Why rural properties are different
Many rural homes rely on a septic system for wastewater and a private well for drinking water. Both are sensitive to water in the wrong place. A roof sheds a large volume of water in every storm, and gutters concentrate it at a few downspouts. Where those downspouts discharge determines whether that water soaks in harmlessly, floods a drainfield or runs toward a wellhead. Planning discharge points is the most important part of a gutter job on a rural property.
Keep roof water off the septic drainfield
A septic drainfield (leach field) treats wastewater as it moves slowly through the soil. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises keeping roof drains, sump pumps and other rainwater drainage systems away from the drainfield area, because excess water slows down or stops the treatment process. A saturated drainfield can lead to sewage surfacing in the yard or backing up into the house.
In practice, that means:
- Know where the septic tank and drainfield are before planning downspouts. Your county health department or the system’s installer may have a site plan.
- Do not point downspouts toward the drainfield or let them discharge uphill of it, where water will flow across it.
- Do not connect downspouts to the septic system.
- Route water toward a vegetated area, swale or ditch that leads away from the drainfield.
Keep runoff away from the well
A private well draws water from underground, and surface water that pools around the wellhead can carry contaminants down along the casing. The EPA’s guidance for private well owners says to slope the area around the well to drain surface runoff away from it. Downspouts should never discharge toward a wellhead or into a low spot near it. If the well is close to the house, choose downspout locations on the other side, or carry the water past the well in a buried line that discharges downhill and well away.
Read the land
Rural properties often have more slope, more variation and more open space than city lots. Before choosing discharge points:
- Watch where water flows in a heavy rain.
- Note low spots, ditches and natural swales.
- Locate the well, septic tank, drainfield and any buried lines or utilities.
- Look for erosion below existing downspouts.
The best discharge point is usually downhill from the house, away from the well and drainfield, onto vegetation or a stable channel that can carry water further away. See gutters and landscaping.
Discharge options
Extensions and splash blocks
Simple extensions carry water several feet from the foundation onto ground that slopes away. On large rural lots, longer extensions or flexible pipe can carry water farther.
Buried lines
Buried lines can carry water past obstacles to a discharge point downhill. In cold climates, lines must slope steadily so they drain and do not freeze. See underground downspout drainage.
Rain gardens and swales
A rain garden or vegetated swale away from the well and drainfield lets roof water soak in slowly. See downspout disconnection programs for how cities use the same idea.
Rain barrels and cisterns
Collecting roof water for gardens or livestock reduces runoff. Overflow from a barrel or cistern still needs a safe discharge point. See rainwater harvesting from gutters.
Gravel driveways and roads
Many rural homes have gravel driveways that wash out where roof water runs across them. A downspout that discharges toward a driveway can carve ruts and carry gravel into ditches. Route discharge away from the drive, or use a culvert or buried line to carry it under the drive to a ditch or swale. That protects the driveway and keeps sediment out of nearby streams.
Outbuildings
Barns, shops, machine sheds and garages have large roofs that shed a lot of water, often onto gravel or dirt next to doors. Gutters on outbuildings keep water and winter ice away from doors and concrete aprons and protect wood siding and posts. Plan their discharge the same way: away from wells, drainfields and the house. See gutters for garages, sheds and outbuildings.
Basements and crawl spaces
Rural homes often have basements or crawl spaces and sometimes sump pumps. The same rule applies as in town: carry roof water away from the foundation. If you have a sump pump, its discharge also belongs away from the drainfield and well. See downspouts and your foundation and wet basement? check gutters first.
Trees and debris
Rural homes are often surrounded by woods. Leaves, needles and seeds fill gutters quickly, and the farther the house is from neighbors, the less likely anyone notices a clog. Guards that fasten down and downspout strainers reduce clogs. See are gutter guards worth it? and downspout strainers and leaf catchers.
Fire country
Many rural homes are in the wildland-urban interface. Metal gutters and metal guards resist embers better than plastic, and keeping gutters clear of dry debris reduces ignition risk. See gutters and wildfire embers.
What to tell the installer
- Show them where the well, septic tank and drainfield are, or give them the site plan.
- Point out low spots, ditches and erosion.
- Ask where each downspout will discharge and why.
- Ask for downspout locations to be written on the quote or a sketch.
- Include outbuildings if they need gutters, to save a second visit.
A good installer will ask about the well and septic before you mention them. If they do not, that is worth noting. See how to choose a gutter contractor.
Related guides
For homes that sit empty for part of the year, see gutters for seasonal and vacation homes. For window wells near downspouts, see gutters and window wells. For entrances and walks that ice up, see downspouts and icy walkways.