Where Should Downspouts Drain? How Far From the House
Updated
Short answer
To sloping ground more than 5 feet from the foundation, or to an underground catchment more than 10 feet away that isn't connected to the foundation drain (U.S. DOE building science guidance).
Why it matters
A 2,000 square foot roof sheds about 1,247 gallons per inch of rain. Four downspouts dumping at the wall put more than 300 gallons each at the foundation in every inch of rain, and Rockford averages 37.24 inches a year.
Ways to get it there
- Hinged or flexible extensions that fold up for mowing.
- Rigid extensions to a splash block on sloping ground.
- Buried pipe to a pop-up emitter well out in the yard.
- A rain barrel with an overflow that still discharges away from the house.
Rockford-specific
- Don't send it across driveways and walks; it freezes. Rockford has 135.8 freezing nights a year.
- Don't aim it at a neighbor's yard.
Quick answers
How far should a downspout extension be?
Far enough to put water on sloping ground more than 5 feet from the foundation, per U.S. DOE building guidance.
Rather have someone else do it?
Tell us the address, how tall the house is and what you need. A local crew calls back with a price before anything is booked.