How to Stop Downspout Noise

Downspout noise can be persistant and annoying. Downspout noise is usually caused by water hitting a piece of metal in the elbow or downspout itself. Redirecting the water or placing a small soft object underneath the drip to absorb the water and noise are two of the easiet ways to stop downspout noise.

• Adjust the end of the downspout so the opening is directly over the opening of the elbow or drain that the water is dripping on. This allows the water to drip directly into the drain instead of hitting the side of the elbow and helps lessen the noise.


• Check to see if your downspout elbows are made of metal. If they are, this can be the cause of the downspout noise. Remove the elbows and replace them with plastic ones. The noise the water makes when dripping on the plastic elbows is not as loud as the noise it makes on metal ones.


• Cut a small piece of screen the size of the opening in your downspout. Place the screen beween the downspout and elbow to help scatter the water and prevent it from dripping and making noise. The screen still allows the water to flow through.


• Place a piece of sponge in the bend of the noisy downspout. When the water drips down around the bend, it hits the sponge instead of the other part of the downspout. Because the sponge is soft, the drip does not make a noise. Remember to remove the sponge when you go to clean your guters and downspouts.


• Put the tip of your water hose in the top of the noisy downspout. Turn the water on and let it run through the downspout for a minute. Turn the water off and watch for drips. Locate the spot on the downspout where the noisy drips are coming from. Attach a 2-foot piece of string the the spot that the drops are hitting. The water drops on the string and is guided to the drain.