How To Clear A Clog In Downspouts?

Do you notice that there is a strange smell in your house? Doesn't the water run well when there is rain? There may be an obstruction in the downspouts. In this post All About Gutters Inc experts show you how to clear a clog in the downspouts.

Remember that before trying to solve the problem of unclogging the gutters by yourself, you must make sure that the work at height is carried out by professional gutter cleaner. The personnel who carry it out must be qualified and expert personnel since the consequences can be serious.

Possible clogs in downspouts

There are possible forms of clogged downspouts that prevent the water from flowing properly. Here are a few options:

Downspouts are often clogged by leaves, branches, or even dirt. This is usually recurrent in autumn times and where there are large groves nearby.

In urban areas, we tend to find plastics, garbage or even food remains that have arrived through the air and wind and have been deposited in the gutters, blocking that when the water flows they remain trapped in the downspouts. These remains do not let the water pass, creating large clogs in them.

Another of the most common forms of clogging in rain evacuation systems are usually bird's nests. They have the habit of nesting in the gutters since they feel protected from the cold and from other animals. This makes the passage to the downspout drain blocked.

There is another possibility in areas where there are tennis courts or even golf where the driving range is close and the balls are easily deflected falling inside.

How to clear a clog in downspouts

We will first try to remove the blockage with a hose, if possible with hot water. We take the hose as far as it can go inside the downspout and open the tap. Little by little, the debris will fall down the downspout due to the pressure.

If this has not been enough we will have to use a spring plunger. Remember to use the necessary security measures to be able to go up on the roof if necessary. We introduce the spring through the downpipe and with the crank; we turn pushing and thus eliminate the jam.

Another option is to use a pressure washer and a gun hose. With the pressure that it carries out, we eliminate any type of jam or obstruction that may be inside the downspout.

Prevent blockages in pipeline systems

The best way to prevent jams is to have regular checks by professional installers. A timely gutter maintenance and proper cleaning can avoid any type of obstruction that prevents the downspouts from working properly. Traffic jams can have serious consequences. Landslides, damage to the façade or even mold and dampness can occur with what this entails.

A good option to avoid accumulations would be to put gratings over the gutters to avoid subsequent clogs in the downspouts.

Cleaning should be done at least once a year. The best time to do this is late in the fall. The leaves are the main cause of obstruction and this is when they are most produced. In addition, in the following season, it is likely the increase of rains and snowfalls that can cause material damage if it has not been cleaned and eliminating any remains within the drainage system.

As you can see, clogged downspouts should not be overlooked. We have to be aware of the problems that not cleaning or not repairing our pipeline systems can cause.