splash blocks

[indigo_rose99]

Our last house had rain gutters, which I liked. At the bottom of each gutter down drop was a concrete block, splashing the dropping water out and away from the house.

Our new house has no such splash blocks. There are now canyons in the dirt leading away from our gutter down drops. This is A Bad Thing. We went by Home Depot and Lowe's and searched Amazon searching for splash blocks. Evidently they are now made of only plastic. Very light, very wind-blowable plastic. Amazon reviews said things like "Amazon claims it is supposed to weigh 4 lbs. It weighs less than a lb." and "I had to wedge rocks under and around it to keep it from blowing away." I'm surprised they can get away with that here, what with the wind and hard rains. We want concrete splash blocks that will firmly stay in place. But....we can't find any. We've tried searching the websites of local hardware and housing supply stores. They also only have the plastic ones.

Got any suggestions?

Comments

[reedrover]

We have perforated plastic piping attached to our downspouts that directs the water away from the house while letting it drip out along the way.

I would go to a landscaping/hardscaping place and look at what kinds of blocks they sell. Maybe you could get something that would work when put at an angle?

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

My first idea is Habitat Resale.

My second idea is that I've seen where people hang chains, and the water kind of sprinkles in all directions instead of creating its own Grand Canyon.

My third idea is to get rain barrels. You will have to shorten the down drop to fit the rain barrel under it. And then you will have some free water for gardening.

Robin says go back to your old house and steal them.

Then he said he googled "concrete splash blocks" and found some online. For example at All-Star Concrete.

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

I was excited by All-Star Concrete's website.... until I realized that they are a 3 hour drive away. Can Robin find a vendor that is closer? Say, only an hour drive away?

[indigo-rose99.livejournal.com]

I LOVE the Habitat Resale idea. I'm investigating that one. They seem like exactly the kind of place to have the splash guards...

Update: And I just called both in the area. Nope, they know what I am talking about and they don't have any. *sigh*

[livingdeb.livejournal.com]

Ugh. I would look for other local concrete places and nurseries. If you're still talking to your contractors, try asking them. Also, wander around the neighborhood and see what your neighbors are doing and ask them. Also, look into reedrover's idea.