Understanding Gutter Downspouts | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House general contractor Tom Silva teaches host Kevin O’Connor what he needs to know about gutter downspouts, including how they work and the different types of downspouts on the market.

Kevin O'Connor learns about gutter downspouts from general contractor Tom Silva. Tom teaches Kevin what he needs to know, from the different types of elbows and outlets and a few tips on how to get that water away from the home.

Gutters collect the water from our roofing systems, and they shuttle it away from the house to protect our foundations. But, to get that water from the gutter to the ground requires a downspout. There are a lot of different downspouts and fittings to consider to move that rainwater far enough away from the home.

Where to find it?
Tom Silva explains the options available for gutter downspouts to divert water away from a home’s foundation.

Tom recommends sealing any drilled holes with butyl caulking because it seals well to aluminum.

Tom explains that gutter elbows are the best way to divert gutters and they come in a variety of options to accommodate the needs of any homeowner. A few examples of gutter elbows include:

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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Understanding Gutter Downspouts | Ask This Old House

[patty]

I love how kevin acts like he knows nothing despite having been on the show for years and obvi knows all of it 😀

[ericwanderweg]

Perfect timing on this episode considering it’s been raining here in New England for a week straight with basically another week to go 🤦‍♂️
Funny coincidence, 2 days ago I added a downspout extension in the front of my house to do just this.

[Alex.AL_]

yes, there are adaptors to connect a different size pipe than you already have.

[phartsdust]

20 years ago i tore mine off. I needed to replace the boards behind the gutters all around my house. I have a line all around my house where the water rolls off my roof. i do have a 2 foot overhang. I don't care about that line. I am very happy without them.

[BobbieJeanM]

I appreciate learning about the different styles of attachments to the gutter and disbursement attachments for the downspout. I wish you had also talked about the different sizes since I’ve see 2 in the big box stores near me. Also how and where to attach one piece to another with the very tiny screws that are supposed to be used. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I finally have 3 of the 4 corners fixed so water doesn’t come in but there’s one that always has water in the basement when there’s heavy rain for a day or more. I can’t get the darn screws to work! 😖🤦🏼‍♀️

[ramonriveraroman]

My question is what is the name of the flexible downspout capital A spout elephant trunk extension 😆😆😆 no I couldn't help it but all jokes aside thanks for the tips and advises.

[mikedunn]

No mention of dealing with clogging in the downspouts. That is my *main* problem, and elm seeds are the cause. They turn to porridge when they get wet.

[robertmaddox]

Maybe us a Gutter Saddle - - has 45-Degeree sloped portion before going vertical & into downspout ? ?

[lanadart]

How do I know if I have two by three downspouts or 3 by 4 downspouts on my house?

[ilovetotri]

I am in my second home now. It was built very well. I understand the importance of directing water off of the foundation. I have bought a couple of plastic flexible downspouts. They keep falling off. Any ideas? Riveting did not work.

[tanktexas]

I have water going away from my house but here in Texas it gets hot, and my dad always told me to water my foundation. How much water is too much for that.

[evc]

You provided links to finding transition elbows except for the 2" x 3" B to A transition elbow which is almost impossible to find. I've noticed that the few sellers of these elbows are showing a photo, but giving incorrect descriptions of B to A and A to B. Who sells these? I need a B to A.

[mpharr]

What about the different sizes gutters and downspouts ? What about the many capabilities to block leaves and catkins from clogging gutters?

[oldtwinsna]

Avoid the accordion style as any sun hitting it will eventually cause it to crack in a few years.

[latinmaleaz]

my 1st video to watch about gutters....thx....i need to fix the porch and install ...NVR done it...remove bad parts and nail posts first n then wood plank...make it look like a ramp and install gutters in two....is there a way to connect 2 gutters into a single downspout to keep the water away from the foundation...? gracias...

[Charlesb]

I can’t believe they allow this sort of gutter talk on TV. 😂

[emilo]

Where can you buy the diverter that moves up?

[robertmaddox]

The issue with my gutters is they always clog at the gutter outlet to the downspout, thus backing up the remainder of the gutter. How is this issue best solved?

[angellas.]

These gutters are the most inefficient style of gutters for diverting water away from your house. It’s amazing how little the design has changed on this, considering how important it is. It’s amazing how the bottom of the gutter is flat, and not curved. No wonder it has to cleaned 2 times a year even with screens on them. Very inefficient!

[mikec]

Do any of the leaf covers for gutters really work?