Downspouts dumping at your foundation: 3 fixes, from simplest to most complete

Short answer: start with the simplest fix and move up only if water still sits. First, an extension that carries roof water several feet from the wall. Second, a buried downspout line ending in a pop-up emitter. Third, a catch basin or French drain when the ground itself cannot take the water. Drainage work is quoted on site, and French drains start at $65 per linear foot on our price list.

Why this matters in Atlanta

Rain on a roof lands in a handful of spots all at once. A downspout pours that water in a stream beside your foundation, and Georgia clay does not soak it up quickly. The water pools against the wall, finds the weakest point and shows up as a damp crawlspace, a cracked step or soil washing off a bed. Fall leaves make it worse by clogging gutters, so overflow lands right at the base.

Most of the time the cause is not mysterious. It is a short downspout sitting on bare ground.

Fix 1: an extension (simplest)

A flexible or hinged extension on the end of the downspout carries water out and away from the house. It is cheap and quick, and you can do it yourself.

Good for: light problems, a yard that slopes away from the house, a temporary fix. Weak at: lawn mowing (it gets in the way), steep rain, and flat yards where the water simply pools farther out.

Make sure it discharges onto ground that slopes away from the house, not into a bowl.

Fix 2: a buried line and pop-up emitter

Here, a solid pipe is buried from the downspout out into the yard, ending in a pop-up emitter, a small cap in the lawn that opens when water flows. Nothing to trip over and nothing to mow around. The water arrives where there is room for it to spread.

Good for: most homes with a downspout issue, and the usual answer to roof water. Weak at: flat lots with nowhere lower to send water, and yards where the outlet ends in a wet area already.

Outlet location is everything. A buried line that dumps into a low spot just moves the puddle. We map where the water already goes before we dig, so we choose an outlet that works.

Fix 3: a catch basin or French drain (most complete)

If the ground around the house stays wet even after the roof water is moved, the issue is more than the downspout. A catch basin collects water at a low spot and sends it out through a pipe. A French drain intercepts water crossing the yard. These are the heavier tools, and they cost more. French drains start at $65 per linear foot. Length, outlet and restoration set the total, so we quote after a site visit.

How to choose, step by step

Watch a rain from the porch. See exactly where each downspout lands.
Clear the gutters first. A clogged gutter looks like a drainage failure.
Try an extension for a few storms.
If the water still pools within a few feet of the wall, plan a buried line.
If the yard stays soggy anywhere after the roof water is gone, ask for a drainage plan.

What not to do

Do not point a downspout at a neighbor's yard or into the street where it is not allowed. And do not tie a buried line into the foundation drain without knowing what is there. Those are the mistakes that turn a cheap fix into an expensive one.

When to call us

Call when water reaches the foundation, when an extension did not help, or when you do not know where a buried line could safely exit. We are licensed and insured, our own crew does the digging, and we stop and tell you before doing anything we could not see. We work around Brookhaven, Decatur and Druid Hills, where older homes often have short or missing downspout runs. See pricing or request a quote.

FAQ

How far should a downspout drain from the house? Far enough that the water does not come back to the wall. On clay, that usually means carrying it well out into the yard, and a buried line does that best.

Is a buried downspout worth it? Often, yes. It removes the hose-in-the-yard look and moves the water properly. It depends on a good outlet.

How much does drainage work cost? French drains start at $65 per linear foot. Length, outlet and restoration set the total, so we quote on site.

Can I do this myself? An extension, yes. A buried line is doable if you know the outlet and call 811 before you dig.

Prices from our price list. Updated November 2026.