condoowner
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- Joined
- Dec 6, 2009
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Hello guys,
really not sure if this is the right place to post this as it is not directly related to indoor plumbing but here it goes!
So our condo building has rain gutters that have been located directly on top of our driveway's slope (about 25degrees) and as a result the water constantly discharges in front of our garage doors and pools there. Not good IMO but im not an expert.
Last week we met and I proposed to install underground downspout extensions to re-route there rain gutters and discharge into the ground far away from the foundations and driveway.
What we've done: We bought 4in plain PVC pipe and fittings, dug a trench from the aluminum rain gutter to about 15-20ft away from the building, then dug a hole at the end of the trench (about 18in diameter by 24in deep) and filled with 3/4 gravel. The trench is about 10in deep.
We put a 90degree elbow at the beginning of the drain line with a rectangular gutter adapter to 4in round pipe, then at the other end of the drain line we put a T with a female threaded adaopter on top and a screwed cap (for future cleanup if we need). The cap barely protrudes from the grass so lawnmowers wont hit it.
While digging the seepage pit, we noticed that past the first 7-8 inches, its pure clay. I mean it felt like wax almost. We didnt worry about it too much but after all was done and buried, I tested the drainage with a garden hose, at full capacity for about 2-3 minutes and we filled the pit and pipe. Water seeps slowly in the ground and it takes a good 10 minutes for the pit to appear entirely drained (not sure as there's no way to tell from above ground).
I am wondering if this drainage setup will work? The building roof's is equipped with 4 gutters (one on each corner) and the building is approx. 40ftx80ft.
I fear the seepage pits doesnt keep up (because of the clay), fills up until the 90deg elbow and then overflows against the foundations...
We have to repeat the same on the building fronts next week so I'd like to do it better if need be or at least confirm this will work before we repeat the same somewhere else..
All right! Thanks!!!
really not sure if this is the right place to post this as it is not directly related to indoor plumbing but here it goes!
So our condo building has rain gutters that have been located directly on top of our driveway's slope (about 25degrees) and as a result the water constantly discharges in front of our garage doors and pools there. Not good IMO but im not an expert.
Last week we met and I proposed to install underground downspout extensions to re-route there rain gutters and discharge into the ground far away from the foundations and driveway.
What we've done: We bought 4in plain PVC pipe and fittings, dug a trench from the aluminum rain gutter to about 15-20ft away from the building, then dug a hole at the end of the trench (about 18in diameter by 24in deep) and filled with 3/4 gravel. The trench is about 10in deep.
We put a 90degree elbow at the beginning of the drain line with a rectangular gutter adapter to 4in round pipe, then at the other end of the drain line we put a T with a female threaded adaopter on top and a screwed cap (for future cleanup if we need). The cap barely protrudes from the grass so lawnmowers wont hit it.
While digging the seepage pit, we noticed that past the first 7-8 inches, its pure clay. I mean it felt like wax almost. We didnt worry about it too much but after all was done and buried, I tested the drainage with a garden hose, at full capacity for about 2-3 minutes and we filled the pit and pipe. Water seeps slowly in the ground and it takes a good 10 minutes for the pit to appear entirely drained (not sure as there's no way to tell from above ground).
I am wondering if this drainage setup will work? The building roof's is equipped with 4 gutters (one on each corner) and the building is approx. 40ftx80ft.
I fear the seepage pits doesnt keep up (because of the clay), fills up until the 90deg elbow and then overflows against the foundations...
We have to repeat the same on the building fronts next week so I'd like to do it better if need be or at least confirm this will work before we repeat the same somewhere else..
All right! Thanks!!!