Where should downspouts drain?
At least 5 feet from the house, onto ground that falls away from it.
- Insured
- Locally owned
- Free estimates
How far from the foundation
5 feet
At least, where the water comes out on open ground.
- 10 feet from the property line is where Anne Arundel County suggests ending one.
- 6 inches of fall over the first 10 feet keeps water moving away.
How far should downspouts extend from the house?
At least 5 feet from the foundation, letting the water out onto ground that slopes away from the house. A buried pipe should carry it 10 feet or more, to a dry well or other catchment. The ground itself should fall half an inch per foot for 10 feet. We clean gutters around Annapolis, so water reaches the downspout.
Where the water can go.
Out onto the lawn.
An extension pipe ending on a splash block, so the soil does not wash away.
Keep runoff off public paths.
Water crossing a sidewalk or entering the road can create a hazard. Check the County discharge guidance before changing an outlet or connecting a pipe.
Into a rain barrel.
With an overflow that lets out at least 5 feet from the house.
Sources: Building America Solution Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NC State Extension and Anne Arundel County. Checked October 8, 2026.
For the roof edge and the yard.
Gutter cleaning
Leaves out, so rain reaches the downspout.
Yard drainage
River rock drainage for ground that stays wet.
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What clogged gutters cause
Where roof water goes when a gutter fills.
Questions
Are splash blocks enough by themselves?
Not right at the wall, where they let the water out too close to the house. At the end of an extension that reaches 5 feet, a splash block helps keep the soil from washing away.
Can downspouts be piped underground?
Yes. A solid, unperforated pipe can carry the water away from the house to a suitable outlet. Keep it separate from the perforated foundation drain. Check the County discharge guidance before choosing an outlet or connecting to an existing system.
Can a downspout drain into a rain garden?
Yes. Anne Arundel County names rain gardens as one place to send it. A rain garden can let about 30% more water soak in than the same patch of lawn, and it belongs more than 10 feet from the house. A new one may qualify for the county tax credit.
Is there a county tax credit for stormwater work?
Some qualified improvements may receive a County property tax credit: 10% of installation and material costs each year for up to five years, capped at $10,000 overall and the County property tax owed each year. Apply within 45 days of completion. The project must be voluntary, on the approved list and meet County requirements. Check eligibility with the County before planning around the credit.
Can I point a downspout at my neighbor's yard?
Keep runoff on your own property and away from your neighbor's yard. The County suggests ending discharge points at least 10 feet from a property line next to a street or sidewalk, where the water can soak into the ground. The right location depends on the site.
Get a free estimate.
We clean gutters around Annapolis and on Kent Island, so the water gets as far as the downspout. Estimates are free.
