Downspouts and gutter drainage
Gutters catch the water. Downspouts and drains decide where it goes, and if that's next to the foundation, the gutters didn't help much.
All the water your gutters collect leaves through downspouts. When a downspout empties right at the wall, that water soaks the soil against the foundation, carves out flower beds and can end up in a crawl space or basement. Good drainage gets roof water to a place where it can soak in or run off without causing harm.
How can I tell my downspouts are the problem?
- Soggy ground or puddles where a downspout empties
- Soil and mulch washed away after each storm
- Water in the basement or crawl space after rain
- Downspouts that back up and overflow at the top
- Runoff across walkways that freezes in winter
- Splash blocks sunk or tilted back toward the house
What are the fixes?
- Larger downspouts. Going from 2-by-3-inch to 3-by-4-inch moves more water and clogs less, and is standard with 6-inch gutters.
- Additional downspouts. Long runs and big roof planes often need another outlet.
- Extensions and splash blocks. The simplest step: carry water several feet out before releasing it.
- Buried drain lines. Pipe that takes downspout water to a pop-up emitter, a downhill outlet or another suitable spot.
- Rain barrels. Catch some water for the garden, with the overflow sent away from the house.
Do buried downspout drains work?
They do when they're laid with steady slope, use smooth-wall pipe that can be cleaned and have a cleanout. They fail when leaves and shingle grit wash down and build up inside, which is one more reason guards help. A backed-up buried line makes the downspout overflow at the top and puts water right back at the foundation. Ask where the line will discharge, and don't send water onto a neighbor's lot or across a sidewalk.
Why does Roanoke Valley terrain matter?
The valley floor is ringed by steep ridges, and plenty of homes in Southwest County, Vinton and along Mill Mountain sit on sloped lots. On a slope, water released on the uphill side of a house heads straight for the foundation. Routing those downspouts around to the downhill side, or into a drain line that carries water past the house, usually works better than dumping it where it falls. Homes near the Roanoke River or its creeks may also be in a mapped flood zone, where local rules can differ, so check with your city or county.
What affects the cost of drainage work?
- How many downspouts and how far the water travels.
- Above ground or buried. Trenching and pipe add cost.
- Obstacles. Driveways, walks, roots and landscaping.
- Where the water can safely go.
We don't quote prices. An installer prices the job after measuring your gutter runs, counting downspouts and seeing how high and steep the roof is, so any number over the phone is a rough guess at best.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How far from the house should downspouts discharge?
At least several feet, and farther on flat lots or where the ground slopes toward the house. The goal is to keep water from soaking in next to the foundation.
Why does my underground downspout drain back up?
Usually leaves or grit have built up in the pipe, roots have gotten in, or the pipe doesn't have enough slope. A cleanout and gutter guards help prevent it.
Related services
More background: Roanoke Valley gutter guard guide.
Done cleaning gutters off a ladder?
Call and a Roanoke Valley gutter guard installer will come look at your roofline and quote it.