Gutter cleaning is just the beginning

Everyone knows it's important to keep your gutters clean and free flowing. Shedding water away from the roofline and bringing it to ground in a controlled way is vital for the health of your roof, landscaping, and foundation.

There’s a part we don’t talk about enough - the splash blocks. Splash blocks are the devices that look like shallow ramps that sit on the ground under the bottom outlet of the downspout. Instead of a splash block you could also have a downspout extension, they serve the same function and this advice applies to both.

These critical components of the rainwater drainage system are intended to draw water away from the foundation of the house. Concrete, which is the most common building material used for house foundations, can be damaged by prolonged water contact over time.

Splash blocks and downspout extensions are also designed to spread out and slow down the rain water flow, helping to prevent erosion and damage to landscaping, mulch, gardens, etc.

Take a moment and check the area where your downspouts let water out to the ground. Can the water hit the splash block and be diverted away from the foundation? Does the grade of the yard push water towards the house? Making small changes on the positioning of these devices can provide long lasting benefits. If you have a downspout extension that goes into the ground, it most likely hooks up to a yard drainage system. Do you know where it lets out? Does it run clearly?

If you need a hand with your rainwater drainage system, reach out to us. We’re here to help.