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Downspout extensions are an attachment installed at the end of a downspout to help channel rainwater away from a home.  Whenever your basement is showing signs of leaking walls or even flooding, it is usually the result of a faulty gutter system.  The most common cause of basement leaks is when the downspouts are too close to the home.  The purpose of gutters is to capture the water coming off of your roof, and re-direct (or channel) it from falling around your homes foundation.  If there are no gutters, then the water is able to wash away your foundation and infiltrate your home. That’s why we suggest adding downspout extensions to your gutter system if you are experiencing any basement leak issues.

A rain gutter system is designed to collect and divert rainwater so that it doesn’t cause damage to your roof, siding, foundation and landscape.  But there are cases where the water can’t drain away once it comes out the downspout, and instead pools around the base of your home.

Pooling water can lead to the erosion of your lawns and flowerbeds, flooding of the basement and crawlspaces, and even cause cracks in your foundation.  The extra moisture can also create mold and mildew problems throughout the rest of the house.

Drainage problems can sometimes be solved by placing a splash block at the point where water exits the downspout.  But even splash blocks won’t be enough if:

• • Your area frequently gets large amounts of rain.

  • The contractor did not properly grade the land around the home.

  • Your basement is damp or floods.

TYPES OF DOWNSPOUT EXTENSIONS

There are a few different types of downspout extensions that you can choose from.  Keep in mind that they all perform the same function, moving the water away from the home.

ALUMINUM DOWNSPOUT EXTENSIONS

The aluminum downspout extension is usually just another section of downspout that is added on the bottom elbow.  It runs horizontally and lets out in your yard away from the home.  They rest on the ground.  However, you can also prop them up with other gutter sections if you need to get over any obstacles.  This is a more stationary option. Once these are set in place, there is no moving them for lawn mowing or anything like that.  If you are extending your gutters in a straight line make sure there are no obstructions in the way.

CORRUGATED FLEX PIPE

The corrugated flex pipe is the most common option for downspout extensions.  These are very easy to maneuver any way that you want them.  You can position them anywhere.  You could point this extension to the middle of your yard one da.  Once it gets too saturated from rain, go ahead and position these in another area away from the already soggy spot.

You can even pick these up to mow around and do other landscape tasks.  The only downside for this style, is some dogs might try and chew it up.  For some reason, they think these are toys.  So keep an eye on your pups if you have these.  Corrugated flex pipe comes in a variety of colors and sizes.  Some already have a pre-fitted adapter that attaches right to the end of your downspout, and for others you may need to get a separate adapter and clamp to secure them.  Another thing to note, is that you can get these as long as you need.  Some homes will run these 30-40 ft to take the water all the way out to the street.

• • Flexible. These corrugated plastic pipes are bendable to direct water where it needs to go, such as around bushes.  Adapters can be purchased to connect standard flexible drainage pipes to your downspout for extra-long gutter extensions.  Perforated drainage pipes can also be used to distribute rainwater evenly over areas you need to water.

• • Roll-out. Roll-out extensions automatically roll out when it rains and coil up when water stops coming out of the downspout.  The disadvantage of this type of extension is that it might not extend if the rainfall isn’t heavy enough.

  • Flip-up. These extensions are a section of downspout with a hinge attached so they can be flipped up and out of the way when they aren’t needed.  They are convenient when you need to mow the lawn close to your home without damaging the extension.

Underground Drainage Systems

Underground Drainage Systems are technically an extension of your downspout and gutter syste.  Basically they are Corrugated Flex Pipes or PVC Pipes that are installed underground and lead the water away from your home. They usually lead to the street, sidewalk, or even straight into the sewer system.

Sometimes you need to re-direct the water all the way to the street.  However, having all those pipes above the ground will turn your yard into an obstacle course.  That is why you see a lot of homes with these installed.  They keep the yard from becoming over saturated while keeping the extension pipes hidden from view.

Underground Drainage systems do have their downsides as well.  If you have these, it is highly recommended that you have gutter covers or gutter guards on your gutter covers.  You can’t have any debris getting into these underground pipes, because they are very hard to keep clear.  Furthermore, if you do get underground clogs, that will lead to basement flooding and your yard turning into a swamp.  If your underground drain gets clogged, the only way to fix it, is to use a drain snake to unclog it.  If your underground drain ruptures underground, you are going to need to call a landscaper and it is going to be an expensive repair, so be sure to keep all debris out of your underground drains.

OTHER TYPES OF DOWNSPOUT EXTENSIONS

The above 3 types are the most commonly used types of downspout extensions.  But, there are many other types of extensions that you can purchase at a store or even order online.  Remember, the purpose of these is just to make sure the water goes a few feet from the homes foundation.

SPLASH STONE

You may have seen these around, as they are very very common.  Splash Stones are placed under the downspout and their purpose is to take the water a few feet away from the house. They are very common in gardens or on mulched landscapes, as they prevent the water from digging a hole in your garden.  If your home has mulch around the foundation, these are the suggested way to get the water over that area.

They are generally 2-3 feet long, but can be found in larger sizes.  Splash Stones can be found in many materials, but stone, PVC, and rigid rubber are the top choices.

CONCLUSION

If you are experiencing any types of basement leaks or floods, the first thing you want to make sure of is that your water is draining properly away from your home.  Adding extensions to your downspouts is a relatively cheap way to make sure that your roof run off isn’t washing away your home’s foundation.

Still Have Drainage Problems?

Some homeowners may need systems more elaborate than splash blocks and gutter extensions to deal with rainwater.  You can choose to have your gutters extended down into an underground drainage system or dry well, or even collect the water in a rainwater catchment system for later use.