10/02/2026
Let it rain!!!!
It’s good to have downspouts, but it’s even better to have them pointing in the right direction.
Downspouts are designed to collect roof runoff and carry it away from the home. When they discharge directly beside the foundation, they can contribute to erosion and oversaturation of the soils supporting the footing.
If that condition is left uncorrected over time, the supporting soils can lose strength or erode, which may contribute to foundation settlement.
When significant settlement has already occurred, correction may require underpinning the affected foundation with a deeper foundation system, such as properly designed piers that transfer the structural load to more competent bearing material below.
The better approach is prevention.
Extend downspouts far enough away from the structure so the water can continue to drain without collecting near the foundation. In some cases, downspouts can also be connected to a solid underground piping system that carries the water away and discharges to daylight at a lower area of the site.
Whichever method is used, the surrounding ground should still slope away from the home so water keeps moving in the right direction.
Collect the water.
Carry it away.
Protect the supporting soils.
Hill Engineering Group, Inc. — Structural Peace of Mind.