Downspouts are a great way to divert water away from the foundation of your house. However, over time they can become clogged with debris and cause rainwater overflow to pool near your foundation. This blog post will teach you how to clean downspouts from the ground safely and efficiently so that they do not pose any more problems for you.
This blog post is informative as it teaches readers how to prevent some potential problems by cleaning their downspouts often. It’s lighthearted because it provides an easy-to-follow process without too many complicated steps or intimidating vocabulary words. You need to know how to clean downspouts from the ground.
Step to Follow on How to Clean Downspouts From the Ground
Step One: Place Your Mesh Bag
The first step to cleaning downspouts is to place the mesh bag over the spout. Next, make sure you smooth out any wrinkles in the mesh so that they don’t impede water flow or stick to you when trying to remove it. Some people like to use a drop cloth under their feet for this job, but it’s not entirely necessary.
Tie the mesh bag snugly around the spout so that it won’t slip off while you’re working and so that it’s not too tight to impede water flow. Sagging mesh bags can allow debris to fall out, while too-tight bags will make cleaning a pain in the neck.
Step Two: Tying Off the Mesh Bag
Once your mesh bag is secure around the spout, it’s time to tie it off around a support structure. You can use a large nail or hook that is driven into a beam or stud in your home’s frame or secure it to a fence post. If you’re using tape instead of rope, you can attach the bag to itself.
You want to make sure that the support structure is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the mesh bag. If you don’t tie off your bag securely, it can sag and spill water or debris on you while you’re cleaning it out. I’ve had this happen before; it’s no fun.
Step Three: Pour the Water on the Mesh Bag
You’re now ready to pour the water down the spout and let it work its magic of pulling out tree roots, leaves, and other organic matter. Again, you can jump up and down on a platform or step stool if you want to help the water work its way through the mesh more quickly.
In general, letting your downspout run for about a half-hour is sufficient time to allow debris to accumulate on the ground next to it and also in the bag itself. It’s a good rule of thumb to let it run until you can see that there’s an inch or more of matter in the bottom of the bag.
Step Four: Cleaning Out Your Mesh Bag
Once you’re satisfied that your downspout has run for long enough, carefully untie or remove your bag from its support structure and carry it over to a large trashcan. Dump the contents onto the can or out on a tarp laid on the ground. The odds are that you’re not going to be able to get all of the material out of your bag with your hands, so you’ll want to use a stick or some other long object for this job.
It’s also possible that there might be some small pieces still stuck in the stitching along the top of the bag. This probably won’t come out without some effort, so don’t fret too much about those little bits and pieces. This will help in how to clean downspouts from the ground.
Step Five: Replacing Your Mesh Bag
All you need to do now is tie your mesh downspout cleaning bag back onto the spout where the old one was. It would help to place it about an inch or two above where the water is coming out to not interfere with the flow. If your bag is too high, not all of the debris will be caught in it.
Don’t worry about them if you have a few small pieces left over when you’re done cleaning your downspouts. They aren’t going to affect your plumbing or septic system severely, and they’ll be blown away when it rains. Just keep an eye on the spout to ensure that water is flowing smoothly down the pipe.
Step Six: Clearing Out Your Trashcan
Once you’re finished working, make sure that your trashcan is somewhere where it won’t cause problems. You should aim to keep your downspouts at least ten feet away from any drains or other areas where water might pool up during a heavy rainstorm, so don’t forget to move the can along with you!
If you’re using a tarp, make sure to roll it up neatly and tie it back onto your bucket or cart so that you can carry it to its final destination. Neatly folded tarps are easier to carry than loose ones that can become dirty or wet. Also, once you’re done for the day, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of a clean drain for several months before you have to go through this whole process again.
It’s an easy way to save yourself from doing any backbreaking labor and a great way to prevent basement flooding if you suffer from heavy storms or very hard rainfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Clean Gutters from The Ground?
It is possible to clean gutters from the ground, but it would be much easier if you had a ladder.
If you have a ladder, then all you need to do is climb up and use your hands to scrub the gutter down. If not, it will be necessary for you to remove the gutter to clean it properly.
Why Do My Downspouts Go Into the Ground?
It is possible that the downspouts are not installed correctly. If this is the case, then there may be an issue with the gutter system. This can be corrected by having a professional come out and install it correctly, or if you have some experience in construction, installing it yourself.
However, if you have been noticing a smell coming from your yard when it rains, then you might need to clean your downspouts as well as your gutters so that they will work properly again.
Is It Ok to Bury Downspouts?
Yes, it is absolutely fine to bury downspouts. The only problem with burying them is that the rainwater may not drain properly into your gutters and may pool in your yard or on the ground.
In order to avoid this issue, you can install a gutter-mounted downspout diverter that directs the water away from your yard and out of your gutter. This will ensure that all of the rainwater drains into your gutters and is taken care of properly.
Should Downspouts Touch the Ground?
When you are designing your downspouts, it is important to take into account the local climate and what type of drainage system you want.
If you live in a wetter area where water can collect in low spots or pools, it is best to place your downspouts so that they connect with the ground. However, if you live in an area where the rainwater quickly drains away from your property and doesn’t stay on the ground for long, then placing them at least six inches above the ground will work better.
Are Underground Downspouts a Good Idea?
Underground downspouts are a good idea if you have a large yard and want to avoid using up your roof’s valuable space. However, the downside is that they can be expensive and not easily accessible for installation.
Some of the Benefits of Underground Downspouts Include :
- The length of the system is only limited by how far you want it to go from your house.
- They don’t require cutting into your roof or digging into your lawn.
- They’re quick and easy to install with no special tools required.
- You don’t need to worry about leaks because they use gravity as opposed to water pressure, which makes them more reliable than other types of downspouts that rely on water pressure.
Conclusion
There are many ways to get your downspouts cleaned. If you’re not sure which option is best for you, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to help answer any questions or concerns that arise. You can also check out our blog post on how to clean them from the ground if this cleaning method appeals more than others!
It’s easy and will save you time in the long run. With a bit of patience and hard work, you’ll be able to keep the drain clear and free of blockages for many years to come. Just make sure to get the spouts cleaned out before any freezing weather strikes; otherwise, you may end up with a mess that’s much harder to clean!
That’s it for this article on how to clean downspouts from the ground. Sometime in the future, we may write another article on cleaning downspouts from the ground. Check out our blog to see if that happens, and please let us know what you think of this article by leaving a comment!
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