Exposed Down Spout - RedFlagDeals.com Forums (2025)

Images

Would you consider a rain barrel ?

CDNPatriot wrote: ↑I had two downspouts installed to ensure water is further away from the shed as it was rotting out the wood. I tried some of the plastic extenders but those did not work for us. I’m now wanting to protect these to prevent them from getting banged up by kids or by accident. Any creative ideas? Friend suggested a large pipe. I love humor but would appreciate serious responses only

Those thin wall aluminum channel (downsprouts) are about as soft an empty soda cans. They will get beaten up. A cheap alternative ... White drainage piping (ABS). It's a lot thicker. Your friend wasn't being humourous.

CDNPatriot wrote: ↑Already paid money to install

You either build something around it or replace it with another solution (like underground pipe and a popup emitter).

Simplest solution is to just replace the downspout after a few years when they get nasty, should be a very simple effort as you can usually replace the section from the elbow at ground level protruding along the ground to the yard. I wouldn’t build a box around it as it will likely attract critters to make use of the space between the downspout and larger box or pipe, however i guess that space can be filled up with a heavy caulking or epoxy to solve that issue.

I would ideally consider when you replace the downspout to do so from just above the grade level at the elbow with a rectangle to round adapter, then a round waterproof PVC Type II conduit or similar as that would give the rigidity and durability over time that can withstand the type of abuse of repeated stepping or banging on it with sticks.

Cheers.