Most homeowners understand the importance of gutters and downspouts and know the basics of how they work and how to maintain a gutter system. But often downspout extensions are overlooked. They are a simple device designed to guide water further away from the foundation of a house. Downspout extenders can be added to an existing gutter system, either as a DIY project or by a professional gutter technician.
Reasons to install downspout extensions.
When a gutter system doesn’t meet proper drainage expectations, downspout extensions provide a cost-effective way to protect your home’s exterior. Reasons to install downspout extenders include:
- Reduces the risk of damage to the foundation
- Reduces the risk of basement flooding
- Prevents water damage to the siding
- Prevents water damage to interior walls
- Saves landscaping from being waterlogged
When you should install a downspout extender.
You should install downspout extensions if your home’s exterior is experiencing any of the following conditions:
- Downspouts deposit water too close of exterior walls – pooling runoff
- Runoff is being deposited onto a neighbour’s property
- Ground slope around the house pushes water toward the foundation instead of away from it
- Damage to landscaping – oversaturation washes topsoil away, leaving compacted earth resistant to absorption
Downspout extensions solve problems caused by runoff not being guided from the roof and gutters to a safe distance from the house.
There are different types of extenders.
There are four main types of above-ground extenders designed for a specific purpose or function. Choose the one that will provide the best solution for you and your home’s exterior.
Flexible: Flexible downspout extensions are made of malleable material. They have an accordion surface. Flexible extenders can be moved around corners, across a pathway, etc.
Fixed: Constructed of metal or vinyl, fixed downspout extenders resemble a section of downpipe that is attached horizontally to the bottom downspout elbow. The length of the extension can be customized to deposit runoff into a flowerbed or to water a row of shrubs.
Hinged: A hinged extension is typically made of metal or vinyl. It is like a fixed downspout extender but it has a hinged mechanism that connects the pipe to the downspout elbow so that it can be folded up out of the way when it’s not raining. Hinged extensions are useful in high traffic areas, when mowing the lawn, or making more room for backyard get-togethers.
Automatic: There are essentially two types of automatic extenders. Roll-out extensions a made of plastic, fill up at the top when it starts to rain, and roll out as the water filters down, then retracting once the rain has stopped. The second kind of automatic extensions resemble a hinged extender, but lowers automatically as it interacts with the rain and returns to its upright position after the rainfall.
Tips for choosing the right downspout extensions for your home.
Downspout extensions are available in plastic vinyl, aluminum, and galvanized steel. The type of extender will determine the material. For example, a roll-up downspout extender is made of plastic.
The length of extensions should be long enough to deposit water at least five feet away from the house.
Metals generally last longer than plastics. If wear and tear is going to be an issue choose a type of downspout extension made of aluminum or galvanized steel that will last longer.
Before purchasing an extension, determine what you want it to do – get out of your way when tending to the lawn; not deposit runoff on to the driveway; or make room for kicking around a soccer ball.