How to Avoid Costly Downspout Gutter Repairs

If there’s one thing a healthy home depends on, it’s a strong foundation. Many people aren’t aware that an issue with their downspout line can actually compromise their structure and lead to costly home repairs. This doesn’t have to be the case, of course. It’s actually quite easy to avoid with a little tool called a hydro jet.

DOWNSPOUT GUTTER MAINTENANCE 101:

Spring is always a good time to take stock of your home and check a few basic things. There are even some DIY steps you can take to prep your home for the upcoming year that don’t require any special equipment besides a ladder and maybe a drain snake. Plumbing One’s Spring Checklist is a great place to start, but to truly ensure your downspout line is unclogged, every now and then it’s good to pull out the big guns. Any plumber worth their salt knows that only one tool completely clears a downspout line the right way every time.

THE ALL-POWERFUL HYDRO JET

Hydro jets are the number one tool for today’s residential (and commercial for that matter) plumber. Basically, these machines consist of a nozzle, a very long hose, and an extraordinarily high-pressure water pump. Sediment can get lodged in your downspout line and build up over time, so it’s wise to periodically flush your system to avoid a huge downspout repair bill.

The water pressure from our hydro jets can send as much as 4,000 pounds per square inch right at your downspout blockage. For reference, 4,000 pounds is about the weight of a small truck. There isn’t much that can take that kind of a beating. Your local plumber should be trained on how to operate the equipment, feeding the nozzle and hose into your downspout line safely and effectively. A hydro jet cleaning should be more than enough to clear any blockages you may have currently and to set you up for another year of stress-free downspout functionality.

DO I REALLY HAVE TO RUN A HYDRO JET EVERY YEAR?

We recommend it. Calling up your plumbing contractor once a year to clear your downspout line with a hydro jet will prevent water from building up around the base of your home. This can lead to a costly downspout gutter repair. To put it plainly, we generally suggest folks play it safe with downspout maintenance. In bad cases, an obstructed pipe can cause water to back up around your foundation. This can put pressure on the walls, causing cracks, leaks, and in extreme instances, collapse. An experienced hydro jet operator can take that worry off the table completely for you.

WE ♥ U COLUMBUS.

We really do consider it a special honor to serve the Central Ohio community. Columbus is the foundation of our lives, our relationships, and our business — it’s why we put so much effort into protecting our fellow residents, the foundations of their homes, and their other plumbing needs.

Plumbing One offers hydro jetting and other preventative plumbing services to help families avoid big-ticket plumbing repairs. We have over 30 years of hydro jet work under our collective belt, so don’t hesitate to give us a ring with any questions or to schedule a service call.

Please let us know if we can be of service to you this season.