Drain Tile Size for a Downspout

Purpose

• The purpose of a drain tile is to move the gutter water away from a home's foundation. This prevents flood damage to the foundation and the lower parts of wood walls. Additionally, drain tiles can be perforated to add water to the soil as it travels through the channel. Because of these dual uses, there is no set length for a drain tile.

Necessity

• Not every home needs a drain tile. Homes on a natural incline with good drainage won't need a drain tile for water removal. Additionally, homeowners in dry climates where rain is minimal don't need to worry about routing occasional water. A downspout is necessary for homes with an incline going to the house or homes that receive high amounts of annual rainfall.

Assessing

• The first step to determining the size for a drain tile is studying the property. The idea is to move water far enough away from the home so it doesn't damage the foundation, but close enough to avoid trespassing on another person’s property. If you have a garden or trees, running a perforated drain tile past those areas can provide additional moisture into the soil.

Installing

• Drain tiles connect directly to the end of a gutter system. The pipes are then buried 1 foot underground and connected using PVC joints and PVC adhesive to form a watertight seal. Black perforated pipes can be used farther away from the foundation to allow seepage of the water into the ground. The tile is then buried.