Which Way Should Splash Blocks Face?

Photo Source -> Rural Stormwater Solutions - Washington State University

The open end of a splash block should always face away from your house. That’s not a suggestion—it’s the whole point.

Splash blocks aren’t ornamental lawn clutter. 

They exist for one critical job.

To catch the high-volume stream of water coming out of your downspout and direct it safely away from your foundation. Without one (or worse—one installed backwards), that water pounds the soil near your home, eats away at your foundation, and sneaks into places it doesn’t belong.

Most splash blocks follow a basic shape: one end is slightly raised and often sealed off (the “closed” end), and the other end is lower and open. That’s by design. The raised end acts like a dam—catching the water as it exits the downspout elbow—and the open end guides it away in a controlled flow.

Here’s how to position it correctly:

• The closed end goes right under or just behind your downspout.

• The open end points away from your home, toward a slope, drain, or area where the water can disperse without damage.

Don’t overthink it. You’re creating a mini water slide that shoots rainwater away from your house—not a splash pad to soak your foundation.

Why the Direction Matters So Much

Now, maybe you're thinking, “Come on—it’s just a plastic ramp. Can a backwards splash block really cause damage?”

Yes. It absolutely can. And if your yard isn’t perfectly sloped (spoiler: most aren’t), the damage happens faster than you’d expect.

Here’s what’s at stake:

• Foundation Cracks: Constant water exposure breaks down concrete over time. I’ve seen tiny trickles become thousand-dollar cracks—just from a splash block pointing the wrong way.

• Basement Leaks: Water pooling at the foundation has nowhere to go but in. If you’ve got water stains or that musty smell in the basement, check your splash blocks.

• Soil Erosion: Rainwater hits hard, especially during storms. Without proper redirection, it’ll strip away your mulch, flowers, and topsoil like a mini landslide.

• Lawn Flooding: Even if the foundation survives, you’re left with swampy grass and dead zones. Fun times.

Bottom line.

Splash blocks aren’t optional, and their direction isn’t up for debate. Get it wrong, and your yard will let you know—usually with a soggy slap of regret.

What Happens If Splash Blocks Face the Wrong Way?

Here’s a scenario I hear all the time.

"Barry, I checked the splash blocks in my whole neighborhood and they’re all facing the opposite direction. Am I doing it wrong?"

Nope. You’re not wrong. They are.

It’s one of the most common head-scratchers in residential construction, entire communities where every splash block is facing the house. 

Why? 

Because when builders are finishing up a project, they’re focused on speed and uniformity. Lining up all the blocks to look neat and symmetrical from the curb is faster and “looks nicer” than taking time to make sure each one is functionally correct. Unfortunately, pretty doesn’t prevent foundation damage.

And the problem isn’t limited to contractors. Homeowners fall for it too.

There’s a persistent myth floating around that the ridges or grooves inside a splash block are meant to “disperse” water in all directions. I’ve even heard inspectors say this.

But here’s the truth

Those grooves are there to help channel water down a path, not spread it sideways like a sprinkler. If your splash block is catching water and flinging it in random directions, it’s either facing the wrong way—or doing a terrible job.

Question: “If all my neighbors’ splash blocks are backward, am I wrong?”

Answer: No. Builders often prioritize aesthetics over proper drainage. You're doing it right—they’re doing it fast.

Risks of Backwards Installation

When a splash block is flipped around and the open end is facing the house, you’ve basically created a water trap. Instead of draining away, rainwater sloshes up against the foundation, soaks into the soil, and builds up where you least want it.

Let’s break down what actually happens:

• Water Pools at the Foundation: Rain hits the block, then backs up against the structure. Over time, that standing water erodes the soil and seeps into foundation cracks like a slow-moving wrecking ball.

• Stagnant Water Breeds Mosquitoes: When the block traps water instead of draining it, you’ve just built the perfect mosquito nursery. Nothing like turning your downspout into a pest party.

