How to Divert Downspout Water Away From Your Home
Don’t let rainy days stress you out
If you find yourself chanting “rain, rain, go away” every time you see a dark cloud, you might be worried about how your home stands up against wet weather. While not everyone loves a rainy day, your home’s foundation is particularly vulnerable to too much rainwater. To help manage water flow from your gutter system, you need to divert downspout water effectively. Learn how to divert downspout water yourself in a few different ways.
What Is a Downspout?
Gutter downspouts are vertical pipes that transport rainwater from the gutters to the ground. This concentrated flow of water can cause major problems if it falls too close to your home. Properly diverting downspout water protects your home's foundation and prevents damage to your yard. Problems that can occur without enough room between your downspout flow and your home include:
Soil erosion: The concentrated force of water can erode the soil surrounding your foundation, weakening its structural integrity. Over time, this erosion can lead to cracks, settling, and even more serious structural issues.
Pest issues: Excessive water can saturate the ground around your foundation, creating a breeding ground for pests like termites and mosquitoes.
Flooding: Saturated soil can increase the risk of basement flooding, causing significant damage to your belongings and potentially compromising the structural stability of your home.
Damaged landscape: The forceful flow of water can wash away topsoil, depriving your plants of essential nutrients and leaving behind unsightly bare patches. It can also create muddy areas that can damage your walkways, patios, and driveway.
It's important that your gutter system's downspouts drain at least 5 to 10 feet away from the base of your house. Otherwise, water could collect near your home's foundation and cause significant damage.
How to Prepare to Divert Downspout Water
Before you start any downspout drainage project, check with your local government about any rules or regulations regarding where you can discharge water from your property. You don't want to cause any problems for your neighbors by directing water onto their land.
When planning this project, you should also consider winter weather. It’s best to avoid directing water toward areas where it could freeze and create slippery or dangerous conditions, such as walkways or driveways.
How to Divert Downspout Water
If you are ready to divert your home’s downspout water, the good news is you have a few options to approach this project. When deciding which method is best for you, consider factors such as the amount of local rainfall, soil type, and the slope of your yard.
Extend the Length of Your Downspouts
You can extend a downspout’s length by buying and installing a commercially available extension. Aim for an extension of at least five feet to effectively direct water away from your foundation. Downspout extensions come in various lengths and materials that make it easy to find the right fit for your home.
Install Rain Barrels
Another effective method for diverting downspout water is to install rain barrels. Rain barrels collect rainwater from your downspouts, significantly reducing the amount of water that needs to be diverted. The collected rainwater can then be used for various purposes such as watering plants, washing cars, or other non-potable uses.
Create a Dry Well
Another option for diverting downspout water is creating a dry well. This involves excavating a deep hole about three to four feet deep and filling it with gravel or crushed stone. The downspout is then connected to the dry well, allowing the water to slowly percolate into the ground through the gravel.
Install French Drains
French drains are a more complex but highly effective system for diverting water away from your foundation. This involves digging a trench along the foundation, placing a perforated pipe in the trench surrounded by gravel, and then connecting the downspout to the French drain. This system effectively collects and redirects water away from your foundation. However, it’s a complex project for typical DIYers—better to leave this one to a professional French drain installer near you.
Use Swales
Swales are shallow, gently sloping channels created in your yard to guide water away from your foundation. Planting water-loving plants along the swales helps to absorb and slow down the water flow from your downspouts.
Build a Rain Garden
Rain gardens are strategically designed depressions filled with native plants that absorb rainwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and patios. They not only reduce the amount of water entering storm drains but also create beautiful and environmentally beneficial features in your landscape.
Add Permeable Pavements
Replacing traditional concrete or asphalt driveways and walkways with permeable materials like porous concrete or gravel allows rainwater to seep into the ground naturally, reducing runoff and replenishing groundwater supplies.
Tips for Diverting Downspout Water
If you choose to DIY this project, these helpful tips can make it easier to divert downspout water safely and effectively from start to finish.
Assess your property: Before kicking off this project, evaluate your property's slope and amount of rainfall to determine the most suitable drainage solution.
Consider soil type: Different soil types have varying drainage capacities. Clay soils, for example, drain slower than sandy soils. Factor this into your drainage plan.
Plan and measure: Carefully plan the drainage route. Measure distances, slopes, and the volume of water you expect to handle.
Protect yourself: If you DIY this project, be sure to wear appropriate safety gear, such as gloves and safety glasses, while working.
Consider landscaping: Whenever possible, integrate your drainage solution with your landscaping design. Use plants to stabilize the soil around the drainage system and enhance the overall aesthetic.
Get a professional consultation: If you're unsure about any aspect of the project, consult with a professional gutter pro or landscaper. They can provide expert advice, assess your specific needs, and ensure proper installation—all while following the appropriate rules and regulations.
Clean your gutters: You should clean your gutters twice a year to make sure they don’t get clogged and cause water to overflow onto your foundation.
DIY Diverting Downspout Water vs. Hiring a Gutter Pro
If you're handy and want to save money, you'll pay as little as $10 to $50 for a simple downspout extension you install yourself. However, if you need a more complex solution, such as a French drain, hiring a gutter professional near you is best. While you'll have to pay for labor, you won't have to worry about improper installation that could put your gutter system and foundation at risk.
Because the cost to work on downspouts varies based on the method, it helps to request quotes from a few pros to get the best deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rerouting one downspout costs between $30 and $200, though the price will vary based on the complexity of your gutter system. The length of your new downspout extension will also influence the price, and you’ll pay more if you need to dig trenches for underground piping. A simple downspout rerouting with above ground extensions can cost as low as $30 for materials if you DIY the job, while a full underground rerouting could cost over $1,000 if a pro installs it.
To locate an underground downspout, you should start by identifying where the above ground gutter drains. Look for an entry point, such as a pipe or elbow leading into the ground. Follow the surface path for signs like depressions, landscaping disruptions, or wet areas after rain. You can use a metal detector or plumber’s snake to trace the pipe underground. For deeper pipes, a professional locator tool or camera inspection may be necessary. Visual markers or utility maps can also guide the search.
