How to Install a Dry Well

A dry well provide an excellent means of drainage for both gutters and low points in your yard. Water collects inside the dry well and drains gradually into the soil in the area. There is no reason why, with a little effort, you can't install one of these on your own.

Step 1

Choose your type of dry well. This decision is effected by how much water you expect to collect. Small amounts of water can be collected in a space filled with loose stones and gravel. If you get heavy storms on a regular basis, choose a plastic or concrete dry well. These objects are a shell with holes. Water comes in through the holes and fills the open space inside. This large open space can take more water than a space filled with rocks.

Step 2

Choose the location for your dry well. Low points in the lawn make sense. Remember, all water must flow down a slope to reach the dry well.

Step 3

Dig. You need to open a space large enough to hold the water you expect will be entering your dry well, then a little more so you have space to place everything. Dig sloping trenches for pipes leading from drains and gutters to the dry well. Trenches should be deep enough to allow 6inches of soil above the pipe. The dry well should be set deep enough for these pipes to enter near the top of the open space.

Step 4

Install PVC pipes in the trenches. The perforated sections of pipe should be close to the dry well, allowing water to percolate on it's way to the storage. Wrap the perforated sections of pipe with landscape fabric. This will keep soil from entering the pipe and clogging it. Surround the perforated pipe with gravel to improve water travel around the pipe.

Step 5

Fill the bottom of the dry well pit with stones and gravel. This will allow the water to flow out of the dry well and into the soil. If the capacity you need is small, fill the entire space with gravel and rocks after lining the sides with landscape fabric to keep soil from filtering between the rocks and filling the space left for the water.

If you need a larger capacity, install the plastic or concrete dry well over the layer of stones and gravel and hook up the PVC pipes. Wrap the dry well with landscape fabric to keep loose soil from flowing in with the water and eventually filling the space.

Step 6

Pack gravel in around the sides of the dry well or backfill the area with soil. If you backfill, it is imperative that you remember the landscape fabric. Leave a drain opening connecting the top of the dry well area to the soil, allowing the passage of air in and out of the space. Backfill the pipe trenches.