Sometimes it’s hard not to expect excessive water flow from gutters, especially after heavy rainfall. What makes it extra hassle is it messes up your yard if the downpour is mismanaged.
Luckily, there are many effective and efficient techniques to manage rainwater from your gutters. Let’s take a look at the different ways how to slow down water from a downspout.
1 – Install Additional Downspouts to Your Gutter
Do you find your gutters often overflowing after heavy rains? If so, you might want to consider installing additional downspouts.
Not only does this help reduce overflowing in your gutter, but it also slows down water and runoff. As much as rain is necessary at times, you wouldn’t want your house to suffer water damage due to inefficient gutters and a lack of downspouts.
How to Add Downspouts to Your Gutter
- Use a ladder to reach the point where you wish to install your new downspout.
- Use a tape measure to place a mark four inches from the gutter’s end corner. It should be at the bottom of your roof’s gutter.
- Drill a hole through the mark,
- Place the connector and be sure that its center aligns with the hole.
- Trace the connector using a pencil.
- Cut the connector’s outline with metal cutters.
- Insert the connector and secure it with some metal screws. You can also use a caulking gun to apply aluminum sealant.
- Attach the elbows to the connector using a metal screw. The distance between the elbows varies on your roof measurements.
- Use a hacksaw to cut a straight downspout that fits your house measurements.
- Attach it to the elbow and secure it with some metal screws.
- Lock the downspout in place using straps screwed against the wall of your house.
- Attach the final elbow using a metal screw.
2 – Redirect Downspouts to Vegetation
Redirecting downspouts to where the water reaches vegetation is an effective and efficient way of slowing runoff. It gives the vegetated areas of your yard extra water while reducing the risk of downstream flooding.
It’s even better to have a rain garden on your property to help filter and distribute the redirected rainwater. Since the main purpose of rain gardens is to collect water to reduce runoff, they should have no trouble with overwatering.
Remember that there are only specific types of plants, such as shrubs, annuals, and perennials, to use in a rain garden. Here are some of the best examples of which plants to add:
- New York Ironweed
- Blue Flag Iris
- Wild Bergamot
- Swamp Rose Mallow
- Smooth Blue Aster
3 – Use Rain Barrels to Store Water
Here’s another efficient way of slowing runoff and storing excess rainwater. Adding a system of rain barrels to collect water directly from your downspouts is both energy-saving and eco-friendly.
Stored rainwater can come in handy for a lot of things later down the road. You can use water from rain barrels to do the following:
- Watering your yard, lawn, or garden (water the soil directly, not the plants)
- Filling toilets
- Washing your car
- Cleaning other outdoor items
Take note that the water it collects from downspouts isn’t treated, so it’s unsafe for consumption. To avoid the risks of mosquito breeding, keep the barrels covered.
4 – Use a Gutter Splash Guard
A splash guard is a simple and inexpensive device that redirects rainwater from downspouts. It’s usually made from aluminum and prevents water from splashing as it travels through the downspout.
This device also works well if you have a rain garden since it can lead rainwater to it. All you have to do is direct the open end of the splash guard towards the rain garden and keep the closed end against the side of your house.
Splash guards are a quick and easy fix for water problems relating to drainage.
5 – Connect a Hose Adapter
Using a hose adapter to manage water from your downspout is an efficient way of taking advantage of such a valuable resource. It works similarly with splash guards and rain barrels, but you have more control with hose adapters and can reach farther areas on your property.
To get started on connecting a hose adapter to your downspout:
- Install a water diverter on your downspout by cutting the selected section with metal cutters. The water diverter can be placed in the middle or bottom of your downspout.
- Secure the water diverter with some metal screws.
- Connect a hose adapter to the newly installed water diverter.
- Use nylon ties to tighten the hose around the water diverter.
Once done, you can freely use the hose to water your garden, clean your car, or however you want to.
6 – Place Rock Dissipators
Adding rock dissipators below your downspouts is one of the simplest and easiest ways to manage runoff. Not only is it easy and inexpensive, but it also helps you design your yard strategically and aesthetically.
You can get creative with how you want the layout of the rock dissipators should be as long as it redirects the water away from solid surfaces. You can also seek help from a landscaping professional to help with the design and structure.
Final Thoughts
As much as water is essential to us, it can also cause damage and trouble to your property if not managed well. That’s why it’s important to take a systematic approach to managing your gutter’s draining structure.
Water is an extremely valuable resource, so it’s only fitting to find ways to recycle and utilize it without waste.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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