A blocked downpipe is the #1 cause of gutter overflow. Here's how to troubleshoot.
Where the block usually is
- Top of pipe (gutter inlet) - most common. Leaves and silt at the gutter outlet.
- First bend - second most common. Debris settles at the elbow.
- Stormwater pit at ground level - third. Mud and leaves accumulating in the pit cap.
The hose test
Run a hose from the top of the downpipe. If water backs up, the block is below. If water flows freely, the issue is elsewhere in the gutter system.
Stormwater pit check
Lift the pit cap at ground level. Mud, leaves and silt accumulate here.
When to call a pro
If the hose test reveals a block you can't access from above (gutter level) and the pit is clear, you've got a mid-pipe block that needs snaking. Cost: $120-$250 for a single downpipe clear.