How to Bury a Gutter Downspout

A downspout gushing rainwater onto a splash block.
What You'll Need
Digging equipment
PVC cement
45-degree and 90-degree angle pipe fitting
SDR-35 sewer pipe
Pipe couplings
What You'll Need
Digging equipment
PVC cement
45-degree and 90-degree angle pipe fitting
SDR-35 sewer pipe
Pipe couplings

Gutter downspouts are used to collect the rainwater that falls on a house and direct it away from the home. However, a badly designed downspout can divert the water to a home’s foundation, 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 your home. To make a well-designed gutter downspout, follow the steps described below.

Step 1 – Check Storm Water Regulations

Contact the building inspections department to find out about the storm water regulations for your area. Some countries do not allow draining the storm water into the yard and hence you need to know about any rules potentially attached to this plan before you begin.

Step 2 – Plan Around Cables and Pipes

To get to know about the cables and pipes for gas and water supply and electricity, contact the respective departments/companies. If you don't know where these are before you dig, you can cut one by mistake, and you will have to bear the cost of reparations, in addition to any possible legal actions for the problem.

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 where you will put the drain line.

Step 4 – Dig a Trench

Along the entire area where you plan to install the drain pipes, dig a trench around 12 to 14 inches deep. While digging, remember to make a slope that runs away from house. Create a fall of 1/8 inch per foot of drain line. As a consequence, the pipe trench will be quite shallow at the beginning and much deeper at the end.

Step 5 – Assemble the Drain Pipe

Start laying your drain pipe by attaching a 90-degree angle pipe to the gutter downspout. Cover the inside of the fitting with PVC cement and push it into the lower end of the gutter downspout. Repeat the similar procedure for the other end of the angle to connect it to the ground pipe.

Lay down the SDR-35 sewer pipe in the trench, and connect it to your angled pipes using couplings. Rub some PVC cement in the inside of coupling, and then rotate clockwise to attach it.

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

Step 6 – Cover the Trench

After laying everything, do not disturb it for several hours to let the PVC cement dry. When enough time has passed, cover the trench (and the pipes) with soil.