Hey everyone! I'm working on some landscaping and hardscaping in my yard after some recent construction, and I'm looking to set up an underground drainage system for the downspouts located at the back of my house. The goal is to direct the water away from the foundation into the backyard. I've made a rough plan for the drainage lines and possible catch basins. I have a few questions: 1. Should I opt for corrugated or rigid PVC piping for the underground run? I'm in an area that experiences freezing temps, and the pipes will go beneath a brick patio. My initial plan included a PVC cleanout where the downspout meets the pipe, but I'm wondering if using corrugated piping would change that. 2. For draining at the end of the piping, should I use two catch basins, or would a simple drainage into the ground suffice? I've heard pop-up drains can flood the yard, so I'm concerned about that as well. Would it be overkill to use a stormtech or cultec system for my setup? 3. Is it worth it to add a gutter guard to prevent blockages, or would just having a cleanout at the downspout entrance be enough? 4. Any other tips or thoughts to make sure I get this right before laying the patio and sod? Thanks in advance for any assistance!
2 Answers
I’d definitely recommend using rigid PVC for your drainage lines. It won’t collapse as easily as corrugated pipe. If you're going underground, it's a good idea to dig a larger hole filled with gravel in addition to the basin for better drainage. Instead of a gutter guard, I’d suggest a screened fitting where the downspout connects to the pipe. Check out The French Drain Man on Instagram for some great tips!
Go for that rigid green pipe from a local home improvement store like Lowe’s or Menards! You can get caps and fittings that work perfectly with downspouts. I’d suggest a two-foot long piece to keep the downspout directed away from the house, plus a pop-up drain at the end. Digging a good trench with a spade is crucial to ensure proper slope. Just make sure you dry fit everything before gluing it together, so you get the angles right.
Thanks for all the tips! I’m worried about the pop-up flooding the grass nearby since they’re about 30 feet apart. Any thoughts on that from your experience?
Edit: I found some good options on his website, so I’m all set with those downspout-to-pipe filters!