We were called out to a cozy home nestled in a quiet neighborhood around Parkville, MO to install and bury a few downspout drainage lines and direct the water away from the house. Since we had our equipment there, the homeowner also requested some light landscaping work such as removing bushes and relocating some large rocks.
Buried Downspouts Under Deck and Stairs
For this project, we installed a simple and effective drainage system to solve water issues around a home’s deck and stairs. The first step was connecting to the existing under-deck drainage system, which already had a downspout leading into the same area. To enhance water capture under the deck, we installed a 9-inch catch basin at the lowest point beneath the deck, ensuring water from heavy rains would be collected and diverted away properly.
Above you can see another drainage line we installed from a single downspout and installed the discharge line under a gate and set of stairs to lead into some downhill-sloping timber.
Given that the pipes terminated on the timber slope of a hill, the pipe discharged to daylight and we installed critter guards at the ends to prevent any wildlife from nesting or blocking the system. It’s important to note that this system uses solid pipe throughout the installation—no perforated sections were used, which allows a controlled flow and reduces the risk of water seeping into areas it shouldn’t. This buried gutter drain system was designed with long-term durability and efficiency in mind.
Front Downspouts Under Sidewalk
At the front of the house, the situation required a solution to route the client’s downspouts under a sidewalk. We utilized a tunnel boring tool to create a path under the sidewalk for the downspout pipe. To help manage groundwater in this area, we also installed a 12-inch circular catch basin to capture any additional runoff.
One of the biggest challenges was maintaining a proper slope to ensure water could flow smoothly. At the deepest point, we had to dig 36 inches down to accommodate the slope, as the first downspout pipe had to wrap around the front of the house to connect to the side drainage system. Despite these challenges, the system was designed and executed to handle significant rainfall and keep water from pooling around the home.
Side Gutters Extension to Pop-Up Emitter
For the side of the house, we extended three downspouts and connected them to a pop-up emitter at the bottom of the hill, away from the house. Additionally, we tied in a previously installed downspout from the front of the house. We used smooth-walled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes for this extension, known for their strength and flexibility, making them ideal for this sloped terrain.
A pop-up emitter was installed at the end of the pipe to release the collected water gradually. These emitters are designed to pop up as water pressure builds, allowing the water to disperse away from the foundation. The combined system directs water from multiple downspouts down the side of a hill, keeping the home’s foundation safe and dry.
Swale Construction
As part of the project, we also constructed a small swale between the house and the neighbor’s fence to manage water runoff. A swale is essentially a shallow ditch that helps channel water away from a structure, reducing the risk of flooding or erosion. In this case, the swale was a crucial element in keeping water from accumulating near the foundation and helping it flow toward a safe discharge point.
Removal of Bushes
While we were on site, the homeowner requested that we remove bushes from the front, back, and side of the house. Since we already had the necessary equipment, we cleared out the overgrown shrubs to create a clean and open area around the property, further enhancing the overall aesthetic and improving water drainage near the foundation.
This project involved multiple systems working together to ensure proper drainage around the home. From under-deck drainage to a swale system, we took a comprehensive approach to keep water away from the home and ensure long-term durability.
We offer free consultations to help you solve your drainage problems, get started here or call us using the number above if you’re interested!