Your downspouts play a crucial role in protecting your home from water damage, which is why they need to be kept in good condition at all times and replaced if they’re no longer functioning properly. In today’s article, gutter guard systems and downspouts expert ABC Seamless Siding weighs in on whether underground downspouts are the way to go.
Defining the Downspout
While the primary function of the gutters is to direct rainwater away from your home, it’s your downspouts that ensure the collected runoff gets flushed out into the proper drainage channels. Downspouts are part of the gutter system, typically extending down the side of the house. However, some downspouts are installed underground.
Should You Bury Your Downspouts?
Some people prefer to bury the downspouts for purely aesthetic reasons, as they believe this gives the home a more streamlined look. Others do it for safety purposes. If you have young children, seniors or other people with mobility issues living in your home, buried downspouts can be a great option because there’s no risk of tripping over the downspout.
Whether you prefer buried or exposed downspouts, it’s important to note that proper measurements are the key to optimally functioning downspouts. Underground downspouts have to be buried at least 18 inches into the ground or past the frost line, while exposed downspouts have to extend at least three feet away from the home’s foundation.
Underground or otherwise, downspouts are crucial when it comes to efficient gutter and gutter guard systems. This is why you should only trust the professionals, like the team at ABC Seamless Siding. Call us today at (907) 646-2228 to schedule an appointment. We serve Anchorage, AK.
