How to Solve Downspout Drainage Problems
Sometimes water tends to pool up around the downspout. This can be bad news as it keeps standing water too close to your home for comfort.
There are a few things you can try. For some people, a little concrete downspout extender will provide plenty of protection.
Other solutions I’ve covered on this blog include:
- Using flexible pipe to send water to the street drain.
- Creating a rain garden.
Today I came across another solution on a blog called Growing the Home Garden. The owner of this blog has opted to create dry creek beds under his downspouts.
The solution is elegant and contributes a nice new feature to his landscape. It also lets him water plant beds near his house without endangering the foundation. It’s almost like creating a different type of rain garden.
Here’s a description of his method:
It only involves three steps.
Direct the water down the pathway by digging a trench a little deeper than you need it. Lay a plastic layer over the trench to keep water flowing away from the trench. Cover with stone. I used a combination of gathered limestone and pea gravel. After the pea gravel I edged it with other stones and made patterns.
As you can see there are all sorts of creative solutions to help you deal with downspout drainage problems. But before any of them will help you’ll need clean, leak-free gutters that aren’t clogged on the inside.
If you live in Brandon, FL or anywhere else in the Tampa Bay metro area, call us first! We can provide you with a free estimate on gutter cleaning, gutter repair, or seamless aluminum gutters that will protect your home from rain water damage.






