Gutters seem to get all the attention. They catch water from the roof and keep it from spilling into your foundation, but without adequate downspouts, gutters are useless.

They come in many shapes and sizes:

• Corrugated
  • 2” x 3”
  • 3” x 4”
  • 4” x 5”
• Round
  • 3”
  • 4”
  • 5”
• Square (Commercial)
  • 2”
  • 3”
  • 4”
  • 5”

The size and number of downspouts needed for your application is based on the maximum drainage capacity calculation. In other words: a home with a large roof area will need eight to ten large (3” x 4”) downspouts that are adequately spaced whereas a smaller home might just need four 2” x 3” downspouts.

Downspouts also connect your gutters to a rain barrel or a ground drainage system.