Chloe Zhang
Plastic downpipes can be a source of unwanted noise, especially when water drips down and hits the elbow or the plastic bottom, creating a constant dripping sound that can be annoying, especially when trying to sleep. There are several methods to reduce or eliminate this noise, including modifying the downpipe spout, installing a cover, or using sound-absorbing materials. Some quick fixes include inserting a strip of plastic or rubber into the gutter, placing a sponge or tennis ball at the bottom, or hanging a rope or chain inside the pipe to reduce the dripping sound. More permanent solutions involve soundproofing the pipe by wrapping it with insulating or noise-blocking materials, filling cavities with sound absorption products, or modifying the pipe's angle to guide the drips to the side.
How to stop noise from plastic downpipes
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of noise | Dripping water, debris, leaves, twigs, dirt, pipe angle, pipe material |
| Short-term solutions | Remove the shoe, insert a strip of plastic or rubber, use a sponge, tennis ball, or towel to reduce noise |
| Long-term solutions | Install a bend at the top or bottom of the downpipe, use a chain, rope, or fishing tape, soundproof with vinyl, pipe wrap, or insulation |
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What You'll Learn
Insert a bend at the top of the downpipe
If you have a plastic downpipe that is making a dripping noise, one solution is to insert a bend at the top of the downpipe, just below the gutter. This will cause the water to run down the inside wall of the downpipe, and it will only drip when it exits the pipe.
This solution is most effective for round downpipes, which can be twisted at the joints to space them correctly from the wall. If you have a square downpipe, the bends can only be inline with the guttering or set at right angles. A bend at the top of a square downpipe may also look unsightly.
One user reported that after trying other methods, their favourite solution was to put a double bend in the downpipe near the guttering. However, another user reported that they tried this method, but the noise was still audible.
Before attempting to insert a bend at the top of your downpipe, it is recommended to investigate the cause of the dripping noise. The way the downpipe has been angled may be causing the noise. If the pipe is off-centre or leaning, the water may be falling off the edge instead of flowing into the downpipe. You can test this by running a garden hose down the pipe.
If you decide to insert a bend at the top of your downpipe, be aware that this may cause debris, such as leaves and dirt, to build up and cause a blockage. Regularly cleaning your gutters can help prevent this.
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Install a Jack Plastic Gutterguard Downpipe Cover
Installing a Jack Plastic Gutterguard Downpipe Cover is an effective way to prevent debris from building up in your downpipe and causing a dripping noise. Jack's Gutter Guard is a heavy-duty gutter mesh made from recycled plastic, designed to be long-lasting.
- Measure the length of your gutter.
- Cut the gutter guard to the same measurement.
- Slide the gutter guard underneath between the bottom layer of shingles and the underlayment.
- Place the other side of the guard over the lip of the gutter and screw it into place. Alternatively, you can bend up one end of the guard and screw it into your fascia.
- When you reach the other end of the gutter, cut the last piece of guard to fit. Depending on the style, your guard may have a lip to fit snugly, or you'll need to screw it down.
This installation process should only take a few hours and will help to reduce the annoying dripping noise from your downpipe.
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Use a galvanised chain
A common technique to reduce the noise from a plastic downpipe is to use a galvanised chain. This method involves buying a length of small-linked galvanised chain that is the same length as the downpipe. Secure one end of the chain to the gutter and feed the chain down the pipe. The water will then follow the natural path of the chain, reducing its velocity and the height of its drop, thus reducing the noise. This method is preferred over using a rope, as the rope may get mouldy over time.
If you do not want to use a galvanised chain, a plastic chain can also be used. This method is useful if you are worried about the potential for electrolysis with a galvanised chain.
Another option is to drill a hole in the side of the downpipe and insert a small length of a regular garden hose with a small amount sticking out. Instead of the drip hitting the bottom of the pipe, it will hit the hose and run down silently.
It is important to note that the use of chains, ropes, or other objects inside the downpipe may increase the risk of blockages. Therefore, it is recommended to regularly clean your gutters and downpipes to prevent debris from building up.
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Soundproof with pipe insulation
Soundproofing a plastic downpipe with pipe insulation is an effective way to reduce pipe noise. The market offers a variety of pipe soundproofing wraps, which are designed to tackle the sounds of water rushing through pipes. These wraps can be used on older cast iron pipes, modern PVC pipes, and most types in between.
One such product is Quiet Wrap™ Pipe Soundproofing Wrap, which is an acoustic pipe insulation product that can be used to soundproof your pipes. It includes a foam composite barrier with a sound barrier membrane. The barrier layer blocks sound, while the acoustic foam layer dampens sound energy. The Quiet Wrap™ also has an adhesive backing, which helps to reduce the vibration of water entering the pipes.
To install this product, first, cut it to the desired length. Then, peel off the adhesive backing and wrap it around your pipe, securing it in place. It is recommended to overlap the edges to create a tight seal and prevent sound or vibration from escaping. Finally, secure the ends of the wrap with tape or adhesive.
Another option for pipe sound insulation is vinyl pipe soundproofing wrap, which also dramatically reduces noise transmission through the walls of ductwork, PVC, and cast iron pipes. This product has a decoupler layer, which improves sound transmission when added to the acoustic pipe wrap insulation. Caution must be taken as the polyurethane foam in this product is flammable and may emit toxic fumes when burned.
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Re-angle the downpipe
Re-angling a downpipe is a possible solution to reduce the dripping noise from a rainwater spout. This method is most effective for straight downpipes that run from the gutter to the ground level. By installing an angle at the top of the downpipe, the water will run down the side of the pipe instead of falling directly to the bottom, reducing the dripping noise.
To do this, you can use a galvanised chain or a plastic chain. Secure one end of the chain to the gutter and feed it down the pipe. The chain will guide the water down the side of the pipe, reducing the noise of dripping. This method ensures that the water follows the natural path, and any small drops will follow the chain, preventing loud dripping noises.
Another way to re-angle the downpipe is to use a strip of material, such as rubber or silicone. Cut a strip of the chosen material and insert it into the gutter or at the top of the downpipe. This will create an angle that guides the water to run down the side of the pipe instead of falling directly to the bottom.
If your downpipe has an elbow, you can try to move it slightly away from the building by wedging a piece of scrap wood between the building and the pipe at the elbow's height. This will cause the water drops to land silently on the side of the pipe instead of hitting the bottom of the elbow.
It is important to note that when re-angling a downpipe, you should ensure that the new angle does not cause blockages or prevent leaves and dirt from being washed down the pipe, as this can lead to future issues. Additionally, always consider the safety and structural integrity of your gutter system when making any modifications.
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Frequently asked questions
A quick fix is to install a Jack Plastic Gutterguard Downpipe Cover to prevent debris from causing blockages. For a more permanent solution, you can try to angle the downpipe so that water runs down the side of the pipe, rather than falling straight down.
You can install an elbow or a bend at the top of the downpipe, just below the guttering. This will guide the water to the side of the pipe.
You can try inserting something into the downpipe to slow the fall of the water, such as a plastic chain, a rope, or a tennis ball.
You can try wrapping the pipe with an insulating material, such as dense vinyl or Quiet Wrap™ Pipe Soundproofing Wrap, to block noise and dampen vibrations.
If the pipe is encased in drywall, you can use a sound absorption product like Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation, which can be installed in the empty space around the pipe.
