How to Install Downspout Drain Lines in Five Steps
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| A Perfect Grass Finish Drain Line Installation by Higher Ground of Chattanooga |
Downspout drain lines keep your roof water from infiltrating the soil around your home and entering the basement, foundation or crawlspace. They are an integral part of your home's rainwater defense system.
This is a DIY level job for any fit mechanically minded home owner however if it is done incorrectly it can to more harm than good. Please contact Higher Ground of Chattanooga
www.hg-chattanooga.com -or- 423-939-9555.
This service costs $150 with our “perfect grass finish” call and sign up today.
If you have a more complicated job call or write now to schedule a free estimate.
Time 3-6 hours depending on the soil density and composition.
Budget: $50
Materials: 4" thin wall PVC, 1/4 bend elbows (90 degree) (x2), downspout coupler of the appropriate size for your downspouts, pop up emitter, one bag (about 5 gallons) of all purpose gravel,PVC cement, PVC primer
Tools: 3/8" drill bit, 1/8" drill bit, 1/4" driver, power drill, trenching shovel (5" spade), flat shovel, pick, 10' long tarp, PVC saw or hack saw, marker, measuring tape, 4' level, 12" level (torpedo level), water utility shut off tool.
Step One - Make a Plan
Call 811 to have professionals come mark your buried utility lines. This is important to insure that you have no legal responsibility for damaged lines. Keep in mind you water line will not be marked from the meter to you home. Find the water supply line cut off in your house and draw a strait line between here and the meter. This should give you a good idea of where your water line is.Step two - Mark it Out
Plan and mark the excavation area. Consider where the water will go when it exists the pipe. Erosion and back flow towards the house should be avoided. Mark and 18” box at the end of the proposed trench. If there are bends in the proposed path of excavation use angled PVC fittings to template the bends. The more exact these measurements are the easier installation will be.Lay your tarp along the proposed excavation line. Use a flat shovel to cut the sod in an even 6” swath. Make a lateral cut every 8” (or the length of your shovel blade.) Cut under the sod using the flat shovel and place the sod on the far side of the tarp.
Step Three - Dig it Up
Using a pick and trenching shovel dig the trench to grade at least 7” deep. Grass needs at least 3” of soil to grow. Place the soil on the tarp. Dig out the box at the end at least 12” deep. Keep a strait back while digging to avoid injury.
Step Four - Install the Pipe
Remove the ground level elbow from the downspout using your 1/4" driver if it is screwed in or your 1/8" drill bit to remove the pop rivet if it is attached this way. Starting at the downspout install a 12-18” leader head (pipe coming up out of the ground to meet the downspout). This will insure that water is pushed out of the end of the pipe. Measure, cut and dry fit all pipe and fittings till you get to the end of the pipe. Drill twelve ⅜” holed in the bottom of a 90 degree elbow. Place them facing down. Install this elbow in the box at the end of the pipe. Starting at the downspout use PVC glue and primer to glue all fitting expect the downspout coupler. This will make future maintenance much easier. Applying PVC primer and cement correctly is important. First coat both sides of the connection with primer. Let this dry. Then coat both sides in cement. This will ensure a better seal. It will also give you a second longer to make final adjustments. Once you have inserted the the pipe into the fitting you will have about ten seconds to make any final adjustments.
Step Five - Test and Back Fill
Before back filling around the pipe use a level and a water hose to insure the pipe is flowing water downhill. Starting from the downhill side back fill the trench in two layers. First use the shovel blade to pack in around the pipe. Fill the infiltration box at the end will gravel. Move from the end of the drain line to the downspout back fill the next full layer. This should be slightly below grade. Tamp the soil until it is compacted. Install the sod tiles. Add more soil below each one of needed. They should sit mounded 1”-2”. Tamp down the sod. Water the sod. Install the pop up head at the end of the pipe. This should sit inside the fitting and should not be fastened to it.
This is a DIY level job however if it is done incorrectly it can to more harm than good. Please contact Higher Ground. This service is $150 with our “perfect grass finish” call and sign up today 423-939-9555 or sign up at www.hg-chattanooga.com
