Precautionary Steps to Avoid Downpipe Repairs
Downpipes play an important function in directing rainwater away from a home's foundation to prevent water damage and structural damage. By taking the necessary steps to maintain and inspect downpipes can help avoid costly repairs.
Downpipes are prone to getting clogged with debris, causing unwanted leaking and overflow. Regular cleaning and inspections can prevent blockages.
Signs of a damaged downpipe
Downpipes act as the workhorses of your roof's rainwater drainage system and channel water away from shingles and foundations. They are exposed to the elements, and their constant exposure to heavy rains and falling leaves could cause damage that could require repairs to the downpipe.
A blockage is one of the most common problems that can occur in your downpipe. Over time, organic debris such as leaves, twigs and other organic materials may accumulate creating a clog. This prevents the water from flowing freely. The downpipe itself could become damaged, with cracks or holes that allow debris to enter and form a blockage.
The onset of corrosion is often the cause of leaking downpipes, however other factors could also be at play. Downpipes are usually located in challenging-to-reach spots, such as on high roofs or tight corners of walls, which makes them vulnerable to damage caused by impact. Leaks can be caused by heavy winds, a ladder leaning against the pipe or even children playing.
If you notice that your downpipe has started to leak, it's best to seek help from a professional as soon as you can. This will reduce the damage and stop it from spreading. The downpipe leaks that aren't treated can cause water leaks to spread across the home, resulting in costly repair costs.
Puddles forming around the foundation of your home following rain are another sign of a blocked downpipe. This could lead to mold growth, moisture issues and structural damage.
Installing gutter guards will shield your downpipes from obstructions. They are available in a variety of styles that will fit any property. You should also maintain a safe distance from your downpipes to avoid overhanging trees that could block the pipes and cause them to be affected by roots. Regularly cleaning your downpipe and guttering is essential, especially in autumn when leaves, twigs, and other debris could block them more quickly. It is recommended to hire an expert to access these difficult to reach areas. Utilizing a ladder could be risky. You should also change your downpipes prior to the damage gets any worse.
Repairing a Leaking Downpipe
The guttering and downpipes that are in your home are there to drain rainwater away to the walls and foundations. This can cause damp issues in your home if they're damaged. This is often difficult to identify and is often misinterpreted as rising damp, which results in expensive injection damp treatments.
If your downpipe is leaking, you can fix it with a DIY kit. Utilizing a pipe repair clamp, rubber patch or even silicone sealant can be used to temporarily stop the leak and stop further damage. Before you begin, ensure that the pipe is dry and clean the area around the leak to remove any debris or dirt which could hinder the repair. It is also important to make sure that power is shut off to the area and confirming that it's safe with a noncontact electrical tester.
A damaged or blocked part of pipe is usually the cause of a leaking downpipe. It's always important to check and clean your gutters and downpipes regularly to stop them from developing in the first place.
Cleaning your downpipes will also keep water from leaking through cracks, gaps, and clogs in the guttering system. For more information on how to efficiently and safely clean and clear your guttering system, see our blog 'How to Clean Your Guttering & Downpipes' blog.
A damaged or leaking drainpipe can lead to mould and damp issues in your home. If this is not corrected it could also impact the structure of your house and eventually cause structural damage.
Depending on the extent of the damage to your downpipe and its connections, you might have to replace it. Replacement rubber gutter seals and downpipe installer will be able to give you the most appropriate advice regarding replacement materials for your home, providing a long-lasting and weatherproof solution.
Unblocking a Clogged Downpipe
A downpipe is what its name implies - it directs the rainwater away from your rooftop and onto the street, thus preventing flooding. It can, however, be blocked by debris that can block the flow of water. This can cause structural damage to your home and health problems for your family members and yourself.
Overflowing gutters can result in obstructions in the drainpipes. It's better to take action and stop this from happening than let it get worse and lead to expensive repairs and water damages in the future.
It is possible to resolve an obstruction in the downpipe without need for professional assistance, by using a few simple DIY techniques. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and inspect the downpipe. If you can identify the obstruction blocking the downpipe, you are able to remove it using wire. If the obstruction is more difficult to remove, you can insert a drain rod into the downpipe, and then manually remove it manually.
If you don't have a drain rod or plumbing snake handy, a garden hose fitted with a high-pressure nozzle could be used to flush the downpipe. Start with a gentle pressure, and gradually increase it to ensure that the pipes aren't damaged. You can also try hitting the downpipe that is clogged with your fist or light mallet made of rubber, to smash any debris that has been accumulated inside the pipe.
A mixture of baking soda and vinegar can be put into the drainpipe. The mixture will fizz and bubble, potentially breaking up greasy build-up. If the downpipe remains blocked then an effective flush of hot water will also help.
A blocked downpipe can be a major hassle to overcome however, it's crucial to act fast. If you don't have the tools or know-how to remove the downpipe, it's recommended to contact a licenced local plumber for professional assistance. They'll have the equipment and experience to deal with the obstruction of a downpipe effectively and efficiently, saving you time and money over the long run.
Replacing a clogged Downpipe
The blocked downpipes can create gutter and drainage issues. They can hinder the flow of rainwater, which can cause damage to your property and home. Make sure you take action as soon as you observe any of the warning signs of a downpipe that is blocked.
It's easy to recognize a blockage if you see water spilling out of your downpipes or gutters. You may be able to hear a gurgling sound as the water tries flow through or smell a sour smell emanating from your downpipes. If you're concerned, call in a professional plumber to clean your drain and for downpipe repair.
If the issue isn't serious, you can usually fix it yourself using simple DIY steps. Start by putting on some gloves and conducting an inspection of your downpipes and gutters. If you are able to identify an obvious cause for the blockage, take out the downpipe clips and remove any pipe pieces until you can identify the obstruction. If the blockage is located deep within the downpipe you can try to remove it by using drain clearing rods that are flexible.
After the blockage has been removed, you can reconnect any downpipe sections and fix the wall clips. Pouring a large stream of water down the downpipe should help flush out any debris that has been clogging the pipe. You could also try tapping the downpipe at intervals, and listen for a different sound. this could indicate that you're moving closer to the blockage.
You should also clean your downpipes and gutters to minimise the risk of blockages. Make sure that the leaves and twigs aren't blocking the opening, and cut back any trees that are hanging overhanging and could be causing issues. Consider changing to bigger diameter pipes that can transport more rainwater and are less likely to be to get blocked by debris.
A clogged drainpipe can cause a lot of inconvenience and even damage to your home. If you're not comfortable working from high heights or if the issue is too serious for DIY solutions, it's best to seek out an expert.