How to tell if a downpipe is blocked

Signs of a blocked downpipe

• Water spilling out around the top of the downpipe
• The gutter backs up even though it looks clear
• Little or no water coming out at the bottom when it rains
• Gurgling sounds, or water leaking from joints in the pipe

A simple check

During rain, stand where you can see both the top and bottom of the pipe. If water is going in but very little is coming out, it is likely blocked.

What to do

We can clear the downpipe and flush it through. It is usually worth cleaning the gutters at the same time, since that is where the debris comes from. See downpipe clearing.