Best Overall
Spectra Ground Spout Universal Downspout Extension
Best Bang for the Buck
Amerimax Flex-A-Spout Downspout Extension
Best Low-Profile
Amerimax StealthFlow Downspout Extension Kit
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Unless your downspouts direct body of water to a plaza that slopes away from your family ’s foundation , your gutter are n’t really doing their job . When water is pool around your rainwater gutter downspout or draining back toward your home , you ’ll involve a downspout extension to fix the problem . These subway - shaped structures extend your downspout opening 2 feet or more from the foundation of your plate . Many of these extenders are flexible , allowing you to snake them around landscape gardening . Plus , they come in a variety of colouring material to flux with their surroundings , be it mulch or grass .
I tested five dissimilar extenders on my house and my favorite was theSpectra Ground Spout UniversalDownspout Extensionwith its 4 - foot length , indestructible expression , and ability to maneuver around bushes and other landscape gardening . scan on to find out more about this gutter extender as well as the other manikin I tested .
Our Top Picks
I tested all the downspout extenders below . Each execute well and most fit varioustypes of trough .
Our Ratings : Installation5/5 ; Stability4/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
Spectra ranked the knotty out of all thegutterextenders I tested . It ’s made from a heavyset grade of PVC charge plate that reject to heave even when applying most of my body weightiness to the top of it . This stout design makes it a swell choice for downspouts that empty onto the lawn or other spots that see mower and foot dealings .
As with the other flexible downspout extenders I test , it work with both downspout size . And since it expend a elementary adaptor that fits over one end to switch over between sizes , there ’s no want to make deletion . It is one of the shorter downspouts , measuring just under 4 feet , so you ’ll want an extension for this extender for longer runs .
Get the Spectra downspout extension atLowe’sorThe Home Depot .
Our Ratings : Installation5/5 ; Stability5/5 ; Effectiveness4.5/5 ; Durability2/5 ; Value5/5
Amerimax is a heavy budget option as long as you keep it by from feet and automobile . The Flex - A - Spout , like most extenders , is compatible with both 3 - inch - long by 2 - in - across-the-board and 4 - inch - long by 3 - in - wide downspouts . It ’s bendable and extends nearly 5 foot foresighted . And unlike some , it does n’t require you to make cut to bind it to the larger spout size . It also come in five coloring options , more than any other extender I tested .
But while the size and color options give it versatility , I was a little disappointed with its build timbre . The Flex - A - Spout has perceptibly thinner PVC than the other downspouts . It crushed well when I apply weight to the top of it , causing some of its seams to split . While this may not matter if the downspout is in landscaping where it ’s protect from foot and lawn mower , it ’s not a practiced option for high - dealings area .
Get the Amerimax Flex - A - Spout downspout extension atAmazon , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Our military rank : Installation4/5 ; Stability4.5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value4/5
The orotund tube shape of most sewer downspout extension can make these utilitarian devices difficult to hide . The StealthFlow is an exception . It use a wide level tube that value just a couple of inches stocky , making it gentle to conceal . I had an easier sentence veil it under planting and shrubs than other large electron tube - shaped extenders I tested .
The flat vacuum tube is n’t just low visibility ; it ’s also tough . I was able to stand on it with both feet without crushing it and even flap over it with a lawn mower . And while it is n’t especially long , you could purchase various sizeextension piecesto make it as long as you involve . The Amerimax was also easy to put in on my 3 - inch - long by 2 - inch - widegutters . It does command cutting if you have the larger 4 - inch - long by 3 - inch - wide downspout sizing .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
There are a few compromises with the StealthFlow . It ’s more expensive than most downspout extenders . The matte section is n’t flexible and is narrow than other extenders , make it more susceptible to clogging , though I did n’t experience any during testing . Still , if you do n’t havegutter guardsand your downspouts are susceptible to clogs , you may have problems with the StealthFlow .
Get the Amerimax StealthFlow downspout extension atAmazonorThe Home Depot .
Best Length
Gutterlix Flexible Gutter Downspout Extensions
Our rating : Installation4/5 ; Stability4/5 ; Effectiveness5/5 ; Durability5/5 ; Value5/5
Gutterlix makes the longest rain gutter downspout extension I tested with a easy lay length of some 67 inch , several foot longer than other likewise priced downspout extenders . I loved the length mate with its flexile aim , which made it easy to meander around planting . It ’s a bang-up pick if you require to extend your downspout a long way or work around obstacles .
The Gutterlix is gentle to install with two adaptor that wind onto the pipe to fit both downspout sizes . And while the Gutterlix is n’t the toughest downspout extender I tested — it only hold up to about 10 pounds of weightiness before cave in — it was n’t the feeble either .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the Gutterlix downspout university extension atAmazon .
