Pics + follow up from last years home drainage project.

IHC Red · Feb 9, 2017

Images 1 & 2 show the almost completed project with the 2" branch intended to be the connection for the sump-pump drainage pipe.

Image 3 is my city's "guide" for hooking a sump-pump drain to an in-ground pipe. The city's diagram looks like it would always have water in the bottom. I think the air-gap is there so if there is a ground freeze, the pipes won't freeze up into the house and the water can still flow into the yard. I think I can do a little better.

Any opinions ? Thanks in advance.

IHC Red · Feb 9, 2017

One more after the grass had a chance to grow in for a few weeks.

db4600 · Feb 9, 2017

We should remember that the "guide" or instructions is just another opinion on how to do something. I would do it as you have done. The air gap is likely there as a back flow control design which seems redundant with a check valve in the system.
I've been thinking of doing the same thing with my sump pump to get my pump and gutter water away from the house. Unfortunately I think they tapped a spring when the put the last addition on the old girl.

jCarroll · Feb 9, 2017

I'm guessing it does not freeze in your locale?

DENNIS MIN · Feb 9, 2017

IHC Red,

I, too, have dug in my gutter drains with 4" pvc. I had to go a bit deeper to get the right slope. I do not regret the effort to do all the digging. It functions as I had hoped.

Yours looks nicely done.

On another note, what do you do in the winter? I cap mine off at the downspout and arrange temporary downspouts of aluminum for the freezing months.

D.

WI Dan · Feb 9, 2017

Nice setup. Where does the water go after the green capped thing? Is it just a miniature drain field? or, does the pipe go down into the ground a ways?

IHC Red · Feb 9, 2017

Hi Dennis,

I like to clear the the snow above the hole before spring melt occurs. I'm lucky because the snow generally blows off my roof. If I'm ever left with a bunch on my roof I can remove the "flex" spacer and install an elbow and extension like you do.

One of mine was near the front door and I spent way to much effort messing with it. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping this approach continues to work.

I included one more closeup of the other side in case anyone is curious.

-Red

IHC Red · Feb 9, 2017

We do freeze up here, but I don't let them fill with water and freeze. The river pebble "sink" provides a modest drain for anything left in the pipe. I don't want to be too confident, but I think it will be OK. We don't get a lot of freeze/thaw up here. Our seasons begin and end rather abruptly.

I installed one in the back that ran directly across where I wanted gate access. Here's a picture of that 35' run in the back right after I finished in August 2015.

ed will · Feb 9, 2017

Hi Red, very neat and tidy job. I'm sure it will work without problem. Is there a reason that you didn't continue the small pipe right to the house with long bend 90* up foundation wall ? Not pickin!! Ed Will Oliver BC

IHC Red · Feb 9, 2017

Hi Ed,

Mostly because the air-conditioning compressor was directly in the way. But yes, that would have been ideal.

Stroby · Feb 9, 2017

I have 4 of these at my house. The only thing I did different was I put a "T" at the end instead of an elbow. That way, the heavy flow will pop out of the top, but any residual will drain into the gravel at the end and be absorbed thus eliminating any freeze condition. I live in Illinois. It has worked great for 12 years.

IHC Red · Feb 9, 2017

That sounds interesting.

About how much rock did you use and how deep ? I went about a foot deep with 2-3 cubic feet of rock per hole. We had heavy rains that saturated the ground for a while and the elbow was full, but other than that, the inside of the elbow was usually empty when I checked it.

IHC Red · Feb 10, 2017

Dan,

It [i:654c4848f0]is[/i:654c4848f0] essentially a ground surface drain field.

There's a "slit" in the bottom of the elbow (green thing) which will let any trickle of water drain from the pipe into the rock.

When it rains hard enough to fill the pipe, the middle of the "green thing" pops up and water flows out over the ground, just like a down spout extension, except it's much further from the house. Plus, they aren't in the way for mowing, they don't blow off in high winds, and get knocked off or mangled by kids.

I have minimal but adequate slope which keeps this surface water away from the house.

-Wally

WI Dan · Feb 10, 2017

Thanks IHC. That makes sense.
I appreciate your response.

Pics + follow up from last years home drainage project.

IHC Red

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db4600

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DENNIS MIN

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WI Dan

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IHC Red

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ed will

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