Should you use a catch basin for downspout?

Author: Daija Koelpin  |  Last update: Friday, August 1, 2025

Over time, this water infiltrating the home can cause damage to many valuable things such as carpets, flooring and furniture. The best way to remedy this situation is by rerouting the downspout water using well-built catch basins, which are placed directly below the downspouts. It boosts your home's value.

Do you need a catch basin for downspout?

In summary, downspout catch basins are vital for home maintenance, offering a simple solution to complex water management challenges. They ensure that rainwater is effectively diverted away from the home, minimizing the risk of foundation damage and contributing to the overall well-being of the property.

What are the cons of a catch basin?

Cons. While catch basins are essential to stormwater management systems, they also come with some drawbacks. One of the most significant cons of a catch basin is that it can become clogged with debris over time, impeding water flow through the system and ultimately leading to flooding.

What is the best drainage for downspouts?

Buried drainage is the best drainage... just do it right. Stay away from corrugated since if anything clogs, PVC you can clear out... the other you can't.

What is the best way to disperse water from a downspout?

  1. Aluminum Extension. An aluminum extension is one of the most popular solutions for better downspout drainage and is definitely among the best gutter drainage ideas. ...
  2. Splash Blocks. Splash blocks are rectangular blocks that disperse the water flowing from your downspouts. ...
  3. Gutter Guards. ...
  4. Roll-Out Drain Sleeves. ...
  5. Rain Barrel.

Simple truth about catch basins

How do you prevent downspout washout?

Install a concrete or plastic splash block at the end of the pipe to direct flow away from the foundation wall and prevent erosion. If erosion still occurs, place stones along the flow path at the end of the splashguard to protect the underlying soil. The stones should be fist-sized or smaller.

How do you collect water from downspouts?

A rain barrel is a container that collects runoff from your home's gutter system, connecting to the downspout with a rain diverter or fitting under a modified downspout. A spigot or hose connector lets you drain the water for use around your landscape.

What is the best base for drainage?

Pea gravel is one of the best materials for landscape drainage because its small size allows for outstanding drainage. These rocks are only about ¾ inches in size. Pea gravel is available in a variety of shades, including brown, grey, blue, and red, making it a good choice for a number of different landscapes.

What is the best downspout extension?

If durability and long-term protection are your priorities, aluminum or galvanized steel extensions are the best choices. For ease of installation and adjustability, flexible or roll-out extensions are highly recommended.

Should I use a catch basin or French drain?

A good rule of thumb is to use a French drain if you don't have any standing water in your yard. If you have standing water, you may need to use a yard drain with a catch basin to reroute that water away from your home.

Should downspouts be connected to storm drains?

In many places it's not legal to connect a downspout (storm water drainage from a roof) to a sanitary sewer system. The reason is easy to understand: if storm water flows into a sanitary sewer system the sewage treatment plant may easily be overwhelmed by rainfall.

Does water sit in a catch basin?

Catch basins are boxes that are placed at various points in the ground of your property where standing water tends to accumulate. The top of the box comprises a grate – excess water and solid particulate drains from ground level through this grate into an underground box.

Should you drill holes in catch basin?

Leach Water from Bottom of Catch Basin

Drill out those holes to whatever size you want, but we encourage a small drill bit. If you drill too big of holes in your basin, and you have a lot of permeable soil, during a rain event, you'll be leaching a ton of water in this area.

Does a rainwater downpipe need a trap?

This prevents ground saturation and structural damage. Downpipes must discharge into an intermediary system such as a gully or trap before reaching the public drain. This setup helps manage water flow, reducing the risk of blockages or sewer overload.

What is the difference between a drainage basin and a catch basin?

A catch basin is an underground structure that collects and temporarily stores stormwater runoff, while a drain inlet is an opening or grate on the surface that allows water to enter the drainage system. The drain inlet directs water into the underground pipes or channels that lead to the stormwater catch basin.

What is best for drainage in a yard?

Our team at The Grounds Guys of Gettysburg wants to help you protect your landscape from excessive water and flooding with these attractive drainage ideas for your backyard.
  1. Utilize Plants and Mulch. ...
  2. Use Landscaping Rocks Under a Downspout. ...
  3. Dig Swales to Divert Rainwater. ...
  4. Incorporate Gravel in Edging. ...
  5. Design a Rain Garden.

What is the best sub base for drainage?

Available both as a granite or limestone, Type 3 Sub Base is widely used as a sub-base material for projects where a lower fine content is required for improved drainage. These include sports pitches, equestrian centres, driveway/hard standings and roads.

Does water drain through pea gravel?

The unique size and shape of pea gravel make it particularly efficient for drainage. Its loose, granular structure ensures that water can flow between the gaps with ease. When used as a top layer or foundation, pea gravel acts as a barrier, directing excess water away from areas prone to flooding or pooling.

What is the rule of thumb for downspouts?

Size of the Gutter Drainage Area: As a rule of thumb, one downspout should be placed every 25-35 linear feet of guttering. Depending on the local climate and rainfall intensity, some homeowners may need more downspouts. Many homeowners add extra downspouts to boost the drainage capacity of their gutters.

Is burying downspouts a good idea?

Installing a buried downspout drainage system is a great way to manage rainwater runoff and keep it away from your foundation. By minimizing the risk of flooding and soil erosion, buried downspouts offer a reliable, low-maintenance alternative to surface-level options.

What is the best pipe for burying downspouts?

Choosing the wrong downspout pipe, like a perforated pipe, defeats the purpose and allows water to leach through the line near the home's foundation. Instead, homeowners should use a solid corrugated pipe when burying downspouts. Solid pipe is the best option because it's flexible and can be run in one piece.

Which states are illegal to collect rainwater?

Colorado is the only state in the US where rainwater harvesting is completely illegal. Every house is allowed to collect two rain barrels with a capacity of up to 110 gallons, however, anything greater than that is considered a breach of the law.

Where should downspouts drain to?

Downspouts need to be emptied at least 10 feet away from the house. If you can't ensure this with the downspout, it's best to either relocate it or add an extension that will lead the water away from the house's foundation.

What is the best container to catch rainwater in?

One of the most versatile and economical choices for rainwater storage, polyethylene storage tanks can be installed above or below-ground. Polyethylene storage tanks are available for potable and non-potable applications and come in a wide range of capacities, shapes, and dimensions.

Previous article
What happens if I don't prewash fabric?
Next article
How to tell the difference between a thermocouple and a thermopile?