Go to the FDM Canada SiteBuried downspouts are an essential defense against damaging water for our homes and yards. The most effective drainage systems run on a slope and move water quickly away from our homes. Today, we’re going to teach you how to get more slope by using a 3-inch corrugated pipe. Using 3 in downspout pipe will give your roof runoff system a higher velocity. And bonus – it’s also the easiest pipe for DIYers to install.
To keep that water moving, we’re also going to teach you to drop shingle gravel into your catch basin and how you can increase your odds of catching all the shingle gravel. This way, it won’t get caught in the pipe and clog your downspouts.
3 in Corrugated Pipe Increases Velocity of Downspouts
For example, for this particular job, we had to go under a retaining wall. The side of a home is typically pretty flat to begin with, so it didn’t make sense to use a 4 in. pipe. With a 4 in. pipe pipe, the buried downspout would’ve been deep, and we wouldn’t have had any slope down the side of the house.
Instead, we kept the slope by using the 3 in. pipe, which allowed us to stay much shallower. When you go to a 3 in. pipe, you also increase your pounds per square inch. You have a higher water pressure which prevents clogging.
Get more slope and velocity with FDM’s 3 in corrugated drain pipe
You can run up to two downspouts on a 3 in. line. Once you get to the third downspout, you want to tie it into a 4 in. main. You run your 3 in. line from the downspout to the catch basin. On the other side of the catch basin, you come out with your main (your 4 in. pipe.)
Catch More Shingle Gravel
If you have the slope to go to a 4 in. pipe, and you’re able to dig deeper, going from a 3 in. to 4 in. on an inline catch basin will increase your odds of catching more shingle gravel.
Catch more shingle gravel with FDM’s catch basin drain
You can see how we went ahead, and we necked it down to a 3 in. cleanout on the side of the house. You can see the 3 in. line running to our inline catch basin, 3 inch pipe in and 4 in. out. We’re at three downspouts, so it’s time to start the main.
We want to run a 4 in. main because we’re up to three downspouts, and a 3 in. pipe will only support two downspouts. When you have a third drop, you need to go to a line with more area. It’s going to displace more water. We took this main to a city storm drain.
Once we went to a 4 in. pipe, we had plenty of drop to get the depth we needed to put in the 4 in. line. You could see up behind the house directly, and on the side of the house, we didn’t have as much slope, so we gained a lot by using that 3 in. pipe. By not displacing a single downspout over a big 4 in. pipe, we’re able to keep up the pounds per square inch, the water pressure. That water pressure keeps the line nice and clean and prevents any clogging.
Another advantage of the 3 in. line is you can weave it through the irrigation line. Down the sides of the homes, there’s always an irrigation main or several irrigation mains. So, this 3 in. pipe worked through all those mains nicely. And when we finally got to the backyard, we had some slope and could go deeper and go into the 4 in. pipe.
Easy Clean Out Options for DIYers
Updated for 2023 (video may show discontinued cleanout)
Shop Now: Downspout cleanout
- Water doesn’t splash or bounce around, protecting home exterior
- Low-maintenance and adaptable with vent and removable screen
- Remove the center to run a camera, garden hose, or heat cable through it
- Available in black and white
Attach Catch Basin to 3 in Downspout Pipe
Always install your inline catch basin, like a mini dry well. You want to install a good drainage fabric and drill holes in your inline catch basin. Then, pour the stone on top of the material and set your inline catch basin on top of the rocks. Water left behind after rain can now leech away into the subsoil. That 3 in downspout pipe is high, so we can stay shallow and keep a slope on that down spout. We’re going to pick up velocity and push all the shingle gravel down to the catch basin.
French Drain Man Provides Professional Solutions to DIYers
French Drain Man provides professional solutions to DIYers with tips from the pros and the best parts for installs. No detail is too small when it comes to providing top quality drainage solutions. French Drain Man uses the best techniques and materials, including custom, purpose-built parts, on all professional installs. From French drains, buried downspouts, outdoor sump systems, and more, French Drain Man has got you covered.
For professional drainage services, give French Drain Man a call at 248-505-3065!
