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The Frozen Downspout: Why Your Foundation is at Risk During This Maryland Deep Freeze

  • Writer: Shepherd & Sons Inc.
    Shepherd & Sons Inc.
  • 15 hours ago
  • 2 min read


Downspout releases water onto snow pile by a house wall, with icy patches and brown grass. Suburban neighborhood in the background.
Snow accumulation blocks a home's downspout, risking water buildup on the lawn as it melts.

The Deep Freeze is Here

With temperatures across Howard County and Baltimore dropping into the teens this week, your gutters aren't just holding water—they're holding heavy blocks of ice. But the biggest threat to your home isn't on your roof; it’s at the bottom of your downspouts.


The "Ice Plug" Problem

When snow melts during the day and freezes instantly at night, the bottom of your downspouts can develop an "ice plug."

  • The Result: New meltwater has nowhere to go. It backs up the entire pipe, turns into a solid column of ice, and can actually burst the seams of your downspouts or rip the brackets right out of your siding.


Why This Matters for Your Foundation

In Maryland’s clay-rich soil, a frozen or blocked downspout is a recipe for a flooded basement. When that ice finally thaws and the predicted rains hit next week, the water won't be directed 6 feet away from your house. Instead, it will pour directly against your foundation.

Did You Know? A single inch of rain on a standard Maryland roof produces over 1,000 gallons of runoff. If your downspouts are frozen shut, that water is headed for your basement.

3 Quick Steps to Take This Weekend

  1. Clear the Exit: Ensure the bottom "elbow" of your downspout isn't buried in snow or ice. Clear a path so water can escape when the sun hits it.

  2. Check the Extensions: If you use those flexible plastic extensions, check them for cracks. Cold weather makes them brittle, and a split extension will dump water right into your foundation.

  3. Listen for the "Thud": If you gently tap your downspout and it sounds solid like a baseball bat rather than hollow, it’s already frozen solid. Do not use a hammer to break the ice; you will dent the aluminum.


How Shepherd & Sons Protects Your Home

At Shepherd & Sons Inc., we don't just "hang gutters." We engineer drainage systems. From Annapolis to Towson, we ensure your downspouts are pitched correctly and use heavy-duty brackets that can withstand the weight of Maryland’s winter "stress tests."


Worried about your foundation? As a family-owned, MHIC-licensed (#51349) team with 28+ years of experience, we can inspect your system and provide a permanent solution before the spring rains arrive.




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