A downspout adapter is a nozzle that can be attached to a downspout in order to expend water at a selected area. This connects the downspout and the drainage tube, making an efficient water passage. Downspout adapters can be seen visibly appended to tubes mounted on a building or hidden underground in a preconstructed drainage. These adapters vary in size and shape, depending on the pipe to which they are attached.
Downspout adapters can be as small as four inches (10.16 cm) in diameter. They come in two standard shapes: rounded and regular. A downspout adapter can also be molded into a unique shape. These adapters are usually made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl, or stainless steel. Other materials used to make a downspout adapter include strong plastics and aluminum.
Most downspouts adapters are attached within a building foundation to support transferring of rain water from the roof gutter. Catching the water became a problem for many construction services. Pressure from oversized spouts caused drainways to break up. Debris and other materials can also be trapped within the downspouts attached to the gutter.
The use of downspout adapters is a solution to this construction dilemma, as it provides a clearer passage for water transmission. The pressure from the spout can also be lessened when attached with an adapter with a smaller diameter. These downspout adapters could also act as funnels in trapping the materials caught with the rain water.
Downspout adapters can also be placed in water irrigation downspouts. Tubes connected from the pumping area can make watering the plants easier. These tubes can be diverted accordingly with these adapters. Rain water can be collected through the downspout through a uniquely built passage system. With the use of a barrel at the end of the drainage, water can be saved and stored for future irrigation and garden hosing.
There are two kinds of downspout adapters. One kind is the offset downspout adapter. This type of attachment provides an even transition from the downspout to a different drain location. The other is the flush downspout adapter, which lets the water pass in a straight direction from the gutter and into the pipeline.
The most common downspout adapter is the offset adapter. One form of an offset downspout adapter is a C-shaped pipe attachment. Another type is a slanted triangular shape that casts rain water away from the tube by letting it slide down its angles. Some offset adapters are made from a stretchable material used to extend the tube to a longer distance. This type can also be bent into another position to append the next pipe.