really THAT important?

Before being a homeowner, words like downspouts may have been an unknown concept even though most of us see them on an everyday basis in some shape or form. As a homeowner in Sedgwick, Kansas words like downspouts take on a whole new meaning and importance.

A DOWNSPOUT BY ANY OTHER NAME IS STILL A DOWNSPOUT

This isn’t a Shakespearean concept but there are many other names used for a downspout besides “downspout.” Other names for a downspout include waterspout, downpipe, drain spout, roof drain pipe, or leader. But they all are referring to a downspout which is the vertical, pipe-like devices connected to gutters, installed along the sides of homes and buildings in Sedgwick, Kansas, which redirect water and safely lead it away from your home and towards a designated drainage area.

WHY DOWNSPOUTS ARE SO IMPORTANT AS PART OF A GUTTER SYSTEM

We all know that gutter systems are an essential part of a home in Sedgwick, Kansas for various reasons. Without a downspout being a part of the gutter system on a home, moisture and water damage can become a serious issue. But what are some of the potential damages that could occur?

Some of the damages that can occur are:

• Flooding in basements or crawl spaces

• Foundation damage

• Garden erosion

• Damaged exteriors

It becomes increasingly clear that downspouts are an essential part of the gutter system, because what really are gutters if there is no way to direct the water away from the home.

THE COSTS OF NO DOWNSPOUTS

If we focus on the first potentially damaging effect of not having downspouts: flooding in basements or crawl spaces, the damaging effects can be unfortunately cascading. Flooding in itself is a destructive force and when you factor in a basement or crawl space in Sedgwick, Kansas, the damage can be more than just water.

There are many factors that can lead to flooding in a basement or crawl space, one of those being not having a proper gutter system including downspouts on a home in Sedgwick, Kansas. Flooding in a basement or crawl space not only damages those areas but can damage the foundation and lead to mold contamination and loss of personal valuables or possessions that may be in a basement. These damages unfortunately will come with a price tag as well.

AVOIDING THE DAMAGE

Firstly, it needs to be said that not all water damage can be avoided even with the best gutter system and all the downspouts working perfectly. Unforeseen events and flooding could occur and that is not something that can necessarily be avoided in Sedgwick, Kansas.

However, there are steps that can be taken to avoid water damage – one such way is to make sure that your gutter system and downspouts are working correctly. The downspouts should be directing water away from your home and foundation. Gutters and downspouts should be clear of debris and any other kind of obstruction.

As mentioned above there are going to be times when water damage is unavoidable. When this does happen, it can be very disconcerting and upsetting. If you’ve experienced water damage in your basement, crawl space, foundation, or any part of your home and are now concerned about other possible issues such as mold contamination, we can help. FreshCo Cleaning and Restoration can perform a mold inspection of the area and mold remediation, if necessary, to get your home in Sedgwick, Kansas back to its original state.