Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 20, 1999 10:00pm | #1

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   John:

   Here in SoCal, we get almost all our annual rain in about 2 months, so it can get real wet, real quick. Here is what we do for each downspout:

   20 feet of 4" ABS, perforated with plenty of 90's
   2 50 gal drums
   4" cast iron drain

   Lay out ABS from downspout to a spot at least 10 feet away from house. Straight lines are best. Excavate hole(s) for drums. Punch or drill lotsa holes in drums, and place in hole. Fill with coarse rock. Trench 6-8" wide trench from drum to downspout, with at least a drop of 1/4" per foot from downspout to drum. Line trench with very thick (at least 10mil) plastic. Place ABS in trench and run to downspout. Install 4" drain and pour splash pad in and around downspout to direct water to drain. Cover ABS with soil net (it prevents fine silt from plugging ABS), and backfill with pea gravel first along sides, then clean fill on top.

   One point of harsh debate: Do the holes in the ABS go up or down? My soils engineer said down; a landscape contractor buddy of mine says up. Go figure.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 21, 1999 12:23am | #3

   *Why are you putting perforated pipe in a poly lined trench? The holes go up if you don't want the water to come out - like near the house. They go down if you are making a leachfield and want the water to drain out.-Rob

2. 
   John_Stillings | May 21, 1999 12:23am | #2

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   I have an older home that not often but on occasion will take in some water. I do have a sump pump but I also want to set up a drywell for the downspouts / gutters and have a basic idea on how to proceed but before I start I want to make sure I have the right design. Any help is appreciated.