What Size Downspout Do I Need for My Gutters? Factors, Types & FAQs
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Downspouts are a vital part of any gutter, allowing water to reach the ground without splashing the building’s exterior. Depending on the roof size and how long your gutters are, you may need differently-sized downspouts.
Most downspouts measure 2” x 3”, but some are circular or measure up to 3” x 4”. Without construction experience, it can be difficult to know what size downspouts are suitable for your home’s gutters. Let’s check out how to determine what size downspout will work best for your gutters.
Why Should I Use Downspouts?
Strictly speaking, downspouts are an optional part of your house’s drainage system. Water and debris can sometimes drain fine from plain gutters, but then you run into the problem downspouts were designed to solve: water damage.
Downspouts safely drain water and other rainswept debris to a safe area on the ground without getting the building wet. Without downspouts, you risk getting exterior parts of the house wet, which can cause corrosion and degradation.
As a rule of thumb, a single downspout is sufficient for 20 feet of gutter. The bigger your house and roof are, the longer gutters you’ll have, which will need more downspouts. You can add additional downspouts to help enhance drainage, but it’s not absolutely necessary.
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How to Size Downspouts for Your Gutters
The most standard gutters used for residential homes are 5–6 inches, but 7–8-inch gutters are also available. Depending on how big your gutters are, you may need more or fewer downspouts to accommodate adequate drainage.
Your typical downspout on a 5–6-inch gutter will measure at 2” x 3”, but some measure up to 3” x 4”. You’ll also need to take some other factors into consideration when choosing downspouts.
- How large your roof is
- Roof pitch
- Gutter style & design
- Gutter outlet capacity
- Rainfall intensity
For example, you might want bigger gutters and correspondingly larger downspouts for areas that receive a lot of rain. A home in Portland would benefit from this, but a house in Phoenix doesn’t usually need bigger gutters or downspouts.
Rainfall intensity matters a lot here too. Most local weather bureaus make this data public, with measurements usually in gallons per minute (GPM). The higher the GPM, the bigger gutters you need.
Finally, how big your roof is will largely decide your gutters and downspouts. Bigger roofs collect more rain and necessitate a bigger drainage system. The drainage system has to be large enough to accommodate even intense rain, or else you might see clogs and backed-up areas with debris.
To get an educated sense of what size downspout will be adequate for your drainage system, call a qualified professional. They’ll be able to take into account all relevant factors and come up with a solution for you.
Types of Downspouts
There are three major types of downspouts for most residential gutters: K-style, round, and rectangular. Let’s check out what makes them different from each other so you can make a more informed buying decision.
- K-style: This is a standard downspout design for 5-inch gutters. Most downspouts are 2” x 3”, but 3” x 4” downspouts are also available.
- Round: Round downspouts are used on half-round gutters and are measured by their diameter. Typical sizes range from 3–6 inches, depending on the gutter’s size.
- Rectangular: Perhaps the most common downspout design for urban cities, sizes range from 2” x 3”, 3” x 4”, and even 4” x 5”.
Conclusion
Downspouts are a critical part of your home’s drainage system, allowing water to drain without causing water damage to your home. Size and designs vary, but average sizes start at 2” x 3”. For bigger homes with more gutter length, you may need larger downspouts.
Featured Image Credit: Zachary Keimig, Unsplash
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