Gutters and downspouts are essential in every functioning roofing system. They are responsible for water management. They serve to effectively channel water away from direct it to more appropriate areas. This prevents water from settling on your roof during and after a storm, which can lead to an overflow.
Once the water seeps into your foundation, it will make everything that supports your structure more vulnerable to rotting, rusting, and other damage. However, this function of gutters and downspouts can be less convenient when they’re making a lot of bothersome noise during the process.
When it’s raining, a gutter system in good shape won’t make any noises other than the splashing sounds as water makes its way through. If it makes a thudding and clanging noise, there may be something wrong with the system.
Don’t let the persistent noise of the rainwater hitting the gutters and downspouts continuously disrupt your relaxation time at home. Take the time to check your gutter system and follow these tips to eliminate the thudding and clanging sounds.
Adjust The Downspout Angle
One of the simplest ways to fix a noise downspout is to reposition it. Typically, the water coming from the gutters passes to the downspout and flows off into the yard without making a peep. However, it would produce a jarring noise with each drop due to various reasons. The downspouts could be too rigid, not installed properly, or completely vertical.
Before moving onto complex solutions, sometimes a simple adjustment on the angle may be all you need to make sure that the water gracefully slides onto the downspout and out the bottom. Water will flow much better and not drip as much.
Use a space or a longer clip to move the bottom part of the downspout far away from the house’s wall. Instead of falling straight down to the elbow, it will run at an angle and drip to the side. This will cause the water to trickle down in a much quieter fashion.
Insulate the Downspout
If adjusting the angle doesn’t work, this is the next best bet. Surface vibrations are one of the reasons gutters and downspouts get noisy. When you install foam insulators, it will reduce or eliminate the dripping noise by rainwater hitting downspouts’ outer surface. You can cover the downspout pipe with foam insulators or by making use of spray foam.
Replace the Downspout Elbow
Downspout elbows are pre-formed curved parts connected to downspouts placed at the top and bottom of the downspouts. They come in various angles, most commonly 45 degrees and 90 degrees. It is installed if the downspout cannot go straight to the ground or the bottom needs to be extended away from its foundation.
A downspout elbow is likely to make noise when it is made of metal. When runoff water hits the elbow of the downspout, you’ll hear a faint murmur instead of an echoing metallic clang. Remove the metal elbow where the runoff water empties and replace it with a lighter material like vinyl or plastic tubing. It will do a better job of muffling the sounds of water as it hit the elbow.
Absorb the Water
Another trick that can be done to the downspout elbow is to attach an object on the inside to absorb the water as it drips or trickles down. A piece of sponge, artificial turf, a shingle section, or a foam downspout can be inserted into the bottom of the downspout opening. Placing one of them would be enough to absorb the drips and reduce the noise.
Employ Rope or Downspout Chains
Using a nylon rope or a rain chain is another option when all else fails. A synthetic rope is often tied onto the gutter hangers and runs down through the bottom. This catches the water from the top of the gutter. Drops of water will cling to the rope and flow down instead of making hard contact with the elbow at the bottom, which causes the irritating sound.
However, adding a rope may not be the best option for all situations. A rope shouldn’t be used if your gutter is prone to overflowing or gets clogged easily since this restricts the water flow.
A downspout chain or rain chain employs a somewhat similar concept to a rope. The chain allows the water to move down effortlessly without making a noise. The only difference with the rope solution is that the downspout is removed altogether and replaced by the decorative chain.
Rain chains are a popular alternative to a gutter downspout that started in Japan. Some are made as simple chains. Others use different shapes like cups or bells that release a sound similar to a wind chime as rain travels down them, making it appealing to many people.
However, a rain chain is not appropriate for areas where heavy rainfall occurs. A gutter system needs to be capable of handling and moving a large volume of water away from your foundations. Unfortunately, rain chains are not as capable of doing both as a standard downspout.
A small pot or catch basin is often included with traditional rain chains to handle the water that travels down the chain. If you live in an area with frequent heavy downpours, the chains would quickly be overwhelmed unless the water is redirected into a rain barrel. Some would use a basin under the rain chain and top of pavers or flagstones to direct the water into the yard.
Fahey Roofing Contractors has the experienced and skilled contractors you need to help you with any necessary roof repairs and roof replacement. As roof contractors, we understand the importance of well-designed gutters. We want you to enjoy the benefits of a high-quality gutter system.
We serve various areas in West Virginia and Ohio. Visit our website today at www.faheyroofingcontractors.com or contact us at (304) 826-1323 for West Virginia or (740) 523-0380 for Ohio to learn more.
Sources:
- https://www.tullamorelife.net/quiet-please-how-to-silence-a-loud-rain-gutter/
- https://www.divineroofinginc.com/blog/2020/october/what-to-do-about-noisy-gutters-and-downspouts/
- https://www.gutterhelmet.com/blog/5-tips-for-silencing-noisy-rain-gutter-downspouts/