I'm redoing the downspout system for my house while I pour a new concrete patio. I plan to use schedule 40 PVC for the inlet that connects from the gutters into the concrete, aiming for stability since it will run underneath part of the patio. After about a foot past the concrete, I want to switch to corrugated HDPE to carry the water about 70 feet out into the yard to a pop-up emitter. I chose corrugated because it can curve a bit, and I live in NE Ohio where freezing is a concern. I've seen some opinions suggesting that schedule 40 isn't the best choice for colder climates. I considered using corrugated all the way from the gutter, but I think schedule 40 is tougher for the inlet and under the patio since it'll be heavily trafficked. I expect the 4-inch thick concrete patio will keep the ground from freezing quickly, which should help prevent the PVC from cracking due to heaving. Does anyone spot any flaws in this plan? Any suggestions?
2 Answers
Make sure your downspouts have enough slope towards the outlet. If the water isn't flowing correctly, you could run into clogging issues, especially with the corrugated sections. But with the thickness of the concrete, you've got a great plan for stability! Just check on it periodically to avoid any winter surprises.
Using schedule 40 PVC for the inlet sounds smart! It’s definitely sturdier for areas with foot traffic. Just make sure you secure it well to avoid movement from freeze-thaw cycles. Switching to corrugated HDPE afterward is a good call since it will handle the curves better. Just keep an eye on the transitions to make sure they won’t clog. Overall, your setup seems solid for your climate!
Yeah, I agree! And if you can, add some gravel around the HDPE to help with drainage and keep things from freezing too much.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll definitely keep an eye on the slope as I install everything.