What Are Downpipes?
Downpipes are an integral part of your drainage system. In this blog, we will explore the purpose of downpipes, the various downpipe options available to you, how to clean your downpipes and how to install them.
What do Downpipes do?
Downpipes run down the side of a building and are designed to move water from the guttering into the drainage system, keeping water away from the building and helping to prevent damage.
How many Downpipes do I need?
The number of downpipes you need will depend on the size and pitch of your roof. For example, the larger the roof area and steeper the pitch, the greater the volume and flow of rainwater. This means more water needs to be diverted away from the building and therefore more downpipes may be required. However, you do need to mindful of how many drains you have around your home or business premises. If you are simply replacing an existing guttering system, we would recommend replacing like for like and having the same number of downpipes.
How to choose Downpipe Size and length
The size and length of your downpipe will depend on the size of you home or building.
Size of Downpipe
The size of your downpipe will depend on the area of your roof and the amount of water you need to direct away from it. We offer 65mm, 68mm and 110m sized downpipes, allowing you to choose the most appropriate size for your building.
Length of Downpipe
As with the size, there are also various lengths of downpipe available. Here at National Plastics we offer both 2.5m and 4m long downpipes. This means we can accommodate guttering systems for a variety of buildings, from traditional terraces and family detached to commercial and hospitality buildings.
How Far apart should Downpipes be?
The distance between your downpipes will depend on the size of the building. However, a good rule of thumb is to have one downpipe every 9m (30ft) to 12m (39ft).
Should Downpipes go into the Ground?
No! The aim of a downpipe is to keep water away from the building, especially its foundations. As such a downpipe should direct water into a surface water drain or soakaway, which will allow the rainwater to gradually soak into the ground safely.
