Spring Downspout Maintenance
Spring is often the wettest time of year, which can be a challenge for your downspouts. Your downspouts exist to help move rainwater away from your home to prevent flooding or damage from moisture.
The freezing and thawing which takes place in the Spring causes the ground to shift and will often sheer off downspout lines. Winter run off and debris can also clog them. You won’t realize it at first because the moisture was frozen in the winter, or there wasn’t a lot of water running through in the dryer months.
Here are some tips to get you off to a safe start as the damp season approaches:
1. Inspect your Downspout for Clogs
Clogs often occur because debris collected in the gutters floats down into the downspout and accumulates, blocking the pipe. Keeping your gutters clean definitely helps prevent clogs.
- An easy way to check for clogs in your downspout is to run some water through the pipe. If it isn’t running smoothly, there is most likely a blockage that needs to be cleared.
- Another way to check your downspout for clogs is to stick a plumber’s snake down the pipe and see if you meet any resistance.
- If you aren’t able to clear your downspout using DIY methods, contact a professional drain cleaning company who uses specialist equipment to safely clear your line.
2. Check your Downspout When It’s Raining
A very simple way to check that your downspout is functioning properly is to examine whether there is a steady stream of water flowing out during a rainstorm. If you live in an area where there is a lot of rainfall, you may want to consider extending your downspout further away from the house to avoid water damage to your home. You can even have underground pipes installed from the end of the downspout to move the water further out into your yard.
3. Check the Pipes for Leaks or Rusting
Another simple downspout maintenance tip is to check for any leaks, loose screws, or rusting pipes. Any of these issues could eventually lead to flooding problems if ignored.
4. Check your Basement for Wet Spots
When the Spring thaw hits, if you notice any damp spots in your basement, downspouts are often the culprit. If this is the case, it may be time to contact a professional to ensure a problem of this magnitude is handled just right.
About Clear Drain Cleaning
Clear Drain Cleaning is a local owned company that specializes in residential and commercial drain, sewer and septic services such as electric drain cleaning, hydro excavation, and hydro jetting. Our tools and methods are safe, reliable and fast. We’ll have your drains, sewage and septic systems clear and running smoothly in no time! We proudly serve Holmes County, Wayne County, Tuscarawas County, Coshocton County, Stark County, Ashland County and Carroll County. Contact us today and Like Us on Facebook!