• Moisture Gets Under Siding or Slab: Water doesn’t stay still—it creeps. Backflow can push moisture under siding, into crawl spaces, and even under slabs, especially if the yard has poor grading.

• Looks Okay, Fails When It Matters: The worst part? It might seem fine during light rain. But the first real storm will expose the problem—and by then, it might already be leaking inside your basement.

So yes, direction matters. And getting it wrong isn’t just inefficient—it’s a silent invitation for costly repairs down the line.

How to Install Splash Blocks the Right Way

Photo Source -> Entomology - University of Kentucky

If you’ve got a splash block in hand and want to get this right the first time, good news—it’s not complicated. But like most things in water management, it’s the details that matter. Here's how to do it properly:

Step 1: Place the closed end flush under your downspout

The raised, closed end should sit snugly under or just behind the downspout elbow. This ensures the water drops directly into the splash block instead of behind or beside it. Don’t leave a gap—water will take the path of least resistance and sneak into that space.

Step 2: Make sure the open end points away from the house

Seems obvious, right? And yet, this is the part people mess up all the time. The open (low) end is the exit. It should lead the water away from your home, toward the lawn, a garden bed, a drainage trench—anywhere but your foundation.

Step 3: Check the slope beneath the block

Here’s where things get real. If the ground beneath your splash block is flat or, worse, tilting toward the house, water won’t drain properly, even if the block is facing the right way. Dig out a slight trench under the block to create a downhill slope pointing away from the home. You don’t need much—just enough to encourage gravity to do its thing.

Step 4: Embed the block slightly into the soil

Don’t just plop the block on top of the grass. It’ll shift after the first storm or get knocked out of place by a leaf blower. Press it into the soil about an inch, or use a rubber mallet to tamp it down gently. That way, it stays put and continues doing its job rain after rain.

My yard is flat. Will the splash block still work?”

Answer: Only if you manually create a slope. Flat ground is a silent risk—what looks harmless today could slowly soak your foundation over time.

What If My Yard Slopes Toward the House?

Ah, the dreaded backward-grade scenario. I’ve seen it more times than I’d like yards that tilt toward the house, funneling water straight to the foundation like a stormwater express lane. In this situation, a splash block alone won’t save you. But don’t panic—there are solid fixes.

• Start with the basics: You can still use a splash block, but elevate the back end (the part under the downspout) slightly to encourage water to exit the open end with force. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get the water moving in the right direction.

• Add a downspout extension: When a block alone won’t cut it, a downspout extender can carry water an additional 3 to 10 feet away. Go with a corrugated flexible tube or a hinged aluminum arm—whatever suits your space best.

• Consider underground drainage: For chronic grading issues or high-volume downspouts, tie into an underground drain system. At AquaBarrel, we work with a lot of homeowners who use our elbows and adapters to guide water from splash block to catch basin without disturbing their landscaping.

Photo Source -> News.wisc.edu. - University of Wisconsin–Madison

Final Word: Get the Direction Right—Or Pay the Price

The open end of your splash block must always face away from the house. Not sometimes. Not “it looks better the other way.” 

Always.

It might seem like a minor detail, and that’s what makes it so dangerous. A backwards splash block is the kind of mistake that doesn’t scream at you right away. It whispers. It slowly allows water to pool, erode, seep, and eventually damage the very structure your home is built on. One season it’s muddy mulch and mosquito swarms… the next, it’s a soggy basement and a cracked slab.

At AquaBarrel, we believe in fixing these “invisible” problems before they become expensive ones. Whether you need a splash block that stays put in a storm, a downspout extension to reach beyond a bad slope, or an underground drain to protect your foundation for the long haul—we’ve got you covered.

And hey, if you’re reading this thinking, “Well, my splash block is backwards, but it hasn’t caused any issues yet…”—flip it today. Not tomorrow. Not next weekend. It takes five minutes, and your future self (and your foundation) will thank you.

Because in the world of water control, the smallest changes often make the biggest difference.