Beyond the obvious practicality of having a convenient way to lift and move around your gutter downspout, there is substantial risk involved in not having a gutter extension securely and professionally attached and diverting water away from your foundation. The downspout is arguably the most important aspect of the entire gutter system since it is this one section that funnels all water out and away from your home’s foundation. In the event that the gutter extension is improperly secured or otherwise compromised, water can seep into your basement and cause serious damage. Professional estimates for cleaning a flooded basement can range from $2,000 to $5,000. What’s worse, while most homeowners’ insurance will cover disasters, it will oftentimes not cover damage occurring from the homeowner’s failure to perform expected maintenance. You can easily and quickly protect your home with the addition of the tough & reliable gutter Zip Hinge.