Driveway Culvert Installation Help

Preparation

• Prepare the area for the pipe at the lowest point of the ditch and align with the direction of water flow. Excavate a ditch to a depth of 6 inches below the existing flow line. Before placing the pipe, remove grass and bushes underneath the length of the pipe.

Pipe

• Use pipe made out of aluminum alloy, aluminized corrugated steel, high-density double-walled polyethylene pipe or smooth, inside wall concrete. Choose pipe with a minimum diameter of 15 inches. Join two or more pieces of pipe with couplers. If necessary, install flared end pieces to pipe.

Fill

• Use 3/4-inch to 1-inch gravel or soil for backfill and use 3/4-inch to 2-inch gravel for top fill with a minimum 2 percent slope to prevent water from running into the roadway. Backfill at least 6 inches deep on each side of the pipe and compress before adding more fill. Maintain even layers of fill on both sides of the pipe extending the width of the ditch. Place 2 inches to 6 inches of crushed stone across the ends of culvert extending at least 3 feet outward to prevent erosion. Backfill and top material must extend a minimum of 6 inches over the top of the pipe.