Downspout
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A downspout, waterspout, downpipe, drain spout, drainpipe, roof drain pipe,Francis Joseph Patry 1974. Roof Drain Arrangement
United States Patent 3909412
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or leader is a
pipe Pipe(s), PIPE(S) or piping may refer to: Objects * Pipe (fluid conveyance), a hollow cylinder following certain dimension rules ** Piping, the use of pipes in industry * Smoking pipe ** Tobacco pipe * Half-pipe and quarter pipe, semi-circular ...
for carrying rainwater from a
rain gutter A rain gutter, eavestrough, eaves-shoot or surface water collection channel is a component of a water discharge system for a building. It is necessary to prevent water dripping or flowing off roofs in an uncontrolled manner for several reasons ...
. The purpose of a downspout is to allow water from a gutter to reach the ground without dripping or splashing down the building structure. Downspouts are usually
vertical Vertical is a geometric term of location which may refer to: * Vertical direction, the direction aligned with the direction of the force of gravity, up or down * Vertical (angles), a pair of angles opposite each other, formed by two intersecting s ...
and usually extend down to
ground level Ground level may refer to: * Earth's surface * Storey of a building/structure on (level with) the ground; also called the "ground floor" * Ground Level, Australian band * "Ground Level", a song by Stereo MCs from the album ''Connected'' See als ...
, although may be routed at an angle to avoid architectural features and may discharge onto an intermediate roof. At the bottom of downspout there are typically features to divert discharged water away from the building's foundations to prevent water damage. This may be a simple bend of, typically around 70 degrees, at the bottom. Alternatively a downspout may lead to a sewer, a runoff water drain or a seepway to allow the water to soak into the ground through
seepage Soil mechanics is a branch of soil physics and applied mechanics that describes the behavior of soils. It differs from fluid mechanics and solid mechanics in the sense that soils consist of a heterogeneous mixture of fluids (usually air and wat ...
. Decorative heads are sometimes added, these being low-height
gargoyle In architecture, and specifically Gothic architecture, a gargoyle () is a carved or formed grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building, thereby preventing it from running down masonry walls ...
s.


See also

* Copper downspout *
Rain gutter A rain gutter, eavestrough, eaves-shoot or surface water collection channel is a component of a water discharge system for a building. It is necessary to prevent water dripping or flowing off roofs in an uncontrolled manner for several reasons ...
*
Eaves The eaves are the edges of the roof which overhang the face of a wall and, normally, project beyond the side of a building. The eaves form an overhang to throw water clear of the walls and may be highly decorated as part of an architectural styl ...
*
Leader head Leader heads or conductor heads are components of a roof drainage system which are known by  different names, but they all mean the same. They are funnel-shaped elements, connected in most cases to a gutter, and from there to a downspout. &n ...
*
Rain chain Rain chains ( ja, 鎖樋, or ', See rendaku for why multiple pronunciations. literally "chain-gutter") are alternatives to a downspout. They are widely used in Japan. Their purpose is largely decorative, to make a water feature out of the transp ...
*
Rainwater harvesting Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run off. Rainwater is collected from a roof-like surface and redirected to a tank, cistern, deep pit (well, shaft, or borehole), aquifer, or a reservoir w ...


References


External links

* * Roofs Stormwater management {{Water-transport-stub