(9/1) Your flower beds are pruned and blooming. Your grass is freshly cut. A rainstorm comes and disturbs it all. There's nothing worse than your yard flooding due to improper roof drainage. Roof gutter cleaning and gutter repair prevent clogs and leaks, but they don't prevent pooling once the water reaches your lawn.
Consistent and long-term flooding can damage your foundation and cause big problems for your home. Diverting stormwater from your roof straight to the street can help prevent this and help you achieve an aesthetic lawn. Follow these steps to bury your gutter downspouts.
Step 1: Make a plan
The goal is to get water from your roof gutters to the street gutters or another safe outlet point. Start by planning an efficient stormwater drainage route. The water must flow downhill, even if slightly. The lowest point of the drain should be its outlet at the street gutter or into another drainage area such as a swale. While every yard is different, aim for a minimum eight-foot buried downspout so that water moves clear away from your foundation.
Draw out a to-scale map of your downspout route, then determine your pipe needs. Your downspout plan will determine the pipes and fittings required. 4" to 6" PVC pipes are sufficient for most homes. If you are unsure about pipe types, fittings, and sizing, experts at your local home improvement store may be able to guide you in the right direction.
Step 2: Dig a trench
Before breaking ground, call before you dig it's the law, the national call-before-you-dig line. They'll help you avoid hitting any other underground utilities. Mark any existing utilities and note their depths. Once you've done this, you can start digging your drainage path. You'll need a good shovel and a wheelbarrow.
Downspouts should be 1 to 4 feet deep, depending on your soil and climate. Places with cold seasons with rocky soil should bury deeper than warm climates with clayey soil. Pipes should have a minimum of 4" horizontal clearance on each side from other utilities or obstructions. With all this in mind, get to digging. Save the dug-up soil to refill the trench later.
Step 3: Connect the downspout extension
Carefully remove the old downspout extension with a screwdriver. Then, connect your new extension. The new gutter extension should be flexible, durable, plastic, and sized properly for your downspout. Secure the new extension well with screws and waterproof plumbing tape to prevent leaks.
Step 4: Install and backfill
Finally, it's time to connect and lay your downspout pipe into the trench. Double-check that the pipe angles down and away from your house and that the end is at least eight feet away from the house.
Once you've inspected it to make sure it all looks good, you can begin backfilling. Fill in the trench with soil. Pat it down firmly, taking care not to damage the pipe. Lastly, you may want to lay down sod to regrow the lawn in the disturbed area. Now, you're all set! Keep a close watch on your yard and drainage the next time it rains.
The bottom line
Maintaining your home's drainage for an aesthetic lawn takes effort. Burying your gutter downspout is a great way to prevent water damage to your home and yard. If you do it properly, just a few hours of work can benefit you for years. Don't forget that regular gutter cleaning and gutter repairs are also important. You're well on your way to a beautiful, flood-free lawn.
