Downspout Height????

[Kip McCullough]

Today I came across this situation with the downspouts stopping about 3-4 feet above grade. Is this just an esthetics issue or something that should be called out in my inspection report? It almost seems that when the roofing subcontractor was estimating the job he did not take into account that the houses would be at different elevation heights in the development.

[Jay Moge]

I've seen down spouts that high too and i beleive that as long as the elbo at the bottom still kicks the water away from the house, it should work fine. provided that the grade slopes away and all that. If you had a downspout that went right to 6" above grade, had the splash block below that and everything, if the slope is wrong, they're getting we.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Down spout 3-4 feet off the ground, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I don't think I would like to keep repairing the damage to the lawn from the splash.

Marcel

[Claude Lawrenson]

Not to forget about the potential damage to the foundation itself. In cases such as this, it is not uncommon to see foundation damage or freeze-thaw damage (in freeze temperature regions) to the exposed face of the foundations, develop over time.

[W. Michael Chris]

Claude:

Originally Posted by clawrenson

Member of many home inspection associations, holder of various positions with said associations. Educator, inspector, curriculum developer, vendor of inspection products and services, and also may, might or could be associated with people and associations of question. Not to mention generally assumed to be guilty by association through and with my associates, regardless whether it is true or not.

All I can say is: WOW - I like it.

[rwand1]

That is unacceptable, 3-4 above grade. Depending how much roof surface being drained there could be considerable amounts of water in heavy rains. I have seen sevre soil erosion and washout as a result of improper downspout discharge. I always recommend minimum 6' distance out from the house.

[ccbrands1]

Originally Posted by rwand1

That is unacceptable, 3-4 above grade. Depending how much roof surface being drained there could be considerable amounts of water in heavy rains. I have seen sevre soil erosion and washout as a result of improper downspout discharge. I always recommend minimum 6' distance out from the house.

ditto

[Russel Ray]

Ditto the ditto.

[John J. Passailaigue, Jr.]

Ditto to the third power!