For Residents

Downspouts - Residential

Downspouts are pipes that connect with a home's gutter system and carry rain water and snowmelt from the roof to the ground or storm service, providing proper rain water and snowmelt drainage and diversion. A functional downspout protects the home's roof, siding and foundation from water damage and helps prevent flooding of the home's basement.

Downspout Requirements

The downspout must have an elbow and a hinged extension and/or concrete splash pad.
The downspout elbow should be directed away from the foundation walls toward the drainage swales.
Downspout extensions or splash pads must not project past the property line.

The following pictures and diagrams illustrate downspouts in different conditions (for reference only):

Downspouts with extensions direct water away from foundation walls

This is an alternative downspout extension under concrete

This poor downspout location can generate a risk of basement flooding

Downspouts connect to storm service

These diagrams illustrate how the water flows