Are you tired of dealing with overflowing gutters after heavy rain? Are puddles on the ground around your home causing a problem? If so, you may want to consider extending your gutter downspout. Extending your downspout away from the house can help reduce moisture and potential damage to soil and buildings in its path due to runoff water.
What is a downspout?
Gutters exist to protect our homes. Without them, the water drips off the edge of the roof eave, falls straight down, and damages our foundations, siding, and more. When the gutters collect that rainwater, it needs to exit the gutter system several feet away from the home. That’s the job of a downspout. Source: ThisOldHouse
Why have it extended?
There are several good reasons to extend gutter downspouts. First and foremost, it can help keep your gutter system maintained so it runs efficiently. In addition, extending downspouts helps to reduce the chances of your home being damaged. It prevents water from accumulating near the structure of the house. As a result, the basement is less likely to be flooded during a storm and the home’s foundation is better protected. Also, when you extend gutter downspouts, you help to prevent landscaping issues since water doesn’t get the opportunity to ruin plants and cause soil erosion. Source: Modernize
Types of gutter downspout extension
Before you extend your gutter downspouts, you’ll first need to decide which type of gutter downspout extension will work best for your home. Below are some of the most common gutter downspout extension types to help you make your choice:
– Aluminum gutter downspout extensions: These extensions are popular due to their affordability and ease of installation. The only downsides to aluminum downspout extensions are how they can detract from your curb appeal and how difficult it can be to maneuver a lawn mower around them.
– Underground downspout extensions:Underground or buried drain pipes require more elbow grease, but they’re more effective at diverting water from your home without detracting from your curb appeal or hindering your yard work every time you take out the lawn mower.
– Splash blocks: An easy way to redirect water from flowing toward your home is by placing a splash block underneath your downspout. These rectangular, long channels extend the range of your downspout so that water steers clear from your house.
– Rain barrels:Though technically not a gutter downspout extension, rain barrels also serve a similar purpose to your typical downspout extensions— only, they give you an eco-friendly method for collecting rainwater and using it during those hot summer droughts. Source: Angi
If you can’t decide which type of extension to use, call us! We can help you pick the best suited for your budget and needs.
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
