Ethan Clarke
Gutters and downspouts are essential for protecting your home from water damage and structural issues. However, standard gutter downspouts may not carry water far enough, leading to flooding, foundation cracks, and soil erosion. This is where downspout extensions come in. These attachments extend from the bottom of the downspout, carrying rainwater further away from your home. While some extensions simply slide over the bottom portion of the downspout, others, like underground drainage systems, require more complex installations. In this article, we will discuss the different types of downspout extensions available and provide a step-by-step guide on how to attach a plastic gutter extension to ensure proper water drainage and protect your home.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To prevent water from pooling around the home's foundation, which can cause basement flooding, foundation cracks, and soil erosion. |
| Types | Above-ground extensions, underground extensions, flipper extenders (hinge extenders), flexible extenders, decorative downspout extenders, aluminium extensions, plastic extenders, roll-out sleeves, underground drainage systems |
| Installation Process | Digging a trench, laying pipe lengths and fittings, installing a starter elbow, installing an adapter, backfilling, connecting to the gutter with an adapter or connector |
| Materials | PVC pipes, PVC elbows, T-fittings, adapters, couplings, specialty fittings, PVC primer, PVC cement, drainage pipe, shovel, string, stakes, cardboard |
| Maintenance | Inspect at least twice a year, clear clogs with a plumber's snake or garden hose, prevent freezing with heat tape or by burying pipes below the frost line |
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What You'll Learn
Planning the trench
Identify the Soil Type and Slope:
Before beginning any digging, it's important to assess the soil type and incline of the slope around your home. If you have loose, sandy soil and the slope is directed towards your house, rainwater will easily pool around your foundation. Therefore, it is essential to extend your downspouts and consider installing underground drain pipes.
Mark the Trench Line:
Start by placing stakes in the ground to mark the trench line. Place two stakes about 4 feet from the house, directly in front of the downspout. Then, add additional stakes spaced 8 feet apart along the planned route of the trench. Tie a string to the downspout and stretch it around all the stakes to create a clear path. You can sprinkle flour or use marking paint along the string to make the trench line more visible.
Digging the Trench:
The ease of digging the trench will depend on the type of soil and the tools you use. If you have rocky soil, it will be more challenging to dig. You can choose to dig manually with a shovel or rent a trenching machine or hire a backhoe operator for faster and more efficient digging. Ensure the trench is at least 10 inches deep, and angle it away from the house with a slight downward slope. Save the dirt as you will need some of it to bury the drainage pipe.
Choose the Right Drainage Pipe:
You can opt for flexible drainage piping if you need to avoid obstacles like trees or patios. Alternatively, use rigid piping with a 90-degree elbow to connect to the downspout adapter. Perforated drainage pipes can also be used to distribute water evenly over areas that need irrigation, such as your lawn.
Install the Pipe and Backfill:
Lay the drainage pipe in the trench, attaching one end to the existing gutter downspout using the adapter. If using a rigid pipe, include the 90-degree elbow in the connection. Once the pipe is installed, backfill the trench by refilling it with the dirt you saved earlier.
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Gathering materials
Gutter downspouts are essential to protect your home from water damage and structural issues. However, standard gutter downspouts may not carry water far enough, leading to basement flooding, foundation cracks, and soil erosion. The solution is to install downspout extensions, which come in various types, including above-ground and underground extensions. Before gathering materials for your project, it is crucial to understand the type of extension you need and the length required.
- Drainage Pipes: Choose flexible drainage pipes if you need to avoid obstacles like trees or patios. Perforated drainage pipes can be used to distribute water evenly for irrigation purposes. Ensure you select pipes that are at least 4 inches in diameter.
- Elbows and Connectors: You will need 90-degree elbows to connect the drainage pipe to the downspout adapter, especially if you are using rigid pipes. PVC elbows are also necessary for underground pipe installations.
- Adapters: Adapters are crucial for connecting the drainage pipe to the existing gutter downspout.
- T-fittings and Couplings: These fittings enable you to connect various pipe sections together.
- PVC Primer and Cement: These materials are essential for gluing all the PVC parts together.
- Tools for Digging: Shovels or trenching machines are required for digging the trench. If you opt for a trenching machine, ensure you specify a 12-inch bucket to avoid damaging your landscape.
- String and Stakes: String and stakes are used to outline the trench path. Place two stakes at least 4 feet from the house, directly in front of the downspout, and add additional stakes every 8 feet.
- Plastic Extenders: Flat plastic extenders are a good option as they have a low profile and pose less of a tripping hazard than other types.
- Other Materials: Don't forget to have some flour or marking paint to make the trench line visible. Additionally, you will need extra soil or backfill to bury the drainage pipe.
Remember to purchase 10% to 15% more materials to account for any unforeseen issues or mistakes during the installation process.
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Digging the trench
Digging a trench is the first step in installing an underground gutter extension. This process will vary in complexity depending on the length of the trench, the type of soil, and the tools you are using.
