The gutter is only half the drainage system
Downspouts carry concentrated roof runoff from the gutter to the ground. If they clog, are undersized for the layout, discharge poorly, or terminate where water collects near the house, the gutter system can appear to fail even when the trough itself is in good condition.
Common downspout problems
- Clogged elbows or outlets
- Loose connections
- Dented or crushed sections
- Too few outlets for concentrated runoff
- Discharge ending at an inconvenient or vulnerable spot
- Extensions that shift, disconnect, or create trip hazards
Think beyond the elbow
The final discharge point matters. The goal is to move water to a location where site grading and drainage can carry it away instead of sending it back toward the foundation or across a walkway.