| Prior to the 1960s, the majority of homes were built | | | | sewer, which is beneficial for the natural groundwater |
| with a water management system that drained | | | | aquifer.For downspouts that simply discharge water |
| directly into municipal storm sewers. Unfortunately, | | | | on the ground, it is vital that this not affect the |
| this type of drainage system is now considered illegal | | | | ground surrounding the home. Serious problems may |
| in many parts of North America. In many instances, | | | | result from runoff water pooling around the structure |
| storm water collected by each home was too much | | | | of the house. It could erode the soil in your yard, |
| for the municipality to handle, overflowing into the | | | | creating an eyesore and leaving a slick muddy mess |
| sanitary sewer system. Sewage treatment plants | | | | impossible to plant a lawn and garden in or walk |
| could not accommodate the amount of runoff water | | | | through. Collecting water may leak into the |
| that flowed into the system, discharging tons of | | | | basement, making it dank and a perfect environment |
| untreated sewage into lakes and streams in the area. | | | | for health-threatening mold. And the worst problem: it |
| As these lakes and streams are also sources of | | | | may seep into the foundation of the home, causing |
| drinking water for the area, the situation posed a | | | | wood to rot and concrete to crack. If this occurs, |
| serious health threat for inhabitants.Most downspouts | | | | your house will require immediate repairs to prevent a |
| attached to homes are now designed to eliminate | | | | catastrophe.That's why runoff water must be |
| runoff water by simply discharging it on the ground, | | | | eliminated far from the base of your home. Instead |
| near the base of the house, or slightly further away. | | | | of spending thousands of dollars on an expensive |
| Downspouts may also be attached to an | | | | drainage system that will require costly routine |
| underground drainage system, also known as a | | | | maintenance, there is an economical solution. |
| French Drain. However, this design is costly, requiring | | | | Attaching downspout extenders to each downspout |
| professional routine clearance of debris and other | | | | will get rid of runoff water. Downspout extenders |
| clogging substances in the underground piping. Both | | | | extend the length of downspouts so that water will |
| types do not discharge water directly into the | | | | not pool around the house. Rather, it will disperse the |
| municipal storm sewer; runoff water needs to travel | | | | power of flowing water and spray out at a safe |
| before reaching the sewer. Therefore, some water | | | | distance, ideally at six feet. |
| can be absorbed by the ground before it reaches the | | | | |