Drainage Solutions

Spring has sprung (almost) in 2022 and with it come the phone calls and emails of people contacting us to provide quotes on their homes for eavestrough, fascia, soffit, and siding. 

Since my wife and I started this company some 17 years ago, I have been to several thousand homes quoting jobs for people. Some very small jobs and some very large. With every home comes the challenge of analyzing the grading of the landscape and where the best location is for downpipes so water can drain away from the house and not pool next to it.  This is called "Positive Drainage" Positive drainage is simply the high point of your soil line being against the house and the low point away from your house so water can drain away from the foundation of your home.  Having proper grading and getting water away from your home is imperative!

I constantly encounter issues where downspout placement is inadequate or where downspouts are not placed in the correct areas.  This issue is most common around high traffic walkways, porches and driveways.  Downspouts need to be placed in areas where they will not allow water from your eavestrough to drain onto these areas.  Sometimes this requires adapting your existing downspouts to steer water away form these areas.  Many homeowners have neglected downspouts located in bad areas for years.  This can eventually lead to erosion in various parts of your property, wash out of soil and gravel and even water making its way through foundation cracks and into your basement.....and anyone who has experienced it can tell you water in your basement is NOT fun! 

When I a with a homeowner, I always discuss trying to place downspouts in an area where it will serve the property best. I am always looking for that positive drainage either at a front or back lawn that has good drainage, or a grade with a nearby ravine (like I have at my house), or into a well sloped garden. However there are some houses who have 3 entire sides covered in concrete and wood decks so trying to get water from the eavestroughs to the ground via the downpipes and away is impossible.

This is when I generally recommend to people something most have never thought about and that's taking the downpipe over the walkway about 7' above the ground, over the walkway and then down on the other side of the walkway or driveway. This way you can walk right underneath it. However, when I explain it to people, they initially imagine a pipe dangling in mid air. Now, I have seen that and done it for people using just a simple 4x4 post to anchor it to on the other side of the walkway. It certainly is not the most aesthetic part of the house!  But there are other ways that hide the downpipe and look beautiful!  I always recommend to people that they build a beautiful arbour to hide and support the downpipe. Here are some pictures below:

These solutions work well and most importantly they get the roof water away from the foundation and walkway.

If you would like a quote for eavestrough, fascia, soffit or siding, please contact us at 905-966-2564 or visit our website at https://theeavestroughcompany.com