When the first big storm of the season rolls in, your gutters, downspouts, and drains all need to be working together. If even one part of the system backs up, water begins collecting where it doesn’t belong. That can mean damage you could have prevented with a little early prep. This guide from Reed's Plumbing & Excavating in Springfield, MO, walks you through what to check before fall rains hit so that your home stays dry where it matters most.
Why Drainage Problems Often Show Up in Fall
Summer storms tend to be fast and scattered, while fall storms stick around. That longer rainfall can overwhelm drainage systems that look fine during short showers. Leaves fall into gutter channels and cover yard drains. Tree roots dig deeper and closer to underground lines. Ground that stayed dry all summer suddenly becomes saturated, and water looks for the fastest escape route. If your system has a weak spot, the shift in seasons usually finds it.
You might notice puddles forming near your home after a mild rain or damp corners that never dry up fully. Those are early signs that your drainage is slowing down. Some homeowners first catch the issue when basement walls feel damp or water creeps toward the door. By then, it’s not just a gutter problem or a clogged grate. Everything from your downspouts to your foundation grading works together, so a backup in one place puts pressure on all the rest.
How Your Home Moves Water Away
Most homes rely on a combination of visible and buried components to control runoff. Gutters catch roof water and direct it into downspouts. Those downspouts should send water at least a few feet away from the structure, either through extensions or underground pipes. Surface grading around your house should slope down gently to guide water toward the street or a yard drain. Deeper drains and sump systems manage groundwater that rises after several days of rain.
If any part of this chain gets blocked or shifted, water starts pooling in places it shouldn’t. Leaves stuck in the top of a downspout may look harmless, but they can back up the entire system. A settled section of soil can change the pitch of your grading just enough to keep water from flowing. That’s when it starts sneaking into basements, crawlspaces, and window wells. Fixing it doesn’t always mean a full overhaul; it starts with knowing which part is failing.
Why Gutters and Downspouts Matter More Than You Think
A lot of water hits your roof in one storm. Without a working gutter system, all that runoff falls right at the base of your home. The ground gets soft, and water starts seeping into cracks. When gutters fill with debris or sag in the middle, they stop channeling water the way they should. That leads to overflow right near the foundation, which causes erosion and invites water into the basement walls or slab joints.
Downspouts carry that water away, but only if they’re connected properly and angled correctly. Sometimes they’re missing extensions, and water just dumps right at the base of the home. That might not show up as damage in dry months, but it becomes obvious during longer rain events. If you stand outside during a storm and watch your gutters overflow or your downspouts splash in place, it’s time to take a closer look. That small fix makes a big difference in preventing larger drainage issues.
Yard Drains and Surface Grading
A lot of homeowners assume that water pooling in the yard is normal after a storm. It may be, depending on your soil and the shape of your property. Still, standing water that lasts more than a few hours usually points to grading or drainage issues. Lawns that slope toward the home, rather than away from it, cause water to collect near the structure instead of running off. Over time, that softens the soil, which affects the foundation and attracts pests.
Catch basins or French drains often help when the slope alone isn’t enough. These systems collect water from the surface or subsurface and redirect it to a safer spot, usually toward the street or a dry well. If your property already has one of these systems, make sure it’s not blocked by debris. Pop-up emitters or grated openings can get covered by grass, mulch, or leaves.
Underground Drainage Lines and Where They Fail
Some of the most frustrating drainage issues happen underground. You might have buried lines that connect your downspouts to the storm drain or to a discharge point further away from your home. These lines work great until they don’t. Roots from nearby trees and shrubs sneak in through small cracks or joints. Dirt settles inside after a bad clog. Or in some cases, the pipe collapses and stops working altogether. Since you can’t see it, the first sign might be water overflowing at the downspout or seeping up through the yard.
Cleaning out these lines usually requires a plumber with a drain snake or hydro jetting equipment. If they’re cracked or crushed, you’ll need a replacement section. It’s not always obvious where the problem lies until someone runs a camera through the pipe. If fall rains are coming soon and your gutters are draining slowly, it may be worth checking if the underground lines are still clear and intact.
How a Sump Pump Fits Into the Equation
If your home has a basement or crawlspace, there’s a good chance it relies on a sump pump. This pump sits in a basin at the lowest part of your foundation and kicks on when groundwater starts rising. It keeps your lower level from flooding during heavy rains, especially if the water table is high in your area. Like any mechanical device, though, it needs to be tested and maintained to work when you need it most.
You’ll want to check that the pump turns on when the water in the pit rises, that the discharge pipe is clear, and that the float switch is moving freely. If it’s been a while since your last big rain, pour a bucket of water into the pit and see if the pump responds. If it doesn’t, or if it sounds strange, it’s worth having someone inspect it before storm season. Fall rain doesn’t wait for repairs, and one missed pump cycle can mean water indoors.
Storm Drain Access and Responsibility
Some properties have direct connections to the city’s storm system, while others rely on open ditches, culverts, or swales to move water away. It helps to know which one you have. If your downspout connects to an underground pipe, you may be sending water into a municipal system. If you have a swale along the edge of your property, that’s likely designed to carry runoff through the neighborhood naturally.
While city crews maintain public storm drains and larger pipes, you’re usually responsible for what happens on your side of the connection. That includes keeping grates clear, ensuring your pipes don’t dump debris into the system, and addressing any backflow or pooling on your lawn. Before fall rains roll in, walk around and take note of anything that looks blocked, sunken, or overflowing.
Schedule Your Fall Drainage Checkup Today
If you’ve spotted soggy patches near the foundation, slow-moving gutters, or water near basement windows, that’s your home trying to get your attention. A quick inspection can help prevent water damage and save you time later. Reed's Plumbing & Excavating also handles sump pump installation, yard drainage fixes, and French drain assessments. Book your fall drainage checkup today with Reed's Plumbing & Excavating and head into the season dry and ready.
Today!