How to Bury a Gutter Downspout

Gutter downspouts are used to collect the rainwater which falls on a house and then directs it away from home. However, a badly designed downspout would divert the water simply to home’s foundation and hence causing moisture seepage problems, especially in the basement. A simple solution to this problem is to connect the gutter downspout to the underground drain system which will carry the water away from home. To make a well-designed gutter downspout, follow the 12 steps described below in the article.

Step 1 – Storm Water Regulations

Contact the building inspections department to find out about the storm water regulations. Some countries do not allow draining the storm water into the yard and hence you need to know about this specifically.

Step 2 – Plan of Cables and Pipes

To get to know about the cables and pipes for gas and water supply and electricity, contact the respective departments/companies. In case, you cut any pipe or cable by mistake, you would have to bear the cost of repairing the same, in addition to any possible legal actions.

Step 3 – Plan the Drain Line

Depending on the plan of pipes/cables that you get from the previous step and the design of your own yard, plan the drain line.

Step 4 – Dig a Trench

Now along the entire area where you plan to install the drain pipes, dig a trench which should be around 12 to 14 inches deep.

Step 5 – Slope in the Trench

While digging the trench, remember to make a slope that runs away from house. To do this, create a fall of 1/8 inch each after digging a foot. As a consequence, the pipe would be quite shallow at the beginning and much deeper at the end.

Step 6 – Use a 90 degree fitting

Now connect the beginning end (that is, closest to home) of the pipe to gutter downspout. To do this, use a 90 degree angle fitting.

Step 7 – Angle Fitting and Downspout

Cover the inside of the 90 degree angle pipe with PVC cement and push it into the lower end of the gutter downspout. So now, the angle pipe has been attached to the downspout.  

Step 8 - Connect Pipe and Downspout

Repeat the similar procedure for the other end of the angle to connect it to the ground pipe.

Step 9 – Lay the Sewer Pipe

Now, lay down the SDR-35 sewer pipe in the dug trench. Connect the different pieces of pipe using pipe couplings.

Step 10 – Connect Couplings

Rub some PVC cement in the inside of coupling and then rotate clockwise to attach it to the other pipe.

Step 11 – Angle in the Pipe

When you need to lay the pipe at angle, use 45 degree angle pipe fitting. Attach it using PVC cement.

Step 12 – Cover Back the Trench

After laying everything, do not disturb it for several hours to let the PVC cement dry. After that, cover back the trench (and the pipes) with soil.