Downspout and underground drain lines
Most foundation water starts on the roof. Here's how buried downspout lines move it somewhere harmless.
A roof sheds a lot of water in a hard Middle Tennessee storm, and every downspout concentrates it into one spot. When that spot is right next to the foundation, the soil there stays saturated, crawl spaces get wet and the backfill around the house settles. A buried drain line connects the downspout to solid pipe that carries the water out into the yard.
Solid pipe or perforated?
For roof water, solid pipe is usually the right choice. The goal is to carry water away, not leak it back into the soil next to the house. Perforated pipe belongs in a French drain, where the point is to collect groundwater. Mixing the two on one line is a common mistake.
Common outlets
- Pop-up emitters that open when water arrives and close when it stops
- Curb outlets through to the street gutter, where the city allows it
- Daylight outlets on a downhill slope or into an existing swale
- Dry wells where no other outlet is practical, with care in karst areas
Signs your lines are clogged or broken
- Water bubbling up at the downspout connection during storms
- Gutters overflowing even after they've been cleaned
- A soggy strip of lawn along the pipe route
- A pop-up emitter that never opens
Don't tie into the sewer
Roof water belongs in the stormwater system, not a sanitary sewer cleanout. If you're on Clarksville Gas & Water sewer and aren't sure what your downspouts are connected to, ask before anyone adds to an old line. Tree roots and crushed pipe are also common in older Clarksville neighborhoods, so a camera look at an existing line can show whether it can be cleared or should be replaced.
The contractor prices the job after walking the yard and seeing where the water comes from and where it can go. We don't quote prices, and any number given over the phone before a site visit is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
How far from the house should downspout water go?
Far enough that it can't flow back toward the foundation. The right distance depends on your slope, so ask the contractor to show you where it will drain.
Can old buried lines be cleaned instead of replaced?
Often, if the pipe isn't crushed. A camera inspection or jetting can show whether a line can be saved.
Related services
More background: Montgomery County drainage guide.
Standing water in the yard or a wet crawl space?
Call now and a local drainage contractor will help you figure out where the water is coming from.