How to stop the annoying drip of a downpipe?

Hi team, Can you tell me the best way to put a stop to the sound of water dripping down my downpipe and hitting the elbow. It's right outside my bedroom window and once the rain stops it can drip for ages. Slightly annoying when you are trying to sleep! I've read things like gluing a piece of sponge inside the elbow. Is this what you would recommend?

Find more posts tagged with

Repairing

Plumbing

Comments

EricL

Hello @Rotate

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your downpipe.

There could be any number of possible causes in regards to how the dripping occurs in your downpipe. It could be leaves, dry twigs or some other debris that is allowing the water to bridge to the edge or center of the downpipe and causing it to make a dripping noise.

Technically regular cleaning of the gutter will eliminate this phenomenon. However, as a quick solution to the problem I suggest trying to install a Jack Plastic Gutterguard Downpipe Cover. This will prevent the debris from stopping in the middle of the downpipe and reducing the chances of bridging.

I don't recommend installing a sponge inside the elbow as it will act like a sieve and stop the debris from flowing out. If enough debris is placed on the sponge, it will block the drain.

Since you'll be using a ladder, I suggest having a quick look at this guide - How to use ladders safely by @Adam_W. Please remember to keep safety in mind and get an extra pair of hands to hold the ladder while you are using it.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Rotate

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/37459#Comment_37459

Thanks Eric for your reply. I will grab a ladder and have a look up there, but I highly doubt that it is from debris or anything as this is a new build in a new estate and there are no trees around whatsoever. I have only been in the house for five months, and have only noticed it since the weather is starting to get a bit wet. I believe it’s just the fall of the water when it hits the bottom of the elbow. I will see if I can find another solution. Thanks.

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/80947#Comment_80947

Hi @Rotate

Investigating the cause is the best way to find out why the dripping is occurring. The only other thought in my mind is the way the down pipe has been angled. If it is off center and is leaning, odds are that the water is getting to the edge of the dropper and is falling off it instead of flowing onto the downpipe. But the only way to find out is by having a look and testing it with your garden hose.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the dripping fixed.

Eric

Scootergirl

I’ve heard that if you run a length of rope down the stairs pipe it will stop it dripping

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/47709#Comment_47709

Hi @Scootergirl,

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Yes, we have sometimes recommended hanging something like a rope, a chain or fibreglass fishing tape in a downpipe to help reduce the dripping sound. This works because the surface tension gives the water something to cling which will slow the water down instead of freefalling to the bottom which will make the dripping sound much louder.

If @Rotate hasn't already fixed the issue, this would certainly be worth a try.

Jacob

Child Item