Before you begin, you should lay out the trench using string and 1x2 stakes. Place two stakes 4 feet from the house directly in front of the downspout, then add additional stakes every 8 feet along the planned route. Tie a string to the downspout and stretch it around the stakes. You can use flour or marking paint to make the trench line visible. Before digging, place cardboard along the edge of the trench line to avoid damaging your landscape.
If you are digging in rocky soil, the process will be more difficult. You can dig by hand using a shovel, or you can rent a trenching machine or hire a backhoe operator to do the job more quickly. If you hire an operator, request that they use only a 12-inch trenching bucket to avoid damaging your landscape.
The trench should be at least 10 inches deep, with a slight slope downward from the foundation. Save the dirt as you will need some of it to bury the drainage pipe. The finished trench should be at least 10 feet long.
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Laying the pipes
Planning the Trench:
Before you begin digging, it's important to plan the route of your trench. Place stakes in the ground to outline the path. Position two stakes about 4 feet from the house, directly in front of the downspout. Then, place additional stakes approximately 8 feet apart along the desired route. Tie a string to the downspout and stretch it around all the stakes to create a clear guide for your trench. You can use flour or marking paint along the string to make the trench line more visible.
Digging the Trench:
The depth and angle of your trench are important considerations. The trench should be at least 10 inches deep, and you can angle it slightly downward from the foundation to facilitate water flow. If you're digging in rocky soil, the process will be more challenging, and you may want to consider renting a trenching machine or hiring a backhoe operator to assist with this step. Remember to save the dirt as you'll need some of it later to bury the drainage pipe.
Now it's time to lay the drainage pipes in the trench. For this step, you'll need PVC pipes, elbows, adapters, and other fittings. Attach one end of the pipe to the existing gutter downspout using an adapter and, if needed, a 90-degree elbow for rigid pipes. Ensure that the pipes are angled slightly downward to promote water flow. Use PVC primer and cement to glue all the parts together securely.
Backfilling:
Once you've laid and secured the pipes, you'll need to backfill the trench. Use the dirt you saved from digging to bury the pipes, ensuring they are securely covered. This step will help protect the pipes and maintain the aesthetics of your yard.
Remember, the length and complexity of your extension will determine the amount of material needed, so it's always a good idea to purchase a little extra to account for any unforeseen issues or mistakes. By carefully following these steps, you'll be able to effectively lay the pipes for your gutter extension, protecting your home from water damage and maintaining a well-functioning drainage system.
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Backfilling
Gutter downspouts are essential for protecting your home from water damage. They collect rainwater and runoff from melting snow from your roof and direct it away from your exterior trim and foundation. However, standard gutter downspouts may not carry water far enough, and water can pool around your home's foundation, leading to basement flooding, foundation cracks, and soil erosion. This is where downspout extensions come in—they enhance your gutter system by relocating runoff further away from your home.
Now, let's talk about the process of attaching a plastic gutter extension, specifically focusing on the backfilling step:
Once the trench is filled, you can replace any sod or landscaping materials that were removed during the digging process. At the end of your drainage system, create an exit point for the water by digging a wide, shallow hole. Line this area with flat rocks or a layer of gravel to help disperse the water and prevent erosion. Lay the end of your pipe on this bed, then cover it with additional rocks or gravel.
Underground extensions offer a permanent and aesthetically pleasing solution to managing downspout runoff. However, they are more complex to install than above-ground extensions, and you may need to obtain permission from your municipality before installation.
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Frequently asked questions
Gutter downspout extensions are additions to your gutter system that help carry water further away from your home. They are necessary because standard gutter downspouts may not carry water far enough, causing water to pool around your home's foundation and leading to basement flooding, foundation cracks, and soil erosion.
There are several types of gutter downspout extensions available, including above-ground and underground extensions. Above-ground extensions are attachments that sit above ground and extend from the bottom of the downspout. They are easy to install and can be found at most hardware stores. Underground extensions involve burying PVC pipes to carry water away from the house, offering more discreet drainage. They are more difficult to install as they require digging trenches.
To install an above-ground plastic gutter downspout extension, you will need to purchase an extension that fits the size of your gutter. Many affordable options, such as roll-out sleeves and plastic extenders, simply slide over the bottom portion of your downspout and may have a simple connector or adapter to keep them attached.
To install an underground gutter downspout extension, you will need a drainage pipe, PVC elbows, T-fittings, adapters, couplings, and specialty fittings to connect the pipe sections. You will also need PVC primer and cement to glue the parts together. The installation process involves three main phases: digging a trench, laying the pipes, and backfilling. First, create an outline for your trench using string and stakes, ensuring it is at least 10 inches deep. Then, dig the trench, lay the pipes, and connect them using the necessary fittings. Finally, backfill the trench to cover the pipes.
To maintain your gutter downspout extensions, it is important to inspect them at least twice a year, in spring and fall. Observe how water flows through the system during heavy rainfall to ensure it is working properly. Regularly clean your gutters or consider investing in a gutter guard system to prevent clogs caused by leaves, twigs, or debris. If you live in a colder climate, freezing can be a concern. While burying pipes below the frost line is ideal, it may not always be practical. Consider using heat tape in problem areas or temporarily disconnecting above-ground sections during the coldest months.
