While some people may enjoy listening to the sound of water, rattling gutters or excessive amounts of rainfall coming out of your downspouts can be a bit of a nuisance. Noisy gutters can also be an indication that your gutter system requires maintenance.
As part of the expert team at Today’s Homeowner, I’ve compiled this guide with DIY solutions that you can use to address noisy gutters or rain gutter downspouts. While some of these are quick and permanent fixes, others are temporary measures that you can use until a professional gutter installer can visit your home. Let’s look at some of these solutions below.
DIY Method: Tighten Loose Fixtures
If your gutter has any loose parts, they are bound to rattle or clang during high winds or a rainstorm. Often this noise is loud enough for you to hear it inside your home, which is certainly annoying.
If your gutter is rattling, inspect it for any loose parts. There may be a loose screw throughout the length of your gutter or spout or a loose bracket that can be easily tightened, solving the issues. This is the cheapest DIY method as you’ll only need a ladder and screwdriver to take care of the problem. I recommend regularly inspecting your gutters twice a year to check if there are any loose hangers, so you can stop this problem before it starts.
DIY Method: Caulk & Rope Trick
One of the best DIY methods for quieting gutters and downspout noise is with two materials you likely already have on hand: caulk and rope.
I recommend choosing a nylon rope about three-eighths of an inch thick in diameter for this job. To complete this DIY hack, simply squirt seaming caulk around the drain opening of your gutter. Leave a one-fourth-inch gap.
Next, use more caulking material to attach the nylon rope beside the gap. Drop the rope down the gutter so it falls out the opening. Then, use more caulk to connect it to the bend in the gutter’s elbow.
This solves noisy water falling through your gutter system by directing the water down the rope, rather than noisy water hitting the gutter’s elbow. Just be sure that the water streaming down the rope doesn’t negatively impact your landscaping. If you see water pooling underneath the rope, consider placing a rain system or a ground gutter system underneath to redirect the water away from your home’s foundation.
DIY Method: Rain Chain
The easiest way to quiet a noisy downspout or gutter is to attach a rain chain. Rain chains are common alternatives to downspouts in Japan because they are quiet and decorative.
For this option, remove your gutter downspout completely and install a beautiful rain chain. The rain chain will hang from your gutter, allowing water to flow and move down the length of the rain chain. Any noise produced will sound like steady rainfall rather than an irritating rattling or dripping noise.
Keep in mind that while rain chains make a great decor option and can help quiet your gutters, they are not built to handle exceptionally heavy rains. Be sure that your gutters are in proper working order and free of gutter clogs if you live in an area that receives a lot of precipitation, so that the rain chain can work properly.
DIY Method: Sponge
A common hack for quieting your gutters is stuffing a large sponge at the bottom of the downspout to absorb water as it falls through the drain. While this can be a great temporary fix, the problem is the sponge will eventually grow mold.
As the water falls through the sponge, it becomes stagnant, increasing the risk of mold, which is a health hazard for you and your family. I recommend only using this as a quick, overnight fix while you address the greater problem.
Replace Your Gutter Entirely
If you live in an area with high winds and heavy rains, or even frequent hurricanes, such as along the Atlantic coast or the Gulf of Mexico, you may need a stronger gutter to handle heavy rainfall and downpours. Look for a gutter with a higher capacity for heavy rain and large roofs, or check out our guide on how to prepare your gutters for hurricanes and other heavy storms.
You may simply have a gutter that is too weak to handle the amount of rain your home receives.
Regardless of where you live, you may also want to consider replacing the metal elbow near the bottom of the downspout. Replace it with a lighter material, like plastic tubing or vinyl. These are typically inexpensive choices and can get rid of that aggravating “plinking” noise that water makes against metal. Seamless gutter installation may also reduce the noise of your gutter and prevent water damage from runoff pooling near your home.
Consider reaching out to your local gutter professionals to get a quote for how much it would cost to replace your gutters or the metal elbow for a quieter experience. If your area has heavy rainfall or high winds, a home improvement professional’s opinion can be beneficial since you may need a more specific, heavy-duty gutter installed to get rid of the noise. If the cost of hiring a professional is off-putting, take a look at our DIY guide for installing or replacing gutters.
Final Thoughts
Nobody wants to listen to a rattling noise while trying to relax at night. I hope this piece gave you some great ideas for different DIY steps you can take to silence your gutters and downspouts once and for all.
If all else fails, I do recommend reaching out to a professional in your area for advice on your gutter problems. They may be able to help with a simple fix by adjusting the gutter so it’s more securely fixed to your home or replacing the downspout with one made with a less noisy material than metal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Noisy Gutters and Downspouts
Are noisy gutters and downspouts a sign of damage or poor installation?
Yes, noisy gutters and downspouts can indicate that your house’s drainage system is damaged, either due to a loose gutter or broken hanger. It could also indicate that the pitch of your gutters is not correct. This can result in excessive rainwater runoff that goes towards your home.
Can improper downspout placement cause noisy water flow?
Yes, improperly placed downspouts can result in excessive noise because the water may not drain properly or in the right direction. Regular inspections and maintenance of your gutters can make sure all of your gutter channels and downspouts are placed correctly.
How do I fix whistling or howling sounds coming from my gutters?
Whistling or howling gutters can be the result of damaged gutters which are not properly attached to your house’s exterior. Tightening fasteners is one way to address this issue.
Which gutter materials are quieter?
Plastic or vinyl gutters tend to be much quieter than metal gutters. This is because vinyl gutters absorb sound better. However, gutters made from this type of material are less durable and don’t last as long as metal gutters.
