Hinged downspout extensions are a mixed bag, honestly. They’re handy if you’re tired of crawling around in the mud to move them before mowing, but I wouldn’t say they magically make clogs disappear. Still, better than wrestling with those rigid ones every time it rains sideways.
I’ve tried those hinged extensions on a few properties, and yeah, they’re a step up from the old rigid ones—at least you’re not tripping over them every time you mow. Still, I’ve found they can get knocked loose if you’re not careful. What’s helped me more is adding mesh gutter guards up top. They’re not perfect, but they cut down on the leaf sludge big time. Once a season, I just pop them off and hose everything out. Not glamorous, but it beats dealing with a flooded basement.
Mesh guards are a decent compromise, but I’ve seen plenty of folks get a false sense of security from them. They’ll keep out the big stuff, sure, but fine debris and shingle grit still find their way in. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve popped off a guard and found a nice layer of sludge hiding underneath. Doesn’t take much to clog a downspout, especially if you’ve got maples or pines nearby.
Hinged extensions are handy for mowing, but I agree—if you don’t secure them well, they’ll get knocked loose or even go missing after a storm. I’ve seen more than one extension end up halfway down the block after a windy night. If you’re set on using them, a couple of self-tapping screws can help keep them in place, but then you lose the “easy to move” part.
Honestly, nothing beats getting up there once or twice a year and clearing things out by hand. Not glamorous, like you said, but it’s the only way to really know what’s going on. I’ve seen some folks try those foam inserts or “gutter brushes”—they just end up trapping more gunk and making things worse. If you’re in a heavily wooded area, sometimes it’s just the price of admission.
One thing I do recommend is checking the slope of your gutters while you’re up there. Even a slight sag can cause water to pool and speed up the leaf soup process. A quick adjustment with a level and some new hangers can make a big difference. And if you’re dealing with chronic overflow, sometimes upsizing the downspouts is worth the hassle.
At the end of the day, it’s all about regular maintenance. There’s no magic fix—just a little sweat equity and maybe a good pair of gloves.
I learned the hard way that those gutter brushes are a waste—pulled one out last fall and it was basically a compost log. I’m with you on just getting up there and scooping it out. Not fun, but at least I know what’s in there. I tried mesh guards too, but after a season of pine needles, they were more trouble than they were worth. Guess I’ll stick with gloves and a bucket for now...
I hear you on the gutter brushes—tried those at a couple of properties and ended up with the same soggy mess. I’ve got a few buildings under big maples, and even mesh guards just seem to trap the gunk in a different way. One year, I thought about hiring a service to do it twice a season, but the cost adds up fast. Has anyone had luck with those foam inserts, or do they just turn into another headache?
