Gutter downpipes are a crucial part of a roof's drainage system. They direct rainwater away from the roof to the drainage system and protect the building's foundation from water damage. Therefore, if your downspouts are not functioning properly, it's crucial to replace them. Below are three signs that indicate it is time to invest in new gutter downpipes.

Cracked downpipes

Various factors can cause your downpipes to crack. Old age is the leading cause of wear and tear. Once the downspout materials start to wear or corrode, they become more vulnerable to cracks. Other causes of cracked downpipes include:

• Ladder damage: Placing ladders against your gutters and downpipes can cause damage due to the weight of the user.
• Falling tree branches: Storms and heavy rains can cause large tree branches to snap and fall on your gutters. These branches can cause damage to aluminium and plastic downpipes.

Cracks on your gutter downspouts can cause rainwater to leak on the ground above the foundation. Over time, the leaks can cause water damage to your home. Therefore, install new downpipes to mitigate the leaks. Avoid placing ladders over your gutters to prevent premature wear and tear of the guttering materials.

Rainwater overflow

When installing gutters and downpipes, you must consider the amount of rainfall in your area. If you receive heavy rainfall, you need downspouts that can handle the volume of the water. Small pipes may fill up quickly and cause the gutters to overflow. This overflow not only harms your home's foundation but also will damage exterior paint and wood siding. The weight of standing water can also damage your gutters, especially if they are made of light materials. Therefore, if your gutters are overflowing during the rainy season, it may be time to install correctly sized downpipes.

Noisy downpipes

There are various reasons your downspouts may produce annoying noises as water flows through them. When the pipes are poorly installed, water flows straight down from the gutters and hits the elbow at the bottom. This action produces annoying banging sounds. Also, if the bottom part of your downpipes is metal, you may hear noises as the water hits the metal.

You can muffle downspout noises by employing a few quick fixes. For example, switching the metal elbow for a plastic one may eliminate the banging noises. Also, you can insulate the pipes with spray foam or wrap foam insulators around the pipes. However, if the downspouts are worn, corroded or cracked, replacing them will provide a permanent solution. Seek professional installation services to avoid DIY mistakes that may cause noisy downpipes.

Are your downspouts exhibiting the above signs? If so, replace them to improve your roof's drainage capabilities.