Downspouts & Gutter Drainage in Wichita, KS

Why the bottom of the downspout matters most

A gutter system concentrates the water from an entire roof plane into a few downspouts. If those downspouts end in a short elbow right next to the house, the system has simply moved the problem from the whole eave to a few spots at the foundation. On the clay soils common around Wichita, repeated soaking at the same corner can contribute to settling, cracked flatwork and wet basements.

The building code adopted in Wichita and Sedgwick County (Wichita-Sedgwick County Unified Building and Trade Code (2018 IRC adoption and permit exemptions)) includes the International Residential Code's roof drainage section, which says that where expansive or collapsible soils are known to exist, roof drainage must be discharged at least 5 feet from foundation walls or into an approved drainage system (ICC, 2018 International Residential Code, Section R801.3 roof drainage). Even where it is not strictly required, carrying water several feet away and onto ground that slopes away from the house is a good rule.

Downspout sizes and placement

• 2x3-inch downspouts are standard with 5-inch gutters on many homes.
• 3x4-inch downspouts carry much more water, clog less often and are common with 6-inch gutters or on busy corners of 5-inch systems.
• Round downspouts pair with half-round gutters, often in copper.
• Placement follows the water: near corners, at both ends of long runs, and close to valleys that dump concentrated water. Downspouts should land where the ground slopes away and where the discharge will not cross a walkway that freezes in winter.

If a gutter overflows even when clean, adding a downspout or upsizing the existing ones is often the simplest fix. See 5-inch vs. 6-inch gutters and why gutters overflow.

Options at the bottom of the downspout

The EPA's Soak Up the Rain program describes redirecting downspouts to lawns, gardens and rain barrels instead of paved surfaces, while noting that local rules and site conditions matter (EPA Soak Up the Rain, disconnect and redirect downspouts). The guide downspout drainage options compares extensions, buried lines, French drains and rain barrels in more detail.

Clogged downspouts

Downspouts clog most often at the top outlet and at the elbows. Signs include a gutter that overflows near the outlet, a downspout that trickles during heavy rain, or a gurgling sound. Clearing usually means working debris out from the top, flushing from the bottom with a hose, or taking an elbow apart. Underground lines can clog with leaves and silt or get crushed by roots and vehicles; a line that backs up into the downspout during rain is a sign. A strainer or guard at the outlet helps, and so does regular gutter cleaning.

Crushed, loose and disconnected downspouts

Mowers, trimmers, vehicles and hail all take a toll. Crushed sections restrict flow and should be replaced. Loose straps let downspouts swing away from the wall in wind, and disconnected elbows dump water right against the foundation. These are usually quick fixes; see gutter repair.

Water and your neighbors

Pointing downspouts at a neighbor's yard, a public sidewalk or a shared driveway can create problems, especially when water freezes. Many cities have rules about where roof drainage may go. Check with your city if you are planning a buried line that daylights near a property line or curb.

Requesting an estimate

Tell us where water collects, which downspouts overflow or drain poorly, and whether there are existing underground lines. Photos taken during a rain are especially helpful. We'll call you back to talk through options. Published price ranges for downspouts and extensions are in the cost guide.

Grading: the other half of drainage

Even a long downspout extension does little good if the ground slopes back toward the house. Soil settles next to foundations over time, especially around newer homes where backfill was loose. Building codes generally call for the ground to slope away from the foundation for the first several feet. Low spots, flower bed edging that traps water and mulch piled against siding all work against drainage. Fixing grade is landscaping work rather than gutter work, but it is worth checking whenever downspouts are moved.

Winter and downspouts

Downspouts that discharge across a driveway or sidewalk create ice patches on cold mornings. Wichita's average freeze window runs from late October into early April (Wikipedia: Wichita, Kansas (climate)). Routing downspouts to lawn areas, using buried lines where water can daylight on grass, and keeping outlets clear of ice dams all help.

What does it cost? See published national ranges for downspouts and extensions in the gutter cost guide. They are general industry estimates, not quotes.

Related guides

• How Often Should You Clean Gutters in Wichita?
• Why Do My Gutters Overflow? 8 Causes and Fixes
• Where Should Gutters and Downspouts Be Placed?
• Alternatives to Gutters: What Works and What Does Not
• Downspout Drainage Options: Extensions, Buried Lines, French Drains and Rain Barrels