Would like to construct a drywell so I can route my gutter water away from the house. I would be extending the leader through 3" or 4" buried and pitched pvc pipe approx 10' away from the house. It would empty into a plastic 55 gallon drum that I would drill holes in bottom and sides. I would fill drum 1/2 way with larger rock and wrap the whole drum in landscape fabric. I would be sinking this drum so that the top would be approx 12" below top of the soil. My area is mostly sandy soil that drains well. Does my battle plan sound feasible. Any comments always appreciated.

 

Bed the drum on coarse gravel, and backfill the drum excavation with coarse gravel.

 

What constitutes course gravel? Larger than pea gravel? Should I still use landscape fabric? Thanks for the insight.

 

Here's another suggestion, based upon some other research into disposal of water from gutters and other sources not septic. It may be easier to implement.

A mulch lagoon is a hole in the ground into which the water drains through a pipe. The water dissipates into the surrounding soil naturally. The mulch provides a permeable fill that will support foot traffic and prevent the water from becoming fetid as it would in a container.

I have implemented a mulch lagoon at my house to dispose of excess water, especially one to manage water draining from my driveway. If you dig a hole the size of a 55 gallon drum lying on its side, run your pipe to it, and fill it with hardwood mulch, you will have the same nominal capacity as the 55 gallon drum with the option of overflow when the rain is especially heavy.

The research and publications are found at
www.oasisdesign.net

Hope this helps.

 

The larger the gravel, the more void space it will have, giving more water storage. The landscape fabric is prolly a good idea at the top, don't think it would be necessary at the bottom or the sides (maybe use on the top portion of the sides.)

The mulch lagoon sounds interesting and worthy of investigation.