How Downspout Drainage Helps Protect Your Lawn and Foundation

Every time it rains in Collin County, a two-story roof dumps hundreds of gallons of water out of a handful of downspouts. If those downspouts just splash onto the grass, all of that water is soaking the same few square feet — right next to your house.

What downspout drainage actually is

It's a buried solid pipe — usually 3" or 4" PVC — connected to your downspout and run 10 to 20 feet out into the yard, ending in a pop-up emitter or a catch basin. When water comes down the gutter, it goes straight through the pipe and comes out well away from the house.

What it protects

• The lawn directly under the downspout, which usually stays dead or muddy
• The flower beds along the house, which stay soggy without it
• The foundation and the soil right next to it
• The mulch that keeps washing out into the grass

Common mistakes

Corrugated black pipe clogs with mud and roots quickly. Extensions that only run 3 or 4 feet don't get water far enough away. And a lot of homes have pop-ups placed in a low spot, which just moves the puddle. A good downspout drainage job uses smooth-wall pipe, runs far enough, and ends where the yard actually drains.