Extend Downspouts for Better Home Drainage

By Susan M. Keenan

Gutters are designed to channel the water off your roof. Downspouts are designed to channel the water away from your home. Unfortunately, the water isn't always carried far enough away from the home, and disaster occurs.

If heavy rains and short downspouts are causing the water to pool near the base of your home, then a longer downspout is in order. In fact, if water is seeping in through the foundation of your home already, this is a problem that you want to correct immediately. Water seepage can lead to other problems such as mold, mildew and dry rot.

Fortunately, extending the downspout is an easy and simple remedy. First, you will need to make a few purchases and gather a few tools.

Tools and Materials at a Glance

• Gutter downspout pipe
• Galvanized gutter elbow
• Splash block
• Hacksaw
• Tape measure
• Swing-up gutter elbows (if desired)

Instructions for Extending the Downspout

Purchase a new length of downspout pipe that matches your downspout's appearance. Measure the diameter of your existing downspout to make sure that you get the right size. Also, purchase any of the following that you have decided to use: galvanized gutter elbow, splash block, and swing-up gutter elbow. If you don't already have one, borrow or purchase a hacksaw since you will need it to trim the downspout to size.

If the area where you will be placing your extension does not get a lot of foot traffic, you can add a simple extension of downspout pipe. Use the hacksaw to cut a length from the new section of downspout pipe. Six to 8 feet is probably a good length provided enough room exists. Attach this piece to the existing downspout and use a galvanized gutter elbow to attach it securely.

If you have decided to use a splash block, place it underneath the downspout. Splash blocks help to direct the water onto the lawn. Eventually, you may want to consider placing a permanent splash block underneath the downspout, but a removable downspout allows you to remove it if necessary.

If your existing downspout is located in an area that receives a great deal of foot traffic such as walkways, driveways and patios, you may want to make some special arrangements. Two separate options exist that will easily extend your downspout without limiting walking access to the area.

A roll-up sleeve placed at the end of your existing downspout will sufficiently extend it to allow for drainage away from the home. Roll-up sleeves are perfect for those areas that need to remain uncluttered and free for foot traffic.

The roll-up sleeve will fit snugly on the end of your downspout. When it rains, the sleeve unrolls to allow the gutter and downspout to channel the water away from the roof and foundation of your home. Once it has stopped raining and the water has stopped draining from your roof, the sleeve automatically rolls back up again.

Another option for extending a downspout in an area that needs to remain open is the swing-up elbow. If you install a swing-up elbow to attach your new downspout extension, then you can flip it up and out of the way. When it rains, simply flip the downspout back to the ground to allow the rain to drain away from the home. You can allow the downspout to remain on the ground during any time that the area is not going to be used. For example, if the downspout is located at your patio and you only use the patio during the summer months, the downspout can remain on the ground during the off season. This decreases the number of times that you will need to adjust a swing-up downspout.

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