Symptoms
- Water pooling right at the base of a downspout
- Wet basement or crawl space near a particular downspout
- Erosion or mulch washed away under the downspout
Likely causes
- CommonMissing or too-short downspout extensionWater discharged right at the foundation has nowhere to go but down and in.
- CommonGround sloping toward the house instead of awayGrading that tilts toward the foundation channels water back against it regardless of the downspout.
- PossibleClogged or crushed underground drain pipeBuried extensions can clog with roots or dirt, or get crushed, backing water up.
What to do
- Check where the downspout currently discharges and how far from the foundation.
- Add or extend a downspout extension so water discharges at least 4–6 feet from the foundation.
- If there's a buried drain line, run a hose into it to check it flows freely out the far end; clear clogs with a plumbing snake if not.
- Check the grading near the foundation; ground should slope away from the house for the first several feet.
- Add or regrade soil, or install a splash block, if grading is flat or sloped the wrong way.
- Consider a flexible or pop-up extension if a fixed one is a tripping hazard or gets in the way of mowing.
- Watch during the next heavy rain to confirm water is now moving well away from the house.
Tools and parts
- Shovel
- Garden hose
- Plumbing snake (if buried line)
Downspout extensionSearch: “downspout extension”
Splash blockSearch: “concrete splash block”
When to call a pro
Call a landscaping or drainage contractor for regrading or a buried drain line repair if the issue is more than a simple extension.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.