How To Extend Downspouts to Keep Water Away from Your Foundation and Concrete

Learn how to redirect downspout water away from your home to prevent foundation damage, soil erosion, and sinking concrete slabs.

Water might be essential for life, but it’s no friend to your home’s foundation or concrete surfaces. If your downspouts are spilling water right next to your basement, crawlspace, or concrete slab, you could be setting yourself up for a world of trouble – think leaks, foundation damage, and sinking concrete.

Fortunately, there are several ways to redirect that water safely away. Some methods are simple but ineffective, while others take a little more effort but provide long-term protection. Let’s walk through your options when it comes to redirecting downspouts.

Why Downspout Placement Matters

Let’s talk about why redirecting downspouts is such a big deal.

• Foundation Damage – Water pooling around your foundation can seep into your basement or crawlspace, causing leaks, mold, and even structural damage.
• Soil Erosion – When water continuously flows over the same spot, it can wash away soil beneath your nearby concrete or around your foundation.
• Concrete Settling and Cracking – Eroded soil means unstable support for concrete slabs, causing them to sink, crack, or become uneven.

Letting downspout water drain too close to your home is like ignoring a small drip under the sink. Over time, it can lead to bigger, more expensive problems.

Related Resource: Do I Have to Clean My Gutters? + Gutter and Downspout Maintenance Tips

Basic Downspout Elbows: Bad

The simplest way to end a downspout is with a short elbow attachment that points the water from the gutters out onto the ground.

The problem? Water doesn’t magically vanish – it seeps straight into the soil around your foundation or under your concrete.

Over time, this leads to erosion, leaks, and concrete sinking. In short, elbows alone are a bad idea.

Splash Blocks: Minor Improvement

A splash block (typically made of plastic or concrete) directs water a couple of feet away from your foundation.

The problem? Most splash blocks aren’t long enough to get the water far enough away. After hitting the block, water still soaks into the ground near your home.

The typical recommendation is to direct water at least 10 feet away from your foundation or concrete slabs, following a downward slope.

Surface Pipes: Better

A simple fix is to attach a downspout extension or a corrugated drain pipe that runs several feet away from the house.

These extensions can be flexible or rigid and help move water further into your yard, where it can safely disperse.

Pros:

• Easy to install
• Inexpensive
• Works well for mild drainage issues

Cons:

• Can be an eyesore
• Might get in the way of mowing or landscaping
• Requires occasional repositioning

Verdict? A solid solution for minor water problems, but not the best for long-term foundation protection.

Buried Drain Pipe: Best

For a long-term solution, a buried drain pipe is the best way to go. This is because the pipes connect to the downspout and move water from the gutters completely away from the house.

How It Works:

1. Dig a trench starting at your downspout and extending at least 6 to 10 feet away from the house.
2. Install a PVC drain pipe (4 inches in diameter works well) in the trench, sloping slightly downward to direct water away. Attach the pipe to the downspout.
3. If concrete is in the way, use an auger drill attachment to create a tunnel under the slab, so water isn’t forced to flow over it.
4. The pipe should exit in a safe area, far from the home – like a lower part of the yard, a dry well, or even to the street (if permitted).

Protecting Your Home the Right Way

If your downspouts are dumping water near your home, fixing the issue now can save you thousands of dollars in foundation repairs, waterproofing, and concrete leveling.

• Worst option? Elbows and splash blocks.
• Better option? Downspout extensions and surface pipes.
• Best option? A buried PVC drain system.

Investing in proper drainage today means less hassle, fewer repairs, and a healthier foundation for years to come. Now, grab that shovel (or call a pro), and give your home the drainage solution it deserves!

Already struggling with issues due to poor drainage? Request an estimate with your local A-1 Concrete Leveling team to discuss concrete repair and maintenance options!