How to divert water away from a house without gutters?

Author: Dr. Shayne Hegmann  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

Rain chains are an efficient, attractive alternative to traditional gutters. Used for centuries in Japan, rain chains cascade rainwater from the roof to the ground via hanging chains or cups. Installing them on the exterior of your home can solve your rain dispersal problems while creating a beautiful water feature.

How to redirect water without gutters?

This might sound strange. But you can make makeshift gutter with a stone and a piece of string or chain. Tie the stone to chain or string and throw it on the roof so the chain hangs all the way to the bottom. The water will flow on the chain and not splash so hard on the ground.

How do I divert standing water away from my house?

Gutters installed around entire house. 2. French drains ran from each gutter into your yard. 3. Install sump pump. 4. Install moisture vapor barrier under your house. 5. Add top soil to your beds to prevent water pooling and flowing backwards toward your house foundation and in low lying spots in your yard. 6.

How to catch water without gutters?

Use a Tarp

Tarps are flexible, affordable and easy to set up for rainwater collection. The tarp can be spread out to create an ample collection surface. But it should be draped so that all of the runoff flows to one narrow opening.

What happens if a house has no gutters?

A home with no gutters enables water to pour directly down from your roof to your foundation. Any small cracks or pores in your foundation can let that water into your basement, which causes flooding.

Keep Water OUT of Your House: Installing a Landscape Drain - The Great Outdoors 6701

Is there an alternative to gutters?

Drip Path

Looking to replace the traditional gutter system at your place? Enter the concept of a drip path. Drip paths, simply put, are a smart method that directs rainwater away from the foundation of your home without using gutters. It's essentially a narrow strip filled with gravel or rock bordering your home.

Can you sell a house without gutters?

A prospective buyer who sees a house without gutters, or with a faulty gutter system, can very easily be turned off and won't even continue to look at the rest of the house. Leaky, clogged gutters, or even worse, no gutters at all and a virtual waterfall off the edge of your roof, leave an unfortunate first impression.

How do I divert my house gutter water away?

How to Divert Water from the House
  1. Maintain your gutter systems with regular cleanings twice per year. ...
  2. Install downspout extensions. ...
  3. Properly grade the ground around your home. ...
  4. Dig a trench for a French drain. ...
  5. Build a rain barrel for your backyard. ...
  6. Create a rain garden that absorbs excess gutter water.

What is the cheapest way to collect rainwater?

Rain Barrels – This is the simplest and most affordable way to harvest rainwater. You simply place barrels or water tanks below the downspouts of your gutter system. This tank can be connected to a pipe for drip irrigation. Dry System – A dry system uses a larger storage container for the water.

Can you use rain chains without gutters?

Rain chains can be used without gutters, but they do depend upon a vertical water source to function most efficiently. If water is arching off the roof, the chain may or may not catch or transport all of the water in both light and heavy rainfall conditions.

Do rocks help keep water away from foundation?

One way to ensure that water drains away from your home is by landscaping in a strategic manner. By utilizing rocks for drainage, you can keep water away from your foundation and your home.

How to build a berm to divert water?

Create an outline of your berm and then dig out all sod and topsoil within the outline. Place a fill such as gravel or rubble in the hole and build up the berm to desired size, slope and shape. Keep fill about a foot or so away from the border of your berm as this area will be filled with topsoil.

What are the examples of water diversion?

Water is diverted using instream barriers such as dams , weirs, culverts, canals, and pipes that are used in the construction process. Water may either be diverted into or away from a waterway. This can significantly change flow and water levels.

How do I reroute water in my yard?

Redirect Runoff
  1. Swale. A swale is a wide, shallow ditch in which water can flow to a suitable outlet. ...
  2. French Drain. A French drain is an underground drainage device. ...
  3. Catch Basin. A catch basin is a collection box with a slotted drain at the top and a drainage outlet at the bottom. ...
  4. Splash Blocks and Downspout Extensions.

What is a gutter diverter?

Diverters/splash guards are pieces of material that are installed on gutters in certain areas of the gutter system. They're installed in valleys, also known as corners, and help keep water flowing through the gutter system.

How to not have gutters?

Try a louver system if you have an overhanging roof.

Attach these directly to the siding of your house just underneath your roof, then watch as the rain droplets get pushed out and away from your foundation. These systems are nice because they can't clog up with leaves or debris like classic gutters do.

Why is collecting rainwater illegal in some states?

The main reason some states restrict collection is that too much rainwater harvesting can disrupt the cycle of rainfall seeping back into the earth. It is recommended to check your state's laws regarding water use for further details.

Which is the cheapest method of rainwater harvesting?

Firstly, divert rainwater from your terrace into a drum in the most economical way using a basic cloth filter that will eliminate big impurities. Then, transfer the collected water into the overhead tank using a portable pump to keep the water clean.

How to keep rain water from stagnating?

While it is important to keep the rain tank closed, it is also important to allow the tank to breathe by not being completely sealed and airtight. Allowing a rain tank to breathe will help to prevent the water from going stale and reduce the chance of stagnation.

How do you control water without gutters?

Read on how to handle rainwater runoff without gutters.
  1. Louver System. Louvers are angled pieces of metal or wood that are installed at the edge of your roof. ...
  2. Drip Path. ...
  3. Rain Chain. ...
  4. French Drains. ...
  5. Grading. ...
  6. Channel Drains. ...
  7. Rain Gardens. ...
  8. Let Smart Florida Gutters Help You Find the Best Solution For Your Home.

What is a splash block?

Splash blocks are devices manufactured from concrete or plastic that work to channel water away from your foundation. The splash block is typically rectangular and has a close-ended side positioned underneath your downspout.

What is the problem with underground downspouts?

However, there are some common issues caused by buried downspouts that homeowners should be aware of. One of the most common problems with buried downspouts is clogging. Over time, debris such as leaves, dirt, and twigs can accumulate in the pipe, leading to blockages.

How long can a home go without gutters?

Northern homes, for example, can remain habitable for up to a year or two without gutters, but that doesn't mean there won't be serious consequences. Even if your house seems fine after six months, problems can slowly brew. Soil displacement, foundation issues, and wood rot are all long-term risks.

Why would a house be built without gutters?

A house on a hill is not as likely to need gutters, because the rain is naturally going to flow away. A home surrounded by concrete may also not need gutters.

What are the consequences of no gutters?

The Drawbacks of a Home with No Gutters
  • Your Property Is More Susceptible to Erosion. Building code dictates that the grading around homes slant away from the foundation. ...
  • You Might See Landscaping Damage. ...
  • Basements Can Flood. ...
  • Siding Can Stain or Rot. ...
  • What Should You Do?

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