There are certainly people who enjoy the sound made by water falling onto a metal surface, and it is relatively common for homeowners to request that a Houston roofing professional install a tin roof over a deck or patio for this very reason. Other homeowners would prefer added insulation in a home to muffle these noises. Fortunately, for those who do not enjoy the sound made by a noisy downspout, fixing this issue is simple and does not require much time or effort.
Understanding what causes the downspout to make noise in the first place is helpful in correcting the issue. As rainwater runs through the gutters and is filtered to the downspout, it is sometimes the case that the entry point becomes slightly clogged and inhibits the free flow of water. When this happens, the water drips down the spout and hits one of the elbows on its inner portion, resulting in the distinctive noise that can irritate homeowners. Keeping the downspout and gutters clear of any debris that restricts the flow of water will surely help reduce the incidence of noise, but doing so will not necessarily eliminate it.
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In order to keep the downspout from making noise, the homeowner has recourse to a variety of options. The first involves removing the bottom strap of the downspout so that it can be slightly repositioned to reduce the incidence of noise. Repositioning the downspout by as little as a half an inch in either direction will reduce the noise significantly and does not require the homeowner to access the roof.
Another option requires a bit more time and effort. Using caulk and a length of nylon rope, the homeowner can seal the edge of the downspout's upper opening while leaving a small gap of about 1/4 of an inch. The rope should then be glued in place with the caulk next to the small gap, allowing the rope to run down the length of the downspout. At the bottom, the rope should be glued in place at the elbow. This will cause the water that would normally drip and fall freely to instead wick along the length of the rope, eliminating the noise typically produced by free falling water. This solution is the most ideal and consistently effective solution for noise reduction, but it will require the homeowner to access the roof or at least climb a ladder to reach the gutters.