Also Consider
Amerimax Dripper Flipper Downspout Extension
Our paygrade : Installation5/5 ; Stability5/5 ; Effectiveness4/5 ; Durability4/5 ; Value5/5
The Amerimax Dripper Flipper is a departure from accordion tube – shaped extensions with its subject vinyl group tray intent . During examination , it was easy to put in and good at directing water supply aside from the house . It ’s also more attractive than the thermionic tube - form extenders I tested , which make it ideal for spots where the extender is run to be more visible .
And with its clear tray way , it ’s easy to brighten any debris that gather up on it . That state , it ’s restrain in use . It does n’t twist into unlike guidance , only suit 3 - inch - long by 2 - inch - wide downspouts , and extends just 2 feet . That say , it ’s a great alternative if all you need is to cover your downspout straight out for a couple of feet and do n’t care the utilitarian feeling of tube - shaped extenders .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
Get the Amerimax Dripper Flipper downspout filename extension atThe Home Depot , Amazon , orWalmart .
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Downspout Extensions
I test five of the top downspout filename extension by installing them on downspouts around my rest home . After instal each extension , I impart it in place for a week . During this meter , I meet several ponderous rainfall , during which I evaluated how well each extender worked , checking for any leaks at the connection item while observing how well each one ameliorate downspout drainage . I also considered durability , testing how well I could crush or crack each downspout by apply force to it .
Finally , I also considered aesthetics , evaluating how well each downspout intermingle into the beleaguer landscape gardening . After assessing the performance of each file name extension , I deliberate value by factoring in Leontyne Price .
What to Consider When Choosing a Downspout Extension
While many downspout extensions may take care similar , they can vary importantly in bod tone , distance , and colour alternative .
Durability
All downspout extensions are made from polythene , which is a common charge card used to make pliant bottles and container . When choosing a downspout extension , it ’s significant to pay attention to the material heaviness . Gutter extenders made from thicker heavy - duty polythene will resist cracking ; oblige up to hurt from mowers , drawstring trimmers , and metrical foot ; and tolerate the component well than those made from thinner plastic .
Length
Gutter downspout extenders usually come in accordionlike shapes that permit you to modify their length by extending and retracting them . They can tramp in length from 2 feet up to 5 metrical unit , and most can also be linked together to make even longer extensions . When find which length to buy , measure the distance from the downspout to the airless tip that slopes out from your foot . Be sure to calculate for any landscaping you ’ll need to crop around when mensurate .
Shape and Color
Most downspout extension phone consist of long round metro with a satisfying ending designed to go around both common downspout sizes . This tube-shaped structure is usually flexible , give you more exemption to direct rain flowing through the downspout where you want it to go , whether it ’s around landscaping or to a nearbyrain barrel . Some downspout extenders have a flat form , which make them easier to enshroud in landscaping or less susceptible to damage from lawn mower . Most downspout extenders also fall in various color , admit black , brown , white , or greenish , to match the color of the downspout or mix with the surrounding landscape gardening .
Tips for Installing a Downspout Extension
When put in a downspout extension , take off by measuring the size of your downspout . It will be either 3 inches farseeing by 2 in wide or 4 inches foresighted by 3 inches wide of the mark . Use the connection that comes with the extension . Some extenders require cutting to conform to them to the downspout . skid the extender over the end of the downspout . Depending on the case of extension , you may need to remove the downspout elbow to attach the extension . To make a safe connection , use two screws to connect the extender to the downspout . The head of a downspout file name extension is to keep water from build up around the foundation , so ensure the downspout empty in an country slosh away from your household .
FAQs
You might still have enquiry about downspout extension . Check out the most normally asked questions , and their answers , below to assist you pick out the good model for your needs .
Flexible downspout extensions work well for directing water out from your home ’s foundation . They ’re a not bad choice if you call for to work the prolongation around landscaping or lineal weewee in a different guidance that the downspout is facing . Just verify to keep yourgutters cleanto preclude the extensions from constipate .
character A and case B refers to the elbow used on the downspout . eccentric A downspouts have elbows that angle the downspout out frontwards . A eccentric B downspout uses an elbow that angles the downspout to either the left-hand or correct .
Photo: Tony Carrick for Bob Vila
The standard space downspouts should extend away from the house is 4 foot , though you may need to extend it further depending on the type of grime you have and the gradient of the scaling around your home ’s foundation .
Meet the Tester
Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement , landscaping , engineering science , home security , and design . His articles have been featured on such situation as Popular Mechanics , Pro Tools Review , CNN Underscored , Popular Science , and more . Carrick has impart rigorous product examination on everything from power prick to home plate security organization to backyard grillroom . Having deal with drain number around his house , he ’s familiar with how important gutters are to protecting a dwelling house ’s founding .
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