The downspout boot, covered elsewhere in this archive, directs water away from the foundation. What happens at that point of discharge — whether the water simply erodes the soil or is managed correctly into the landscape — is a separate specification, and one frequently ignored until a trench has eroded itself into the lawn.
A granite or bluestone splash block is a simple, flat or slightly concave stone set at the downspout discharge point, spreading and slowing the water's impact to prevent soil erosion. A rain chain — an alternative to a closed downspout for certain applications — is a decorative chain of cups or links that guides water down visibly from gutter to ground, used in place of a portion of enclosed downspout where the visual and auditory effect is desired.
Splash blocks: cut granite or bluestone, typically 18 to 24 inches long, slightly dished or angled to direct water away from the foundation while dispersing its force. Rain chains: copper or galvanized steel chains with cup elements, hung from a modified gutter outlet in place of the upper portion of a downspout, typically discharging into a basin or splash block below rather than directly to grade.
A splash block correctly placed and sloped prevents the soil erosion and small trenching that occurs at unprotected downspout discharge points over time. A rain chain functions adequately in light to moderate rain but can overflow in heavy downpours if not paired with an overflow plan — typically a basin sized for the roof area it serves.
A stone splash block is correct and traditional at every downspout discharge point in a New England landscape, protecting the soil and the foundation perimeter from erosion. A rain chain is a specific, more decorative choice appropriate at a visible architectural location — a porch corner, an entry — where the visual and sound effect of the falling water is part of the design intent, not at every downspout.
Splash blocks from stone yards as a stock or easily cut item. Rain chains from architectural hardware and garden suppliers, in copper for the correct material match with a copper gutter system.
Cut granite or bluestone splash block, minimum 18 inches, at every downspout discharge point on traditional New England properties to prevent soil erosion. Copper rain chain as an optional decorative substitute for downspout sections at visible architectural locations only, discharging into a properly sized basin. The splash block is the default; the rain chain is the exception.
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