What Can Go Wrong Without Proper Downpipes?

When most homeowners think about protecting their property from water damage, they focus on their roof or foundation — but the real unsung hero of your home’s exterior is the downpipe.

Downpipes (also called downspouts) are the vertical pipes that carry rainwater from your eavestroughs (gutters) safely away from your home’s foundation. While small in appearance, their role is absolutely critical.

If your downpipes are missing, poorly installed, or clogged, you could face serious and costly problems. At Reynolds Brothers Exteriors, we’ve seen firsthand how much damage can be caused when downpipes aren’t doing their job.

Here’s what can go wrong — and why it’s worth getting your downpipes professionally installed and maintained.

1. Foundation Damage

One of the most common and severe issues caused by missing or failing downpipes is foundation damage.

Without a proper way to direct water away, rain and melting snow will collect around your home’s base. Over time, that moisture can:

• Erode the soil, causing uneven settling
  
  
• Crack the foundation due to repeated freeze-thaw cycles (especially common in Barrie winters)
  
  
• Allow water to seep into your basement, causing flooding or mold
  
  

The Fix: Downpipes should extend at least 4–6 feet away from your foundation or connect to proper drainage systems like a weeping tile or underground pipe.

2. Basement Flooding

If water pools around the foundation, it’s only a matter of time before it finds its way into your basement.

Inadequate or poorly placed downpipes are a leading cause of basement leaks in older homes, especially in neighborhoods with poor grading.

Basement flooding doesn't just damage floors and furniture — it can lead to:

• Mold and mildew
  
  
• Electrical hazards
  
  
• Costly cleanup and insurance claims
  
  

3. Soil Erosion and Landscaping Damage

Improper water flow can ruin your yard or garden.

Without downpipes to guide rainwater, water may:

• Wash away topsoil
  
  
• Kill plants and shrubs
  
  
• Create deep grooves in your lawn or flowerbeds
  
  
• Undermine patio stones or walkways
  
  

This type of erosion can affect your home’s curb appeal and property value, not to mention your landscaping investment.

4. Siding, Fascia, and Soffit Damage

When rainwater overflows from clogged gutters or backs up due to missing downpipes, it can start to run down the side of your house.

That leads to:

• Stained or rotting siding
  
  
• Warped fascia boards
  
  
• Soffit mold and mildew
  
  
• Paint peeling or bubbling
  
  

All of these issues reduce the lifespan of your home’s exterior — and can be easily avoided with proper downpipe drainage.

5. Ice Dams and Winter Hazards

In colder months, Ontario homeowners are at risk of ice dams — thick ridges of ice that form at the edge of the roof.

When water can’t drain properly because of blocked or missing downpipes, it can refreeze at the roofline, leading to:

• Roof damage
  
  
• Gutter separation
  
  
• Dangerous icicles near entrances and walkways
  
  

Proper downpipes, paired with clear gutters and good attic ventilation, help keep water flowing away from your home — even in freezing temperatures.

6. Pest and Insect Problems

Standing water near your home can become a breeding ground for insects like:

• Mosquitoes
  
  
• Ants
  
  
• Termites
  
  
• Wasps
  
  

Moist environments also attract rodents and raccoons, who may burrow near your foundation or try to enter your attic or soffit areas.

What Makes a Downpipe “Proper”?

Not all downpipes are created equal. A well-functioning downpipe system should:

• Be correctly sized to handle your roof’s water load
  
  
• Be placed at low points in your eavestroughs for maximum flow
  
  
• Extend far enough from your foundation to prevent pooling
  
  
• Connect to a drainage system (splash pads, extensions, underground pipes)
  
  
• Be securely attached and free of clogs or debris
  
  

At Reynolds Brothers Exteriors, we customize each downpipe system based on your home’s layout, grading, and water management needs.

Prevent Problems Before They Start

If you’ve noticed water pooling near your foundation, peeling paint, or overflowing eavestroughs, your downpipes might be to blame — or missing altogether.

Let us take a look.

We offer full eavestrough and downpipe installations in Barrie and surrounding areas, and we specialize in creating systems that work in Ontario’s harsh climate — year-round.

Protect Your Home With Proper Drainage

Downpipes may not be the most exciting part of your home’s exterior, but they’re one of the most important. When they’re working properly, you won’t even notice them. When they’re not, the problems can be big — and expensive.

Contact Reynolds Brothers Exteriors today for a free assessment, and make sure your downpipes are doing their job before the next rainfall or snowfall hits.