What is a downspout filter?

A downspout filter is a device installed into either a gutter or downspout that prevents debris from reaching a rainwater storage tank. Without a downspout filter, water can clog a water storage tank and overflow, compromising the building’s foundation. Downspout filters can be installed anywhere from the gutter outlet to the downspout outlet. They prevent leaves, critters, twigs, and other debris from blocking pathways to your water storage tanks.

Downspout filters are also important in homes that do not collect rainwater for outdoor use. Whether you wish to save rainwater or not, downspout filters keep your downspouts running smoothly. Foundation damage is not limited to homes with a water storage tank. If debris clutters your gutters or downspouts, water can overflow or leak and pool around your home’s foundation. This will cause damage much more expensive than the initial and operating costs of appropriate downspout filters.

Are downspout filters necessary?

For buildings that have no gutter protection, downspout filters are necessary to prevent pooling around the building’s foundation. Even if your property does not have tall trees, downspout filters ensure other debris does not clog your downspouts. They also deter rodents and other small creatures from inhabiting your rainwater collection system.

Even if you do have gutter protection, downspout filters may be necessary if your roof is prone to small debris that can sneak through a gutter guard. If collecting the purest water possible is your goal, using gutter guards with a downspout filter is your best bet.

What type of downspout filter do I need?

The type of downspout filter you need depends on the amount and type of debris your rooftop experiences. For example, if your home is surrounded by oak trees, you will want more heavy-duty filters than a home in the middle of trees with lighter leaves. If you need to clean your gutters regularly because of excessive debris, a combination of gutter guards and downspout filters may be necessary to keep water flowing to your rainwater collection tank. The Leaf Eater downspout filters by Blue Mountain provide excellent filtration while blending in with your downspouts.

To keep your rainwater at maximum cleanliness, consider adding a Maelstrom rainwater filter to your rainwater storage tank. It is compatible with pre-filters, such as the Leaf Eater series. Having multiple layers of filtration ensures that a high percentage of debris stays out of your tank. It also makes life easier on the filters in the later stages of filtration, extending their lifespans greatly.

Are downspout filters better than gutter guards?

Downspout filters are more efficient than gutter guards in a couple of ways. With gutter guards, leaves and debris may block the opening in the gutters, causing water to fall off the edge of the roof instead of flowing through your gutters. Gutter guards also do not filter out smaller debris as well as downspout filters, so downspout filters provide cleaner water than gutter guards can.

The downside of downspout filters versus gutter guards is the maintenance required for both the gutters and filters themselves. Regardless of the filtration or lack thereof present on your gutters, you will need to clear your rooftop or gutters of debris regularly. If you own gutter guards, leaves can weigh down on your rooftop and cause costly damage. To keep your roof healthy, clearing the leaves piled on the edge of your roof is essential. Without gutter guards, gutters must be cleared of debris to make way for water flow. While a strainer will prevent most debris from entering a downspout, the gutters can become filled quickly during periods of high wind or rainfall. In addition to needing to clear your gutters, downspout filters must be periodically cleaned to ensure proper efficiency. Having both gutter guards and downspout filters installed in your rainwater collection system will provide the greatest filtration for the least amount of maintenance.

How much maintenance is needed with downspout filters?

Maintaining a downspout filter typically means removing the top of the filter and clearing the mesh of debris. This can be accomplished with a hose or brush depending on the type of debris. This maintenance should be performed after every major rainfall or period with high winds. A downspout filter will need to be cleaned more regularly during the autumn months as leaves will quickly congest the filter. Many downspout filters, like the Leaf Eater series, contain sloped edges that allow a large portion of debris to slide off. This keeps the filter running smoothly. However, this does not mean that the mesh does not need to be cleaned.