What are Splash Blocks?

Gutter systems on homes and buildings control water flow from the roof to the ground. The gutters help prevent ground erosion from water flowing directly off the roof. However, these systems are ineffective if you don’t have a means of directing water away from the downspout. Uncontrolled water flow from the downspout puts all the roof’s water into one spot close to the foundation, which negates the benefits of the gutter system. 

Splash blocks are some of the most common solutions to this problem. Splash blocks sit at the bottom of your downspout to help move water away from your house and foundation.

Discover the right choice for your home by comparing concrete splash blocks vs. plastic splash blocks. Knowing the pros and cons of each will help you to make the most informed decision to protect your home’s foundation. 

Whether you use splash blocks made of concrete or plastic, you can enjoy the benefits of preventing soil erosion, avoiding mud splatters on your home, and keeping your foundation safe from water damage. 

Pros of Concrete Splash Block

The benefits of concrete splash blocks include the following: 

• Durable: The extra weight of concrete splash blocks is a perk some consider a downside. The heavy construction gives these splash blocks durability to function well for years. They also remain firmly in place, even in high winds or from getting hit by lawn care equipment. 
• Subtle: Another benefit of concrete splash blocks is their subtle appearance. Their concrete construction makes them look like another structure in the garden. They have low enough profiles to not distract from the surrounding area. Those who don’t like the appearance of the splash guards can use shrubs and other small, low-profile plants. These growths easily hide the locations of the blocks. 
• Versatile: Concrete splash blocks have several sizes, giving you various choices to fit your yard and home. Homes with these splash guards at the downspouts also look better because they don’t have mud splatters on the wall next to the downspout. The splash block sends water away from the home and its walls, preventing the mud splatters that make a home look dingy. 

Of course, the best advantage of using concrete splash blocks is the improved drainage you will get around your home. The splash blocks safely and reliably channel water away from your home. Their performance at diverting water away from your house can prevent foundation damage and leaks into the basement. These benefits could save you thousands of dollars in future repairs.

Cons of Concrete Splash Block

Concrete splash blocks are hefty, which may make installing them without assistance difficult. Larger sizes weigh more. For instance, 2-foot splash blocks weigh 50 pounds, while 4-foot blocks weigh 110-pounds. Don’t let the heft of these blocks discourage you from using them. These weights serve as an advantage to using concrete splash blocks. Since they weigh so much, they remain firmly in place once you’ve correctly put them beneath your downspouts. 

Pros of Plastic Splash Block

Plastic splash blocks provide quality water drainage away from your home’s downspouts. When these splash blocks work, they can offer similar protection for your home as concrete blocks. Some benefits include the following:

• Versatile: Plastic splash blocks have a wide variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate the needs of various homeowners. You can even find different colors of plastic blocks to blend better into your landscape. This variety allows homeowners to find the most aesthetically pleasing splash block to place in or near a garden. Other options, such as dark green or black coloring, allow for better camouflage in the yard to keep others from seeing the splash block. 
• Cost-efficient: These splash protectors have budget pricing. Financially minded homeowners often choose these blocks for this reason. The cost comes from the lighter weight, which costs less to ship than concrete. 
• Lightweight: Plastic blocks are easier to carry around a yard and place at downspouts. Their light weight makes installing several of these without assistance simple and fast. 

Cons of Plastic Splash Block 

The disadvantages of plastic splash blocks come from their construction. The lower weight of these blocks makes it possible for hefty rains, mowers, leaf blowers, or trimmers to move the blocks from their correct positions. Unless you notice the movement and move the block back into place, it won’t move water away from the home as intended. 

Additionally, plastic is not as durable as concrete. Therefore, a mower could damage the material of the splash block. If the material cracks, some water will seep, preventing proper drainage. The cracks will also compromise the integrity of the plastic, putting the splash block at risk of breaking completely. Thinner, lighter plastics are more likely to have such severe consequences from cracks in the splash block than thicker, heavier material. 

Which is Better – Concrete or Plastic?

Plastic is lightweight, inexpensive, and versatile. But plastic can deteriorate in extreme heat or cold. It can also move when the ground freezes or in heavy rains.  Concrete is sturdy and can withstand weather extremes, so that you can leave your splash blocks in place all year long. They also require minimal care and remain stable and in place for years. 

If you want a drainage solution that can handle a variety of precipitation levels, lasts for years, and is durable, you should choose concrete splash blocks. You can save thousands of dollars in foundation or basement repairs with a small investment in concrete splash blocks at your downspouts.

The Advantages of Using Leafguard

All gutters carry water away from your home, but only Leafguard does it with a unique, proprietary one-piece debris-shedding design that is better than any other gutter system on the market today. Leafguard gutters work on a simple but powerful scientific principle known as liquid adhesion. This allows rainwater to travel around the hood and into the gutter while deflecting leaves and other debris never to clog*.

The Leafguard seamless one-piece design is stronger and more durable than any other gutter system. With Leafguard, quality and durability are built in. Leafguard gutters can handle 32 inches of rain per hour, over three times the record rainfall ever recorded by the US Weather Bureau.

Leafguard gutters are made from aluminum, 20% thicker than the industry standard, and downspouts are 30% larger than our competitors. The gutters are supported every two feet, twice the industry standard, ensuring protection against the harshest weather conditions.

Eight out of 10 incidents to go wrong with a home today has to do with water-related damage. Clogged gutters can cause water damage to your roof, siding, fascia, foundation, and landscaping. Leafguard’s proprietary clog-free design eliminates water damage to your home caused by clogged gutters.

Other gutter systems are multi-piece with seams vulnerable to leaks, rust, and sag. Leafguard’s seamless one-piece design has no gaps or seams for water to leak through and won’t pull away or sag, guaranteed.

Leafguard gutters are sure to keep water away from your home. However, adding splash blocks will give you additional protection to move water away from your home.

*Guaranteed not to clog for as long as you own your home, or we will clean your gutters for free.