How do I install a basic downspout extension on my Ottawa bungalow by myself?

Installing a basic downspout extension is one of the more approachable DIY eavestrough tasks, and it's genuinely important work for Ottawa homeowners. Ottawa's clay-heavy soil drains poorly, and water dumping too close to your foundation is a leading cause of basement moisture problems — especially in older neighbourhoods like Barrhaven, Kanata, and Orleans where clay subsoil is common. Getting water at least 1.8 metres away from your foundation is the minimum required under Ontario Building Code Part 9, and further is better.

What You'll Need and How to Do It

The most common and beginner-friendly solution is a rigid aluminum or plastic elbow-and-extension combination. You'll find these at any Ottawa home improvement store — Home Depot on Baseline, Rona, or local building supply outlets all carry them. For a basic extension, you'll need a downspout elbow (typically 75-degree or 90-degree depending on your existing outlet angle), a length of matching downspout, and sheet metal screws or pop rivets to secure the connection. Make sure the extension matches your existing downspout size — most Ottawa bungalows use 2x3-inch or 3x4-inch rectangular downspouts.

Measure the distance from where your current downspout terminates to where you want water to discharge. Cut your extension piece to length using tin snips — score and bend if you're not comfortable with snips. Slide the pieces together so the upper piece overlaps into the lower piece, which ensures water flows inside the joint rather than leaking at the seam. Secure each connection with two or three sheet metal screws. Angle the extension slightly downward so water flows freely rather than pooling in the tube.

For Ottawa's conditions specifically, rigid extensions are far preferable to flexible corrugated plastic extensions. Those corrugated accordion-style extenders are cheap and tempting, but they trap debris, collapse under snow loading, and crack in our minus-30-degree winters. They also get buried under snow and ice and can create a hidden drainage problem all winter long. Spend a few extra dollars on rigid aluminum — it will last decades.

One important Ottawa-specific consideration: if your extension will run across a walkway, driveway, or any surface where water will freeze in winter, think carefully about where the discharge point ends up. Water discharging onto a concrete walkway in January creates an ice hazard. Angle the extension toward a lawn or garden bed where possible, and make sure the discharge point is on a slight grade away from the house.

Splash blocks are a smart addition — place a concrete or plastic splash block under the discharge point to prevent soil erosion and direct water further from the foundation. These cost $15 to $40 and require no installation beyond placement.

For a single-storey bungalow, this is genuinely manageable DIY work. You're working at ground level, the materials are inexpensive ($20 to $60 for a typical extension), and the tools required are basic. The whole job usually takes under an hour per downspout. Check your work during the next rainfall — watch for leaks at joints and confirm water is flowing freely to the discharge point.

If you discover during this project that your downspout is undersized, cracked, or pulling away from the eavestrough above, those repairs move into territory where a professional assessment is worthwhile. You can browse eavestrough contractors serving Ottawa through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com — it's a free resource and a good starting point if the scope of work grows beyond a simple extension.