downspoutgutters
This used to be fine without the flexible adapter, I had a rigid gutter to pipe adapter in the past. The ground below must have pushed the pipe around over time. The fitting was barely working for the last year and more recently not working at all. I bought a flexible adapter today and it is really straining to fit. Is there a better solution? I could not find flexible pipe to pipe connectors for this job.
Well, fixing the damage won't prevent it from happening again, so to fix this and prevent further damages from ice in the future, you will need to install some hardware. First, you are going to need to get out the ladder and , with some assistance, push the down spout back up and re-attach it to the elbow. I'd use extra fasteners, and possibly a short rubber connection hose to ensure a good tight seal. It is likely ice formation caused the metal to flex, creating a weakness in the fastener, so the rubber hose will help.
The gutter issue really comes down to weight. Installing some "Heavy Load Gutter Brackets" would help. For the distance of gutter and weight on it I'd put in two brackets with each in the middle of the roof jousts near the middle that are shown in the picture.
With all of these fixes, be sure your nails or screws get "purchase" or else it is all for nothing.
EDIT:Use the same fasteners you are using, just use more. Not a ton more, maybe just one or two. Don't use sheet metal screws, use wood screws. Sheet metal screws have smaller thread, wood screws are made for, well, wood. That will handle the horizontal movement. For the vertical sliding, either rivet the joints together(this option costs less, but more permanent, and is more invisible) OR buy a vinyl connector and put a fastener on the connector itself and on the downspout itself just above and just below the connector
It's a strange method (to me, anyway) but my guess is someone put it there to prevent erosion. If you have water running from the downspout, without anything there it will basically pound a hole into the ground, as well as drain into your foundation, which can cause various problems including flooding of your basement, and cracked foundations.
I guess it's the cheap equivalent of one of these:
It's best though to have an extension and get it far away from your house, so that water is running downhill/away from your foundation.
Best Answer
I would suggest that you replace the rigid gutter to pipe adapter with a new one. Adjust the downspout as necessary to make it fit.
What you've got now looks like it will restrict water flow because the flex pipe has a dip in it - effectively a shallow P-trap. Not something you want in an rain gutter. Also, if that's not a tight fit between the flex and rigid piping, you're going to end up with dirt and plant life in the buried section and it will end up backing up and flooding this area.
I can't tell from the picture which way the rigid pipe goes once it's underground, but you may have to dig up a few inches of it to move it so it will once again meet up with the downspout and adapter.