What is a Downspout?

Full definition

A downspout (sometimes called a 'leader' or 'rain pipe') is the vertical pipe attached to the outside of a building that carries rainwater from the gutter down to ground level. Standard residential downspouts are rectangular 2x3 inches or 3x4 inches, or round 3-inch diameter.

Downspouts attach to the gutter at a drop outlet (a cutout in the gutter bottom) and discharge through an elbow at the ground level. They should always be extended at least 5 feet from the foundation to prevent water from saturating the soil at the foundation perimeter.

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