How do you use downspout extenders to protect your home’s foundation?
A downspout extender is a device attached to the end of a downspout to redirect rainwater away from the foundation of a house. Doing this can help protect your home’s foundation from the damaging effects of water saturation.
You can use downspout extenders to protect your home’s foundation in a few different ways. One way is to extend the downspout to drain water further away from the foundation. Another way is to install a splash block at the end of the downspout, which will cause the water to flow away from the foundation in a sheet instead of drops. You can also use both methods to ensure maximum protection for your home’s foundation.
Downspout extenders are usually mainly of two types: The rigid extender and the accordion extender. The rigid extender is a straight, hollow pipe attached to the end of the downspout. The accordion extender is a series of connected panels that fold up when not in use and can be extended to various lengths. When deciding between these two, it’s important to understand which does what and, more importantly, things that one does not do and the other does. The rigid extender is great for directing water far away from the house but is not so great when it comes to giving the homeowner the ability to store it away since it is a single, straight piece. On the other hand, the accordion extender is much more versatile since it can be extended to different lengths and easily stored away when not in use. It is also important to remember that downspout extenders are not permanent solutions and should be inspected regularly to ensure they are still in good working condition.
No matter which type of downspout extender you choose, you must ensure you get the best value for money. Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting a downspout extender and why it matters so much:
The size of the downspout: This is important because you need to ensure that the extender you choose is compatible with the size of your downspout. If it is too small, it will not be able to redirect the water away from your foundation properly, and if it is too large, it will be difficult to install and could cause damage to your home’s exterior.
The material: Downspout extenders are usually made from either plastic or metal. Plastic is generally more affordable but is not as durable as metal. Metal is more expensive but will last longer and withstand heavy rains better.
The style: As mentioned before, there are two main downspout extenders – rigid and accordion. Rigid extenders are straight and cannot be adjusted, while accordion extenders are made up of connected panels that can be extended to different lengths. Choose the style that best suits your needs.
Once you have the downspout for your needs, it’s time to install the downspout extender. But how do you go about doing that? The first step is to determine where you want the water to be redirected away from your foundation. Once you have done that, you can mark the spot and cut a hole in the downspout using a hacksaw. Next, slide the downspout extender over the end of the downspout and secure it in place with screws or zip ties. Finally, test the downspout extender to ensure that it properly redirects water away from your foundation.
How do downspout extenders work to protect your foundation?
One of the reasons why downspout extenders are a massive requirement for homes with foundation problems is their ability to direct water further away from the foundation. By doing this, you’re essentially reducing the amount of hydrostatic pressure that’s being put on your foundation walls, which will help to prevent any further damage from occurring.
Another way that downspout extenders protect your foundation is by installing a splash block at the end of the downspout. A splash block is a piece of material (usually concrete) placed at the end of a downspout to ensure that water flows away from your home in a sheet instead of drops. The splash block will help to reduce erosion around your foundation and will also help to keep water from seeping into any cracks or crevices that might be present.
In addition, downspout extenders can also help to reduce the amount of water that’s allowed to pool around your foundation. By directing water away from your home, you’re essentially preventing it from being able to seep into any cracks or crevices and causing further damage.
Downspout extenders are a simple, effective, and affordable way to protect your home’s foundation from water damage. If you’re worried about the state of your foundation, then be sure to install downspout extenders as soon as possible to prevent any further damage from occurring. If you are having trouble doing it yourself, professional foundation repair companies would be more than happy to assist you.