If it were me, I'd take it apart, which shouldn't take more than about 2 minutes, and then run a hose through it, if that is even necessary. This will get it cleaner than running a snake trough it.

After it is cleaned out, I would install some type of strainer at the gutter...otherwise you are going to be doing this at regular intervals.

That is a really bad routing: it's long and has very little slope. If you want it to not continue to be a nuisance, you should trench around the foundation and install 4" plastic drainpipe in the ground.to carry the water away. You would have the downspout go directly into this rather than having that length of downspout running along the ground. There is a reason it's called downspout, and that is because it is intended to run vertically...not like that.

Not really a help but that sure looks like an aluminum leader pipe to me and not PVC, and I would do as kudzu suggests.

I mentioned this is a bad design! I do think taking it apart will be necessary though - the leaves and junk just seem pretty densely packed to the point that not even our power washer could blast them out without some help from a long pole or snake. Just hoping there's nothing living inside!

All the long pieces are indeed PVC - not sure about the elbows.

Missed the pictures---kudzu is spot on. Have seen the PVC sections like that---not a big fan.

add me to the "take it apart" club. With a free piece you should be able to stand it on end and start banging it a round to loosen the debris. Then a hose should be able to get it cleaned out pretty easily.

Why not run an open gutter for the long run on the ground (essentially a trough)? It could be easily cleaned then.

If there are parts that make it work - Open gutter/trough sounds like a possible solution for both now, and the future. At least for some of it. Chances are pretty good some of the PVC is going to crack and break anyway once we start messing with it. The house is 22 years old.

Taking it apart won't be that hard, and the only way I can see to get it clear. Once that's done, I agree with Kudzu - install gutter covers to prevent debris from getting to the downspout in the first place.

I used to get leaves plugging the top of the downspout every year - I unbent a hanger, and jammed that down the pipe to loosen the crud (along with a garden hose). I installed inexpensive gutter screens at least 10 years ago, and I haven't had to rod out the downspouts since.

Good luck! I would love to see a photo of how much gunk you get out of that line.

HD has an expanded bladders to clear drains. you put on the end of your hose. Get the right size push it in as far as you can and turn on the water

For open gutters, they make wooden gutters and vinyl gutters. Alternately just take a sawzall and cut the top off the piece you have now.

After taking it apart, how about cutting off the bottom of the downspout, so you have more slope to the outlet?

"cut the top off the piece you have now" - I was thinking about this and perhaps it's on the right track using the existing downspout configuration. How about cut some small access points in the top of the long run - enough to allow the power washer to reach inside - to blow out the debris. Clean out ports. Worth a try and no cost at all other than maybe a half hour of labor.

"How about cut some small access points in the top of the long run - enough to allow the power washer to reach inside - to blow out the debris. Clean out ports. Worth a try and no cost at all other than maybe a half hour of labor."

Why not. Couldn't hurt.

pics?

they are in the first post listed as Photo 1 & Photo 2.

Use a 1 1/4 inch hole saw for a drill to make holes in the middle of each section of Downpipe at the top this will allow easier cleaning with a garden hose. I do not recommend using a snake or electric/gas power washer.

Kudzu is on the right track but you need a catch basin and need to clean that out regularly otherwise your underground pipe will get clogged too.

http://www.ndspro.com/PDFs/Catalogs/NDS-Drainage-Catalog.pdf

See page 16 and 26. Have the downspout terminate in a catch basin which sends water out to an emitter or round grate in the yard. Big box home stores usually have these available.