Family‑owned since 1997Oregon CCB #233705Portland & SW Washington
Family‑owned since 1997 · Oregon CCB #233705
Family‑owned since 1997Oregon CCB #233705Portland & SW Washington
Family‑owned since 1997 · Oregon CCB #233705
Downspouts · Portland & SW Washington
We unclog, reattach, replace and reroute downspouts so roof water leaves the gutter and lands where the City of Portland says it should, away from your foundation and your neighbor.
Updated October 2026 · Rules sourced from the City of Portland · All Season Continuous Gutters & Roof Care
A downspout has one job: move everything the gutter collects down to the ground and away from the house. When it can’t, the gutter overflows no matter how clean it is.
Clogs pulled from outlets, elbows and the first bends, then every downspout run with water to prove it drains. Included in every gutter cleaning.
With cleaningNew straps into solid wood, crushed sections and split elbows replaced, joints sealed and screwed.
$95–$275 eachWorn 2×3 downspouts swapped for 3×4 where needles and heavy runoff keep choking the smaller pipe.
$95–$275 eachExtensions, elbows and splash blocks that carry water past the City’s setbacks without crossing a path or driveway.
On estimateA new downspout where one long run is trying to drain too much roof through a single corner.
On estimate| What you see | Likely cause | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Water sheets over the gutter right above the downspout | Clog at the outlet or the top elbow, often fir needles and roof grit | Clear and flow‑test the downspout; add a 3×4 if it keeps happening |
| Water pools or soil washes out at the base | No extension, or an extension that ends too close to the house | Add an extension or splash block that meets the City setbacks |
| Downspout hangs loose or rattles in the wind | Straps pulled out of soft siding or rotted trim | Re‑strap into solid wood and replace damaged sections |
| Water bubbles up where the downspout enters the ground | Clog or break in the buried line, or a full drywell | We clear the downspout and test the line; a broken or root‑blocked pipe needs a drain contractor with a camera |
| Leaks drip from the elbows and seams | Joints never sealed or screws backed out | Reseal and re‑fasten, or replace the elbow |
Where can a downspout drain in Portland? Onto your own landscaping, far enough from the house, the lot line and the sidewalk that the water soaks in instead of running somewhere it shouldn’t. Here is what the City of Portland asks for, and what we build to.
Discharge at least 6 feet from a basement and at least 2 feet from a crawlspace or slab.
The end of the extension stays 5 feet inside your line, 10 feet from a neighbor’s building and 3 feet from a public sidewalk.
No disconnecting on slopes over 10%. The landscape that takes the water must be at least 10% of the roof area draining to it.
No extensions across walkways, patios or driveways, and nothing within 10 feet of a retaining wall or onto a septic system or oil tank.
An extension or splash block needs no permit. A drywell needs no City permit on a single‑family lot, but underground pipe can need a plumbing permit.
In mandatory program areas, reconnecting a disconnected downspout to the combined sewer is prohibited without City approval under City Code 17.37.
Clean River Rewards: Portland homeowners and businesses that manage roof water on site can cut their stormwater fee by up to 35%. Disconnected downspouts draining to qualifying landscape, drywells and soakage trenches can count.
See if you qualifySources: City of Portland downspout disconnection guide · Portland City Code 17.37 · Portland drywell guidance · Clean River Rewards. Drainage questions: Portland Environmental Services, 503‑823‑5858. Background: how 56,000 disconnected downspouts keep 1.2 billion gallons out of Portland’s sewers.
A 3×4 downspout has twice the opening of a standard 2×3. Under Portland’s firs and maples that extra room is the difference between a downspout that passes a clump of needles and one that plugs at the first elbow.
We recommend 3×4 where a downspout drains a large roof plane or a valley, and anywhere trees drop debris into the gutter. Pair it with a 6‑inch gutter when the run is also overflowing.
Check your roof with the sizing calculator
The free virtual estimate tool prices downspout work from your address. Prefer a person? Book a time on our calendar, any hour of the day.
Questions & answers
Rules, costs and what to do when water backs up. Call the Wood Village office if you’re not sure.
Ask us a questionOnto your own landscaping, at least 6 feet from a basement or 2 feet from a crawlspace or slab, at least 5 feet from the property line, 10 feet from a neighbor’s building and 3 feet from a public sidewalk. The City of Portland publishes these setbacks in its downspout disconnection guide.
Not for an extension or splash block. A drywell on a single‑family lot needs no City permit, but installing underground pipe can require a plumbing permit.
Not in a mandatory disconnection area without City approval. Portland City Code 17.37 prohibits reconnecting a disconnected downspout to the combined sewer in those areas.
Downspout fixes run $95–$275 each, added to a repair visit that starts at $295. That covers re‑strapping, replacing crushed sections or elbows, and swapping a 2×3 for a 3×4.
The outlet or top elbow is clogged, usually with fir needles, leaves and roof grit. Clearing and flow‑testing the downspout fixes it; upsizing to 3×4 keeps it from coming back.
Yes. Every gutter cleaning includes clearing the downspouts and running water through each one to confirm it drains.
A 3×4 downspout has twice the opening of a 2×3. We recommend 3×4 for large roof planes, valleys and any roof with trees overhead.
We clear the downspout and test whether the buried line takes water. If the line is broken, crushed or full of roots, it needs a drain contractor with a camera and jetting equipment.
A City of Portland program that discounts your stormwater fee by up to 35% if you manage roof water on your property, for example with disconnected downspouts draining to qualifying landscape or a drywell.
The City of Portland notes most disconnection materials last about 10 years. Plastic extensions crack sooner where they get stepped on or mowed.
Seasonal reminders · Portland metro
A short email from our Wood Village office at the three times of year Portland roofs need attention, plus any seasonal pricing we run.
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