Downspouts that dump rainwater right at the base of your exterior walls can create serious drainage problems. As water pools and soaks into the soil, it can eventually permeate the soil and work its way into the crawlspace or basement. With this in mind, it is important to direct rainwater away from the house.

The best way to do this is to use a downspout diverter. These simple devices fit onto the bottom of downspouts and--at least in the case of the one shown here--unfurl to carry water several feet away from the house. This one, called an "automatic recoiling downspout" is a simple and inexpensive model.

Another option is to bury 4-inch-diameter ABS drain pipe under the ground--but keep in mind that this may be more likely to clog-up over time.

downspout diverter