Gutter drains move rainwater away from foundations.
Gutters serve the valuable purpose of keeping rainwater off the sides of a building and providing the opportunity to move roof drainage water away from the foundation of the building. The downspouts, or gutter drains, give several options for controlling ground moisture and water buildup along the perimeter of the building. The water that is collected from the roof ends up in the gutter drains, so once they reach ground level you can choose the best option for dispersing that water. Does this Spark an idea?
Sump Pit
The sump pit is especially suited to places that don't have much rainfall. The pit is dug where the gutter drain meets the ground. It is then filled with rocks. If you live where there is much rainfall and it will regularly cause the sump pit to overflow, add a sump pump to the pit that will pump the water out when it reaches a certain level. Attach a pipe or hose to the pump and direct the water wherever you want to irrigate plants.
Expandable Irrigation Hose
Attach an expandable hose to the end of the downspout. These hoses stay rolled up when there is no rain flowing off the roof. When it rains, the hose unrolls and the water is released through small holes in its upper side. The hose releases water in many fine streams and that helps to greatly prevent erosion of the soil. This is especially useful where you have seeded a lawn or where the downspout discharges directly onto bare soil.
Rain Barrel
The rain barrel used to be an old oak barrel with metal staves, but today you can buy plastic barrels to place below a downspout to catch the rainwater. Attach a drip-irrigation water line to the barrel so water will flow to plants nearby. You can also buy an item that attaches to the downspout at a point slightly lower than the top of the barrel. Until the water reaches the top of the barrel, all water coming down the downspout will be diverted to the barrel. When the barrel gets full, the water will flow directly out of the downspout.
Splash Ramps
If you want to move the water only a short distance away from the foundation, use short, angled ramps made of concrete or plastic. The angled end of the downspout rests on the ramp, and when it is discharging water the ramp directs the flow outward.
Underground Piping
In situations where the water from downspouts has to be moved a distance from the building, use underground pipe. The pipe is set in the ground and extends to a location where it will emerge to daylight. A pipe rises out of the ground at the downspout location so the downspout drains into it.
Tags: away from, away from foundation, barrel water, from foundation, gutter drains, much rainfall, water will