Yard drainage & gutters
Everything that moves rainwater off your roof and away from your house: gutters, downspouts, the slope of the ground, and any drains or swales in the yard.
Typical lifespan20–40 years
How it works
Gutters catch the water running off the roof and downspouts drop it at the ground. From there the soil has to carry it away, either by sloping away from the house or through a drain. When any link breaks, water collects against the foundation or sits in the yard. On flat land with clay soil and a high water table, like much of the Gulf Coast and south Louisiana, the ground drains slowly, so the slope and the drains do more of the work.
Keeping it healthy
- Clean gutters at least twice a year, and more often under trees
- Make sure every downspout empties at least 4 to 6 feet from the house
- Keep soil and mulch sloping away from the foundation, not toward it
- Walk the yard during a heavy rain once a year and note where water goes
- Flush drain inlets and pop-up emitters so they don't silt up
Warning signs
- Puddles that stay more than a day after rain
- Gutters spilling over the front edge in a storm
- Wet soil, washouts or erosion right next to the foundation
- Water or musty smells under a raised house
- New cracks in the slab, brick or interior walls, or doors that start to stick
Common problems
What it costs
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