Downspout

{{for multi|tornadoes over water|Waterspout|the fictional police officer|Constable Downspout}}

{{Short description|Pipe for carrying water from a rain gutter}}

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A downspout, waterspout,{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waterspout?show=0&t=1334165908|title=Merriam Webster Online, Thesaurus}} downpipe, drain spout, drainpipe,{{Cite web|title=drainpipe|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/drainpipe|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731062911/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/drainpipe|archive-date=31 July 2016|access-date=4 December 2020|website=Collins English Dictionary}} roof drain pipe,Francis Joseph Patry 1974. Roof Drain Arrangement. [http://www.google.ca/patents/about?id=J5UyAAAAEBAJ&dq=%22drain+pipe%22+roof+components United States Patent 3909412] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324152506/http://www.google.ca/patents/about?id=J5UyAAAAEBAJ&dq=%22drain+pipe%22+roof+components |date=2012-03-24 }}< rone{{Cite web|url=https://chambers.co.uk/search/?query=rone&title=21st|title=Chambers – Search Chambers}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/rone|title=RONE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/rone|title=Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words|website=Dictionary.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rone|title=Definition of RONE|website=www.merriam-webster.com}} or leader is a pipe for carrying rainwater from a rain gutter.

The purpose of a downspout is to allow water from a gutter to reach the ground without dripping or splashing down the building structure. Downspouts are usually vertical and usually extend down to ground level, although may be routed at an angle to avoid architectural features and may discharge onto an intermediate roof.

At the bottom of downspout there are typically features to divert discharged water away from the building's foundations to prevent water damage. This may be a simple bend of, typically around 70 degrees, at the bottom. Alternatively a downspout may lead to a sewer, a runoff water drain or a seepway to allow the water to soak into the ground through seepage.

Decorative heads are sometimes added, these being low-height gargoyles.