I'm living on a steep hill where parking is curbside, and the sidewalks have steps. My neighbor installed a sump pump without any permits, which has led to issues with water discharging across our sidewalk step right on the property line. This creates a dangerous icy patch during winter, raising my liability if someone slips and falls.
I have the tools to cut a proper sidewalk channel and curb cut per code, but I need help figuring out how to direct the water flow from the pump so that it aligns with the road salt melt water at the curb instead of causing a glacier in my parking spot. Any creative solutions to control the outflow direction would be super helpful, so I can approach my neighbor with a constructive plan instead of just complaining. Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
A straightforward approach could be to create a channel that discharges into the gutter. Once the water is flowing there, you can add a 90-degree elbow in the pipe that sits in the gutter. Use Schedule 40 PVC for this, as it’s more durable than the thin wall drainage pipe. Attach a coupling to the end that aligns with the curb, which will allow you to plug in the elbow easily if needed. Just make sure it's not glued down so it can be replaced if necessary.
Honestly, just have a chat with your neighbor about this. They might not even realize the issue their pump is causing.
I get that, but I’m trying to go in prepared! I want to form a plan rather than just complain. If they knew how to fix this, they probably would’ve done it by now.
That's a solid idea! I’ll definitely keep the elbow type in mind, but I’m aware that it can’t stick out from the curb, so I’ll have to figure out a compliant setup.