High quality downspouts for a durable roof drainage system

A gutter including downpipes is of course part of the basic equipment of any roof. After all, a sufficiently sized roof drainage system will, among other things, prevent the walls of the house from being damaged by damp over time.

Aside from that, it is of course a good idea to collect the water from the downpipes in rain barrels and use it to water your own garden. Anyway, when buying downspouts, make sure you look for good quality so that they last as long as possible without needing expensive repairs.

The most important downspout facts at a glance

• As an important part of the roof drainage system, downspouts must necessarily be the right size.

• The water collected with the gutter can be directed through the connected downpipes to the sewerage system.

• If the rainwater is to be used for watering, the downpipes can be fitted with a rain collector.

• Rainwater downpipes are available in plastic as well as in different metals, so, among other things, the service life can vary depending on the material.

• For the installation of the downpipes, various connecting pipes as well as sockets and other components for the connection are available.

• For garden houses, downpipes with a smaller diameter can be used to collect rainwater for watering.

Dimension and number of downspouts

To ensure that rainwater is reliably drained away, it is imperative that the downspouts connected to the gutter are of the correct size. The required inner diameter as well as the number of downpipes depends on various factors that must be taken into account when planning the roof drainage system.

In addition to the amount of precipitation, the surface area of the roof to be drained plays a role in particular. For a 40-square-meter roof, for example, an inner diameter of 60 millimeters is considered a guideline, while for a 150-square-meter roof area, it is 100 millimeters.

Despite the name downpipe, most of the water does not free-fall down the pipe when it rains. Instead, it mainly flows down the inside wall of the downspout.

Downspouts made of different materials

Downspouts are available in different materials. In addition to plastic downspouts, there are also pipes made of stainless steel and various metals. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages.

In principle, it is of course a good idea to buy gutters and downspouts made of the same material. This is not only for optical reasons, but also because some metals don't get along with each other and corrode particularly quickly when in direct contact.

Plastic downspouts

Plastic downspouts are particularly cheap and easy to install. At the same time, they are characterized by high resistance to weather. However, compared to metal pipes, plastic downpipes have a shorter lifespan, which should be taken into account when considering the initial costs.

Zinc downspouts

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In addition to plastic rain pipes, zinc, or zinc-titanium, downspouts are particularly popular. The material is strong and durable, so the slightly higher price is worth it. A characteristic gray patina forms on zinc downspouts over time, which can be avoided by painting the downspouts in a timely manner.

Downpipes made from other metals

In addition to zinc titanium, other metals used in the manufacture of downspouts include copper and stainless steel. Stainless steel downpipes are very strong and virtually corrosion free. Their comparatively high price definitely pays off in the long run due to their long life and stability.

This principle also applies to copper, which is popular especially because of the green color its surface turns over time. However, as copper corrodes strongly when it comes into contact with certain other metals, it can only be combined with other materials to a limited extent.

Directing rainwater from downspout to rain barrel

Gutters and the downspouts connected to them are, of course, primarily for roof drainage. However, this does not mean that water collected in this way necessarily ends up in the sewer system.

Those with their own gardens should instead fit their downpipes with rainwater collectors, which allow the water to be diverted into rain barrels and then used to water the garden as required.

After all, rainwater is totally free, unlike tap water. That said, watering with rainwater can reduce drinking water consumption, so it's not just your wallet that benefits, but the environment as well.

Downspouts and handy accessories

To be able to install downpipes correctly, you of course need suitable connecting elements. These include, for example, sleeves and sleeve joints. If two downpipes are to be connected, a so-called Y-pipe or also a Y-pipe can be used for this purpose, depending on the length of the pipe.

Aside from this, there are also various accessories, such as the rainwater catchers already mentioned, as well as gravel trap baskets, with which leaves and other debris can be collected so that the downpipes are not clogged.

There are also accessories.

Garden shed rain hoses

Whilst residential buildings will always require a roof drainage system with matching gutters and downpipes, there is no requirement to install a corresponding system on garden sheds.

Nevertheless, it is useful to prevent moisture damage to the garden shed and to collect extra rainwater for watering. Of course, much thinner downpipes will suffice for a garden shed, as the roof area is much smaller compared to residential houses.

As for the downpipe material, on the other hand, the same points basically apply to the installation on the garden shed in terms of price differences as well as expected life span.

Buy cheap downspouts online

If you need suitable downspouts for your roof drainage system, you are sure to find them in our shop. Choose the variant that fits your building from rain pipes of different designs and buy your downspouts including accessories directly online.

We deliver your order conveniently to your home. Enjoy low prices and excellent quality when you shop with us, thanks to which you can count on the longevity of your new downspouts.