Virgil Gleason, co-owner of the Vibrant Grains Restaurant in downtown Wayland and a member of the City Planning Commission, recently applied for a patent for his invention of a “Clog Free Automatic Downspout.”

The Clog Free Automatic Downspout is designed to reduce or eliminate one chronic issue in residential roof rain water runoff management, yet it comes with additional benefits.

“Actually my Clog Free Automatic Downspout is just a better mouse trap for many applications,” Gleason explained. “Inspecting thousands of residential properties during the last three decades prompted a few ideas, of which this is one.”

When it rains and the water running from the roof hits the ground it follows and the pathways of least resistance, which is typically the nearest foundation, and can result in seepage, undermining, encourage bugs and mold.

The rule of thumb is that runoff should be deposited no less than four to five feet from the foundation, depending on the grade. Most homes have a section of downspout running about four feet from the house, which works fine until it gets stepped on, run over by lawn care equipment, or clogged with debris.

“My invention reduces or eliminates the problem,” Gleason said. “My invention requires fewer resources to manufacture, ship, install, and maintain. (Think local).”

Versatile enough to mount at any level between the bottom of the gutter and about six inches from the ground, it can be sized for residential, industrial and commercial applications. Reorientation for future landscape, construction or other projects is very simple and requires adjusting only one screw in most cases.

Rain water diverter systems can be realized at lower user costs, Gleason claimed.

“Gutter systems frequently get minor clogs at their exit point, where the gutter empties into a traditional downspout,” he said. “In this case, you must get on a ladder and start cleaning from the top, and or dismantle the system, remove the clog, and reassemble it.”

He said the , while not creating the problem, makes it easy to clean the same clog in the gutter, while standing on the ground, no ladders, no screw drivers or pliers, just a garden hose.

Gleason is a member of a local inventors’ networking group, which will have its next meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Vibrant Grains, 142 S. Main St., Wayland.

PHOTO: Virgil Gleason