What do downspouts do?
Downspouts are the vertical pipes that carry water from the gutters down to the ground and away from the house. A gutter system is only as good as its downspouts: if they're too few, too small, clogged or draining against the foundation, the water ends up where it does damage. Downspout work includes installing new downspouts, repairing damaged ones, adding extensions, and running underground drains.
Downspout services
Downspout installation
New downspouts are added when gutters are installed, when long runs need more drainage, or when existing downspouts are in the wrong place. Common sizes are 2-by-3 inches and the larger 3-by-4 inches. Larger downspouts drain much faster and clog less, which helps on big roofs and under trees. Long gutter runs often need a downspout at each end.
Downspout repair
Downspouts get crushed by ladders and lawn equipment, pull loose from their brackets, and separate at the joints. Repairs include replacing bent sections and elbows, reattaching straps and resealing the outlet where the downspout meets the gutter.
Downspout extensions
An extension carries water several feet out from the wall instead of letting it pour onto the soil next to the foundation. Options include simple add-on elbows and pipes, hinged extensions that flip up for mowing, and splash blocks. Water should drain to an area that slopes away from the house.
Underground downspout drains
Underground drains carry water through buried pipe to a safe outlet, such as a lower part of the yard or a pop-up emitter, keeping walkways and patios clear. Smooth-wall pipe is easier to clean than corrugated pipe, and the line needs a steady slope. Some cities have rules about routing water to the street or curb, so check before connecting to a curb outlet.
Signs of a downspout problem
- Gutters overflow near one end while the downspout trickles: likely a clog
- Water gushes from a joint partway down
- Soil is washed out, mulch is gone or a hole has formed at the base
- Water pools against the foundation, on a walkway or by a door
- Gurgling or water backing up from an underground drain inlet
Clearing downspout clogs
Most clogs form at the top outlet, the elbows or the underground connection. They can often be cleared by removing debris at the outlet and flushing with a hose from the top. Clogs in underground lines may need a plumber's snake or a jetter. Clogs that keep coming back at the same spot usually mean the downspout is undersized or debris is getting in too easily, a case for larger downspouts or gutter guards.
Downspouts and drainage around Covina
Covina's rain often comes as heavy bursts. One inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof produces roughly 620 gallons of runoff, and a single downspout may carry runoff from a large share of the roof. On compact lots common across the valley, that water can end up on a neighbor's side yard, a shared driveway or the walkway to the front door if downspouts aren't planned. Thoughtful placement is a core part of gutter installation in Covina, and it's one of the cheapest ways to protect a foundation.
If you'd like to save some of that water, downspouts can feed rain barrels. Our blog post on getting gutters ready for the rainy season covers downspout checks and other preparation.
Cost considerations
Downspout work is usually priced per downspout or per foot, with more for larger sizes, two-story heights and underground drain lines, where trenching length and outlet type matter most. See our cost guide for related factors. Gutter work that involves both gutters and downspouts is covered on the gutter repair and gutter installation pages.