Gutters are an essential part of any home’s exterior, especially during seasons when rain tends to be heavy. Gutters are charged with the task of keeping water away from your home where it could cause a great deal of damage. As such, it’s necessary to always make sure your gutters are working properly so that water doesn’t become a problem.
However, aside from regular maintenance and inspections and the installation of various gutter accessories like leaf guards, there are other things you can do with your gutters to ensure that excess rain doesn’t cause headaches. Those things include extending your downspouts for better drainage.
There are actually a number of ways in which you can extend your downspouts. Which you choose will depend on several factors. Such as the location of your house, your landscaping around the house, your budget, and the overall accessibility of the gutters.
Professional gutter installation companies recommend a 4-foot extension to make sure you’re directing all the water safely away from your home. Here are some ways you can make that extension happen.
Use an aluminum extension
– This is probably the easiest and least costly solution for extending your downspout gutters. These extensions can be purchased at a hardware or home improvement store and take just seconds to install. They can, however, be rather unsightly. In addition, they can’t be bent, so you don’t have a choice where to divert the water.
Install splash blocks
– These are rectangular-shaped blocks that are placed at the end of the existing downspout. They further disperse the water that’s flowing from them. They can be very plain or even somewhat decorative. This allows you to better match the exterior of your home. They come in different widths and are generally made of metal or plastic.
Choose roll-out extensions
– Roll-out extensions magically uncoil when heavy rain flows from the roof into the downspouts. The water is then dispersed from small holes in the extensions. When the water stops flowing through them, they roll up again. The caveat with these is that if the rain isn’t heavy enough, they may extend completely or unroll at all. They are also prone to tears after a lot of rolling up and unrolling. Therefore they need to be checked frequently during particularly rainy seasons.
Bury a drainpipe
– Though it’s definitely the most work-intensive option, burying a drainpipe is pretty much a guarantee that the water will stay away from your foundation or basement. You’ll need to dig a trench for this, which can be a bit of a hassle if you decide to DIY it. You’ll also want to make sure the slope is correct and that it ends in a good location. This is to not cause problems with your landscaping or hardscaping.
Use a StealthFlow®
– Consider a product like the StealthFlow®, which connects easily to your downspout and is similar to an aluminum extension but made of plastic. It’s a bit more unobtrusive and the extension can be hidden under mulch, rocks, or other landscaping. That makes it a better choice if you’re concerned about curb appeal. They’re not super expensive and with regular cleaning should last for some time.
Gutters and downspouts that work properly are paramount to protecting your home from water damage. If you don’t think your downspouts are doing the job, considering an extension is a wise move. At Advantage Gutters, we’ll be happy to inspect your gutters and downspouts and recommend the extension solution(s) that may be right for you and your house.
To learn more about your options or to schedule a gutter inspection or maintenance appointment, call us at 604-514-9886.