​Why Your Downspouts Might Be the Root of Your Drainage Problems

When homeowners think of drainage issues, they often look at their yard first—standing water in the lawn, mulch washing away, or a soggy spot that never seems to dry. But in our experience across central North Carolina, the true culprit is often overlooked: the downspouts.

What’s Going Wrong?
Downspouts are designed to direct roof runoff away from your home. The problem? In many cases, they only push water a few feet away—or worse, discharge right next to your foundation. This constant saturation can lead to foundation damage, erosion, water intrusion in crawlspaces, and landscape washout.

Why Roof Water Runoff Matters More Than You Think
A single inch of rainfall on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces over 600 gallons of runoff. Multiply that by multiple downspouts around your home, and it’s easy to see why a little misdirection goes a long way toward big problems.

The Two Best Solutions
1. Downspout Extensions (Buried Solid Pipe)
The most effective fix is to connect your downspouts to a buried solid drain pipe system. This routes water safely away—usually to a sloped discharge point or a designated daylighting area—without causing surface erosion. The pipe is smooth, not perforated, which keeps roof debris and leaf matter from clogging the line.

2. Grading Adjustments
Even with good pipework, water won’t move correctly if the land is flat or sloped the wrong way. Adjusting the grade of your yard ensures that water flows away from your home naturally. Together with proper downspout routing, this creates a reliable, long-term solution.

Our Approach
At Southern Solutions, we don’t just install pipe—we evaluate your entire runoff path, from the roof to the final outfall. We check slopes, inspect existing drainage paths, and customize the fix to your property’s unique layout. If you’ve been dealing with washout, soggy grass, or foundation leaks, don’t wait until it gets worse. Get your solution today! 

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