Water can cause all sorts of damage to your home, from stains and slippery puddles all the way through to dangerous mould. It can even weaken the foundations and structure of your house itself! When it rains, you may think that it’s the roof that does all the heavy lifting to keep this water out–but really, it’s the gutters and downpipes that prevent water from doing the most damage.
They might not look like much, but rain gutter downpipes are your frontline defence against water damage in your home. We’re going to discuss how these amazing accessories do what they do, as well as the types that are available and how you can keep yours in good condition.
Let’s begin!
The Importance of Rain Gutter Downpipes
Not sure what a downpipe is, or how your gutters actually work? We’re here to enlighten you!
How Downpipes Function
Your downpipes, in tangent with the gutters on your roof, work to collect water and direct it away from your home and into your local stormwater system. As rainwater hits your roof, it slides down the tiles, steel, concrete or whatever your roof is made of, into the gutters on the side. These full or half pipes collect the water and tunnel it to the downpipe, or pipes, you have installed.
Downpipes are, shockingly, pipes that go down from your gutters. These fully enclosed pipes have all the rainwater from your gutters emptied into them, which they then funnel down and into the ground. But not just into the soil – these pipes connect to your stormwater system, an underground sewer that collects water runoff from your houses, as well as all the ones on your street. The water enters the stormwater system as it is carried off to eventually empty out into a lake or river.
Directing Water Away from the Foundation
Downpipes will take rainwater away from your home, which is quite important when you consider the damage water can do, should it make its way inside. Your home’s foundation, as well as the inner walls, can become weak and rot if they are exposed to water for too long. Keeping it dry with well-maintained and designed downpipes is an easy way to keep your home’s base in good condition and prevent expensive repairs and even knockdowns that could occur otherwise.
Preventing Soil Erosion
Soil erosion isn’t just something that happens on the banks of rivers or beaches–if your downpipes aren’t working properly, it can happen underneath your house, too! Above, we stressed how downpipes should connect to a stormwater system and not empty water directly into the soil. This is because too much water in the ground underneath your house can cause the soil to weaken and be carried away, leading to the possibility of sinkholes and even a failing home foundation.
A house with a weekend foundation can sag, crack and, ultimately, become unsafe to live in. Make sure, when installing new downpipes or replacing old ones, that they are correctly connected to both the gutters up top, and the stormwater system down below.
Mitigating Flood Risks
Flooding occurs when nearby lakes, rivers and other bodies of water become overfilled with water. This usually happens after heavy rain, and the chances of a flood increase when your home doesn’t have downpipes or has gutters and downpipes that are blocked.
If water cannot enter the downpipe due to a blockage (usually from leaves, twigs and dirt), then it will instead overflow onto the surrounding land. This could be your front or backyard, driveway or even the street itself. Stormwater systems carry water to far away bodies, but if the water runs across the surface on its own without entering a sewer system, then it will probably land in the nearest river or lake instead. And too much water in these bodies can lead to a flood!
By having clear, well-functioning rain gutter downpipes, you can make sure the water runoff from your home is carried away from your property to a safe area. This will prevent your local water bodies from flooding, keeping your home and the surrounding area safe!
Downpipes can be augmented with many types of accessories. Find out more in our blog on How to Choose the Right Downpipe Accessories for Your Home.
Types of Downpipes
Downpipes come in a range of sizes, materials and colours, which makes them easy to customise and match to your home’s current look. They aren’t an eyesore–well-maintained and high-quality gutters and downpipes can acually add to the charm of your home!
Material Options
The best downpipes are made from either Colorbond or Zincalume. These two materials are beloved by Australians across the country due to their high durability, sleek looks and low maintenance needs.
- Zincalume is a tough material made from zinc, silicone, and aluminium. It is resistant to corrosion and scratching and comes in one standard, natural steel-grey colour. Compared to the other materials used for downpipes, it is an affordable option.
- Colorbond is another tough material made from a painted steel material with a Zincalume core. It comes in a wonderful range of colours, with layers to prep, protect and maintain said colour. Because of this, it is more expensive than Zincalume.
Both types of materials are fantastic for downpipes – you really only need to decide on if you want a colour or not, and if so how much it will cost you.
Sizing Considerations
When choosing new downpipes, you’ll want to make certain that they fit with your existing gutters and are the right choice for your home, depending on whether or not it has eaves. Either way, you’ll be able to find options for your home at Roofing Options in the following sizes:
- 100 x 50mm
- 100 x 75mm
- 90mm
- 75mm
- 66mm
- 50mm
At Roofing Options, we sell downpipes in two standard lengths, 1.8m and 2.4m.
Colorbond Colour Options
Choosing downpipes in the right Colorbond hue can go a long way to improving the outer facade of your home. While it may be more expensive than going the Zincalume route, Colourbond downpipes and gutters can not only make your home look nicer, but also increase its value when it’s time to sell.
Want cooler downpipe colours for a modern, chic property? You’ll love the soft Shale Grey or misty Bluegum colours. Or do you want warmer tones for a more inviting look? Consider the warm Manor Red or the sandy Paperbark for your Colorbond downpipes.
Each colour will be in a classic or matte finish, so keep this in mind when browning the Colorbond colour chart.
You can find a great range of Colorbond Guttering at Roofing Options.
Maintenance of Downpipes
Like any other part of your home, your gutters and downpipes need to be cleaned and maintained to keep them working at 100% capacity. Do some of the following regularly, and you’ll ensure that your downpipes can keep protecting your home no matter the weather!
Regular Cleaning
It’s important that you clean your gutters and downpipes a few times a year to keep them clear of potential blockages. Leaves and twigs from nearby trees can make their way into your system, and dirt from falling rain or that has blown onto your roof and then run off with water can all cause blockages you’ll need to clear.
This means you’ll need to access your gutters–usually with a ladder–and remove any debris by hand. Don’t try to force it down your pipes, and instead dispose of gutter mulch into a bucket and into your bins. When you have cleared out as much as you can, use a hose to run water through your gutters and downpipes to ensure they are clear.
If you have a blockage deep in your downpipe that you can’t clear, you may need to call for professional help from a gutter-clearing service.
Inspections and Repairs
Like any metal, downpipes can crack, rust and thin depending on what they are made from and what kind of stresses they are exposed to. Downpipes with cracks in them will cause water to drop around your home instead of being carried away, which can lead to some of the problems we spoke about earlier.
Arrange for professional gutter inspections yearly to catch any issues early, so you can pay a little for a small repair and not a lot for a full replacement!
Importance of Gutter Guards
Gutter guards function very similarly to the drain guards/catches you have for your kitchen sink. They act as a mesh guard over the tops of your gutters and downpipes that will let through water and small amounts of dirt, while keeping out large rubbish like leaves, sticks, feathers and animals.
Keep in mind that this can cause debris to pile up on the tops of your gutters, so you’ll need to inspect them regularly to clear them.
Make sure to browse the full range of products in our online store to find everything you need to keep your roof in good condition!
Choose Roofing Options for Downpipes You Can Rely On
We know your home can benefit from high-quality rain gutter downpipes, so why not shop for some right now? At Roofing Options, we are proud to stock a great range of downpipes and downpipe accessories for Melbourne’s properties. From classic downpipes and round offsets to clips and downpipe pops, we have a fantastic range you can use to augment your home’s existing gutter system or replace it with brand-new materials.
To chat with one of our experts about any questions you may have about our downpipes and gutters, please call us at one of our three stores. Ring 03 9354 2633 to chat with a Coburg team member, 03 8339 1150 for our Campbellfield store or 03 9702 3301 to speak with staff from our Cranbourne location. Or use our online form to leave us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
