How to Install a Rock Drainage for Down Spouts

Finding your basement full of water is a devastating experience. The damage to the structure, interior finishing and your personal belongings can be a costly and lengthy repair. The best way to avoid this situation is to properly disperse the rainwater generated by your roof. A rock or french drain is a good way move this water back into the ground without it making its way through your foundation. It is smart to size the pit larger than you think to accommodate those rare heavy rains.

Shovel or excavator
4-inch non-perforated drain pipe
Gravel
Landscaper's cloth
Utility knife

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a location for your rock drain. This should be at least 20 feet from your foundation and in a spot that is easily accessible by your downspouts. The lot grading in this area should also slope away from the house.
- 2
  Decide how large of a pit you will need. The factors involved in the decision are the amount of water generated by the roof on the largest rainfall each year and the soil makeup of the ground. Gravel and sand percolate water quickly, while clay has a tendency to hold the water. If you are unsure, start with a 15-foot wide by 10-foot deep pit.
- 3
  Dig the hole for the french drain with a hand shovel or excavator. Then dig a 2-foot deep trench to the home's downspouts. These trenches should have a gradual slope toward the pit of at least a 1/4 inch every linear foot.
- 4
  Insert a 4-inch nonperforated drain pipe into the end of the downspout and run it along the trench to the pit. Cut the pipe at the pit with a utility knife. Repeat this process for each of the downspouts.
- 5
  Fill the pit with gravel, leaving a 1 foot of space at the top. Cover the top of the gravel in one sheet of landscaper's cloth.
- 6
  Backfill the trenches and the top of the pit with top soil. Be careful not to damage the pipe when filling.

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