Splash Block
A splash block is a small trough or pad, usually concrete or plastic, that sits under a downspout outlet to catch roof water and send it away from the foundation. It protects the soil from erosion and moves water a short distance from the house, and it is the simplest downspout discharge fix.
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In depth
A splash block works only when it slopes away from the wall. One that has sunk, tilted, or been buried in mulch sends water back toward the foundation. In freeze-thaw weather, water pooling at a wall can seep into the basement or freeze against the foundation. Downspout extensions or buried drain lines move water farther away. Check blocks each fall and spring, and keep them clear of leaves and ice. They are also a good place to confirm a flushed downspout actually discharges.
How this shows up on our jobs
On gutter jobs we check that each downspout actually leaves water somewhere safe. A buried or tilted splash block is one of the most common problems we find at ground level.
Services where this matters
Frequently asked
- What is Splash Block?
- A splash block is a small trough or pad, usually concrete or plastic, that sits under a downspout outlet to catch roof water and send it away from the foundation. It protects the soil from erosion and moves water a short distance from the house, and it is the simplest downspout discharge fix.
- How does Splash Block show up on our jobs?
- On gutter jobs we check that each downspout actually leaves water somewhere safe. A buried or tilted splash block is one of the most common problems we find at ground level.
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Related terms
Downspout Extension
A downspout extension is a length of corrugated plastic pipe or aluminum channel attached to the bottom of a downspout outlet to direct water away from the foundation of the house. Standard downspout outlets terminate 6-12 inches above grade, which deposits water immediately against the foundation — exactly where it enters basements and crawl spaces. An extension routes that discharge 4-10 feet away from the house to a splash block, a dry well, or a buried drain tile.
Gutter Flushing
Gutter flushing is running water through gutters and downspouts after the debris is removed to confirm that everything drains. It washes out fine silt and shingle grit and reveals leaks, low spots, and clogged downspouts that dry cleaning would miss. It is the test that proves a gutter cleaning actually worked.
Gutter Pitch
Gutter pitch is the slight downward slope built into a gutter run so water flows toward the downspout instead of pooling. A common rule of thumb is about a quarter inch of drop for every ten feet of gutter. Too little pitch leaves standing water, and too much looks wrong and can overshoot the downspout.
Damp Proofing
Damp proofing is the application of a moisture-resistant coating or membrane to a masonry surface — most commonly foundation walls, brick veneer, and chimneys — to slow water absorption and reduce efflorescence, spalling, and interior moisture problems. It is less robust than true waterproofing (which forms a continuous, pressure-rated barrier) but more cost-effective and better-matched to surfaces that need to breathe.
Freeze-Thaw Cycle
A freeze-thaw cycle happens when temperatures swing above and below freezing, so water that soaked into a surface freezes, expands, and melts again. Each round pushes cracks wider. Wisconsin delivers many cycles every winter and spring, which is why exterior surfaces here wear out faster than in warmer climates.