Comments on: My Ridiculous Downspout

By: dennis stenzoski

dennis stenzoski — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:05 +0000

easy fix. install a pvc arbor type entrance up against the house stradleling the walk.
reroute the downspout to cross over the walk on top of the arbor, using white downspout materials, the down and elbow out on the grass, towards the street. you can go undergroud towards the street as well.
have fun.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 20:17:51 +0000

Good thought, Fred. Depending on how I choose to configure the drain pipe, preserving most of the sidewalk is a definite possibility. However, my lot suffers from an abundance of impermeable surface area (large house on a small lot) and I’m inclined to take the opportunity to try to reduce the runoff. Replacing the concrete sidewalk with pavers, gravel or grass would keep more water on site.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:04:09 +0000

Josh – Do you have to destroy the concrete to run the pipe under? Seems like you don’t need a great width, you might be able to dig under from both sides, connect the pipe, then fill everything in.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:25:02 +0000

Thanks, Todd. Your ideas sound like what I have in mind. There isn’t room on the property to bury a drain pipe alongside the walkway (#2), so I’m making plans for concrete removal. I have other ideas for the front entrance, too, which I’ll detail in a future post.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 00:08:54 +0000

I have two ideas.

1. Install a drainage pipe under the concrete out away from the house, then turn 90 degrees down slope following the walk way. Hook the down spout to it.

2. Same option but don’t put it under the concrete. Install the underground pipe parallel to the walk way. Then use flex pipe to connect the down spout to the underground pipe.

If the PVC drain pipe is pitched it should not plug due to icing.