Burying your gutter downspout is something you want to do not only for aesthetic reasons but for functional purposes as well. Having your downspout exposed can be both a tripping hazard and a way for the exterior to be tarnished quicker with the changing weather conditions.
If you’re looking to install your draining system yourself, here are some tips to consider, and mistakes to avoid to get the best outcome…
What is a buried gutter downspout drain system?
First off, if you’re at all familiar with gutter cleaning and gutter installation, you’re aware that there’s a pipe that connects to your roof’s gutter. The purpose of this pipe is to assist with gutter cleaning by carrying water away from your house and into the ground. It essentially acts as a drainage system and helps to protect your home from water damage.
Now, let’s get into some tips…
Ensure a Proper Slope
The key to an efficiently working gutter downspout system is to install it in an area of your house where the surrounding ground is the most sloped. The reason behind this is that the water will be able to travel down the pipe, rather than mixing with debris and getting clogged, creating a sink trap, and not draining correctly.
To work efficiently, the slope on your land doesn’t have to be too steep, as it can work just fine with a subtle slope. If you have any concerns, speak to a professional before starting the installation.
Avoid Gravel Clogging the Downspout
A big problem that can happen is that shingle gravel can clog the downspout. To avoid this, ensure that the slope is there and that you aren’t installing it on flat land. As well, you will want to bury the downspout underneath your lawn, which will help particularly during the rainy season. Of course, this is not mandatory, and whether you choose to bury your downspouts can be dependent on your location and climate, as well as the rain in your region, but it’s the better alternative for most homeowners.
Plan it Out With the Below Steps…
Before beginning any installation, you want to draw out a ‘map’ of where your downspout will go. Depending on your home and lawn, the exact route of the pipe will vary, so play around with different blueprints to see which one makes the most sense in terms of effectiveness.
The best case scenario is having a buried downspout that drains on a hill or steeper surface, with a healthy distance away from your home and towards the sidewalk. What this does is reduces the risk of having water gather on your lawn and eventually affecting your home’s foundation.
The length of the downspouts will be different based on your lawn’s size and layout, but in general, many homeowners aim for 8 feet in length to keep a far away distance from the home’s foundation.
You will then want to dig a trench, and before doing this call your regional gas or utility support number to ensure you avoid hitting any systems. You can dig a trench with a garden spade and form a slope.
If you have an old aluminum gutter downspout extension, you want to dismantle it and install a plastic one. From there you can connect the new extension and move on to setting the downspout
Last but not least, after you’ve dug up a trench and have the extensions in place, you can lay the downspout in the correct position and at an angle. Once you’re sure everything is good to go (doesn’t hurt to get a second opinion), you can proceed to bury the pipe.