The gutters installed on your home's roof are important as they catch and divert rainwater from your home's roof to keep your home interior dry, but they are not the only part of your home's drainage system. The downspouts and diverters installed along with the gutters help keep your home's basement and foundation dry by preventing over-saturation of the soil around your home. Here are some additions you can add onto your gutters and downspouts to help protect your home from interior moisture damage.

Rain Barrel

A first way to prevent soil erosion from occurring at the bottom of your gutter's downspouts is to install rain barrels beneath the end of your downspout. This collects this water from each rain storm, then it can be used to irrigate and water your yard and garden's vegetation. You can buy a decorative rain barrel that is equipped to collect and water your plants, or you can make your own with a large bucket or barrel. Attach a nozzle and hose to the base of the barrel to use the water for irrigation in your yard.

Rain Chain

A rain chain is a decorative method to help guide the flow of water from your roof's gutters, as it is attached directly onto your gutters. Instead of a downspout, you would attach a rain chain to the gutter's exit point. Along with the rain chain's ability to slow the water, it creates the sound of calming flowing water as it provides a way to drain water from your roof.

Rain chains come in a variety of styles and made from various materials, such as copper, steel, glass, and wood, and consist of a series of objects, such as cups or links, strung down the length of the chain. The rain chain slows the falling of rainwater from the gutter to the soil below, where you can catch it in, for example, a rain barrel or into a ground level drain connected to a dry well buried nearby in your yard.

Splash Block

A splash block is a traditional way to prevent erosion from occurring below your downspout and there are many versions you can choose from. You can install a basic concrete or stone splash block to catch the falling water from your downspout, or you can use a length of plastic tubing to deliver the rainwater to another area in your yard. If you are concerned about the diverter getting in the way of outdoor activities, you can install a roll-up diverter, which unrolls when it fills with rainwater.

Whatever the option you choose to divert or catch rainwater, you can help to keep your basement or foundation dry.