By Robert P. Baker
Have you ever had a problem with water backing up from a downspout clogged with debris and seeping into or eroding the soil around the foundation of your residential or commercial building? If so, help is at hand because Jim Hurtado, owner of a design and build company based in Fanwood, has been granted a U.S. patent for an easy-to-use device that can prevent this from ever happening again.
“Most residential and commercial buildings have rainwater collection systems that consist of gutters and downspouts designed to collect rainwater coming off the roof and channel it away from the foundation of the building,” Hurtado explains. “In residential areas, the water is directed toward sewers. From the roof of a large residential or commercial building, it may flow into an underground dry well or above ground holding pond.”
The problem arises when leaves, tree droppings and windblown litter caught in the gutters are not cleaned out regularly and clog the downspout, preventing water from flowing through it and causing it to back up, overflow the gutters and cascade down the walls of the building. When water reaches the ground in this manner, it can cause severe soil erosion, exposing the foundation of the building to damage.
“The task of climbing ladders and cleaning gutters is not only time consuming but can also be dangerous,” says Hurtado. “Some people try to eliminate the need for constant cleaning by putting a trap at the top of the downspout, but the problem is that they still need to climb a ladder to unclog the trap. My invention is a combination debris trap/overflow port that can be installed at waist height for easy access, permitting quick and easy removal of the debris.”
The key to the success of the system is an overflow port that diverts water backing up in the downspout away from the building before it can reach and overflow the gutters. “The debris can be easily removed simply by opening the waist height access panel to reach the strainer,” says Hurtado. “There is no need to climb a ladder to reach a strainer located at the top of the downspout because there is no longer any need for a strainer at the top of the downspout. And because the device can be fabricated from PVC and a few machined parts, it is very affordable.”
Hurtado is uniquely qualified to invent such a device by virtue of his training and experience. “I have a BS in architecture from New York Institute of Technology and an MS in facilities management from Pratt Institute,” he explains. “My experience includes everything from corporate to retail to high end residential and commercial projects.”
Over the years, Hurtado has earned an enviable reputation for implementing strategies to reduce costs and optimize space for his clients. As an example, he cites the case of a couple whose home needed substantial renovation. “By encouraging them to salvage part of the building and the original foundation, I was able to save them a substantial amount of money,” he said. “By keeping part of the existing structure, I was also able to obtain the necessary permits more quickly and save the homeowners money on labor and materials as well as a new real estate tax assessment.”
Because Hurtado does not have the facilities to manufacture his patented device, his plan is to license the technology to a qualified manufacturer. “There is a huge mass market for such a device,” he says. “I welcome inquiries from anyone interested in discussing licensing.”
