Downspouts and gutter drainage
Catching roof water is only half the job. On a Morgantown hillside, where that water ends up matters just as much.
Every gallon your gutters collect leaves through a downspout. If the downspout empties at the base of the wall, the water soaks the soil right against the foundation, erodes beds and often shows up in the basement or crawl space. On a sloped lot it can also run along the house or down the bank below it. Drainage work moves that water to a spot where it can soak in or run off without doing damage.
How do I know the downspouts are the problem?
- Soggy ground or puddles where downspouts let out
- Soil or mulch washed out after a storm
- A musty or damp basement after heavy rain
- Water bubbling out of the top of a downspout
- Ice sheets on walks and steps below a downspout in winter
- Splash blocks that sank or tipped back toward the house
What are the options?
- Bigger downspouts. Moving from 2-by-3 to 3-by-4 inches carries more water and clogs less.
- Additional downspouts. Long runs and big roof areas often need another outlet.
- Extensions and splash blocks. The simplest fix: carry water several feet out before releasing it.
- Buried lines. Pipe that runs underground to a pop-up emitter or to daylight farther downhill.
- Rain barrels. Store some water for the garden, with the overflow pointed away from the house.
Why is hillside drainage a bigger deal here?
Monongalia County has more structures in high or medium landslide susceptibility zones than almost anywhere else in West Virginia, according to a WVU GIS Technical Center risk study, and the state's Geological and Economic Survey names heavy rain, clay soil and steep slopes as the main causes of slides. Roof water released at the top of a bank, or onto a cut slope behind the house, adds to the problem. A good drainage plan collects that water and carries it to a stable outlet instead of letting it loose where the ground is already steep. If you see cracks in the yard, a bulging bank or a leaning wall, have the slope looked at by a qualified professional, not just the gutters.
Do buried downspout lines work?
They do with a steady slope, smooth-wall pipe that can be snaked and a cleanout. They fail when leaves and shingle grit wash down and pack the pipe, one of the best arguments for guards. Ask where the line will discharge, and don't aim water at a sidewalk, the street or a neighbor's yard. West Virginia law requires a WV811 locate request at least two business days before digging, so your installer should file one before trenching.
What affects drainage cost?
- Number of downspouts and length of each run.
- Above ground or buried.
- Obstacles such as walks, drives, roots and walls.
- Distance to a safe outlet.
We don't quote prices. The installer prices the job after measuring each run, counting downspouts and seeing how tall and steep the roof is and how hard the lot is to ladder, so any figure you hear before that visit is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Do I need to call before digging for a downspout line?
Yes. West Virginia requires a WV811 locate request at least two business days before any digging, and your installer should make it before trenching.
How far out should a downspout discharge?
Several feet at a minimum, and farther where the ground slopes back toward the house. The goal is to keep water from soaking in at the foundation or on a steep bank.
Related services
More background: Morgantown gutter guard guide.
Gutters packed with leaves again, or spilling over in every storm?
Call and get connected with a gutter installer in the Morgantown area who can look at your roofline and quote guards.