Downspout Repair and Extensions in Rockford, IL
Updated
Short answer
The common problems
- Loose straps: the downspout pulls away from the wall and joints separate. New straps every few feet hold it.
- Crushed elbows and sections: from ladders, mowers and snow blowers. HomeGuide puts replacement at $30 to $75 per downspout, or $4 to $5 per foot in aluminum.
- Missing extensions: the most common and the most costly. Water dumped at the foundation ends up in the basement.
- Separated outlet: the top of the downspout has pulled off the gutter and water pours down the wall.
How far the water should go
The DOE's building science guidance is to connect downspouts to piping that carries water to a sloping final grade farther than 5 feet from the foundation, or to an underground catchment farther than 10 feet away that is not connected to the foundation drain. A splash block alone does not do that.
Watch where the extension points. Water sent across a driveway or sidewalk freezes in winter, and Rockford sees 135.8 days a year with a freezing low.
Volume
By USGS arithmetic, one inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of roof is about 623 gallons. A downspout draining a quarter of a 2,000 square foot roof sends about 300 gallons through one spot in an inch of rain. That is why one missing extension can wet a basement wall.
Common questions
Downspout Repair and Extensions: questions
How far should a downspout extend from the house?
U.S. DOE building guidance is to carry the water to sloping ground more than 5 feet from the foundation, or to an underground catchment more than 10 feet away.
How much does it cost to replace a downspout?
HomeGuide lists $30 to $75 per downspout, or $2 to $4 per linear foot on average depending on material.
Other gutter services
Downspout Repair and Extensions in the Rockford area
Tell us the address, how tall the house is and what you need. A local crew calls back with a price before anything is booked.