"French drains are solid too, but curious if anyone's tried pairing them with gutter extensions or splash blocks?"
I've actually combined French drains with gutter extensions on a couple of properties. The extensions help direct water further away, reducing the load on the drain itself—especially useful during heavy rains. Splash blocks are decent, but I've found extensions more reliable long-term. Has anyone experimented with underground downspout extensions? Seems like they'd be effective, but I'm wondering about potential clogging or maintenance issues...
I've used underground downspout extensions before, and they do work pretty well at keeping water away from foundations. But you're right about the clogging—leaves and debris can build up over time, especially if you have trees nearby. I ended up installing leaf guards on my gutters, which helped a lot. Still, every couple years I have to flush them out just to be safe... bit of a hassle, but worth it overall.
I've had pretty good luck with underground extensions myself, but yeah, the clogging can get annoying fast if you're near trees. Leaf guards were a lifesaver for me too—though I still find myself up on a ladder once in a while, fishing out random tennis balls and frisbees my kids manage to toss up there... how does that even happen? Anyway, flushing them every couple years isn't too bad considering the peace of mind it gives. Beats dealing with flooded basements any day.
I can definitely relate to the tennis balls and frisbees—my kids have somehow managed to get a kite stuck in our gutters, which was quite the adventure to remove. Regarding your underground extensions, it's great you've found success with them. In my experience with an older historic home, I've learned that combining underground drainage with strategic landscaping can really amplify the effectiveness. Planting moisture-loving shrubs or perennials near downspout exits helps absorb excess water naturally and adds aesthetic value too.
Leaf guards are indeed helpful, though I've found that periodic inspections are still necessary—especially after storms or windy days. But you're right, occasional maintenance beats dealing with water damage any day. It's encouraging to hear others taking proactive steps; preserving our homes is truly a labor of love, but the peace of mind is priceless.
We had a similar kite incident—only ours ended up tangled in the neighbor's satellite dish. Awkward conversation followed, haha. Agree on the leaf guards; helpful but definitely not foolproof. Landscaping tip sounds good, though I worry about plant costs adding up... budget homeowner problems.
