What are some of the vital systems in a home? You’re probably thinking electrical, cooling, heating, plumbing, and gas—all are good answers. Although it is often overlooked, a decent drainage system is crucial for every home.
Many homeowners end up frustrated when water enters the home and causes damage. This is often the result of poorly constructed drainage systems. Poor drainage can cause immense damage to your home’s foundation, plants, and tree roots. It also tends to leave the lawn muddy and unsightly. Building a downspout drainage system is one of the most popular options among homeowners.
But what pipe to use for the downspout? This guide has highlighted the best pipe to use for your downspout, types of drain pipes and installation tips.
The best pipe to use for drip drain
The first step to building a fully functional drainage system is choosing the best pipe. It is important to remember that water exerts immense pressure on pipes, especially in areas with heavy rainfall.
Some pipes are designed to withstand high pressure levels, while others would not last very long. We’ve reviewed some of the best downspout pipe options and put together this information to help you make an informed decision on which downspout pipe to use.
PVC, or Polyvinyl chloride pipes, is the best option for groundwater drainage. PVC pipes are designed to withstand pressure and are very durable. Plus, they’re malleable and come in several different sizes.
PVC drain pipes are also very environmentally friendly, making them a popular choice among homeowners. You may be familiar with Schedule 40 PVC pipe, which is often used for indoor plumbing. This is a great option, but SDR 35 PVC might be better suited for outdoor drainage as it is lighter and more affordable.
Both Schedule 40 and SDR 35 PVC are 4 inches in diameter with thick walls, tight joints, and smooth interior surfaces. The major difference is that Schedule 40 pipes have thicker sidewalls than SDR 35 pipes. Either would be suitable for your downspout, as both cannot be penetrated by roots and are easy to clean in case of clogs.
It is also advisable to choose PVC-U or unplasticized PVC. For this type, no plasticizers are used during production, which makes it perfect for transporting drinking water and for use in drainage and sewage systems. Another reason why PVC-U would be ideal is that these pipes are recyclable and environmentally friendly.
Why Install a French/Underground Drain?
French drains help prevent flooding, especially chronic foundation and basement flooding problems.
With a typical gutter system, rainwater is drained near the foundation of the house. As such, most homes have downspout extensions and sprinkler blocks that direct water away from the foundation to prevent damage. This is ideal for lots where the house slopes away from the foundation.
In cases where the house does not slope on all four sides, sometimes the water comes out of the downspout and flows towards the house and not away from it. As a result, gallons of water end up sitting on the home’s foundation and causing damage.
Underground drains are the solution to this problem. A French channel or underground sewerage it is designed to carry gutter water away from your home. The French drain is connected to the end of your gutter system, the downspout.
A French drain is completely underground and visible only at the connection point with the downspout and the release point where there is a pop-up drain. An underground drain allows you to carry rainwater far enough so that it does not cause damage.
The pop-up drain works on a pressure system. When there is a significant increase in pressure, the top of the drain opens and allows an even dispersion of water.
Installation Tips for Downspouts
A 4-inch diameter pipe is ideal for downspouts because it can handle large amounts of water and can be easily cleaned if it becomes clogged.
There are several fittings that you can use to change directions in buried drainage systems:
- Yes
- Sweep the 90s
- Fittings at 45 degrees
Sweep 90s have an easy bend, making them ideal for use under the downspout. A 90 sweep changes the direction of the water from falling vertically from the roof to moving horizontally underground. A 90 degree fitting should never be used to make a buried bend downspouts. It is best to use two 45 degree fittings with a 1 foot pipe between the fittings for minimal friction during cleaning.
Y-shaped fittings make it possible to connect two drain lines from separate downspouts. They have a 45 degree connection to the main drain line which is the perfect gentle bend.
Other drainage pipes recommended
Although PVC pipes are the best choice, they are not your only option. There are several other pipe options, and some may be suitable for specific situations. Here are some of the best alternative drain pipes you can consider.
1. Corrugated drainage pipes
Corrugated pipes are made of a very flexible material and are designed with alternating ridges and grooves to form the corrugation. They are strong and durable, and where flexibility is a must, corrugated pipes are the most suitable option.
Corrugated pipes are also relatively cheaper and lighter, making them an excellent option for carrying water runoff from eaves and gutters. Due to the rigidity of PVC pipes, they are more suitable for underground drainage systems.
For waterproofing, corrugated pipes would be ideal. They are less expensive, easy to install and are able to run longer, with curves to accommodate the turn. PVCs often require the use of elbow joints and glue to make bends, but with corrugated pipe, you are not limited to 45 degree and 90 degree angles.
What’s more, the corrugated pipes are self-cleaning, as is the shaft inside pipe walls it causes turbulence, encouraging the continuous movement of water and debris. With the perforations inside the ridges, larger debris is prevented from entering the system, while water continues to enter the entire length of the pipe.
The downside to using corrugated pipes is that unless they are buried underground, they are prone to damage from pets, lawnmowers and even foot traffic. It’s also easy for roots to grow into the pipe, causing water to flow slowly, and debris collected by the roots and ridges can cause clogs.
There are two types of corrugated drainage pipes:
- Single wall corrugated pipes: For situations where low cost and flexibility are important, this would be the ideal option. Single-wall corrugated drainage pipes are easy to install and economical, but prone to clogging.
- Double wall corrugated pipes: These pipes have a ring-shaped outer structure and a smooth inner wall, unlike single-wall corrugated pipes, which have ridges and grooves. Double wall corrugated pipes combine the hardness of steel with the corrosion resistance of plastic. The smooth interior of the walls eliminates the problem of clogging.
2. Concrete pipes
Concrete drainage pipes are used in mainly on an industrial scale, especially for water and sewage systems. They run underground, collecting and transporting rainwater or waste. Concrete drainage pipes guarantee zero leakage and are very durable.
Reinforced concrete pipe is among the most commonly used pipes, especially for directing the flow of water and other liquids underground. They have a very long lifespan and are designed to withstand all types of environmental stressors.
Reinforced concrete is among the strongest and most durable construction materials, which is why these pipes are often used for utilities such as large-scale irrigation, storm drains, sewers and sanitary sewers. Although excellent for large-scale applications, concrete drainage pipes are difficult to install and even more difficult to clean.
Reinforced concrete pipes are the number one choice for urban planners, especially for storm drains and urban sewage systems, mainly due to their strength, resistance to stress factors and long service life. RCP is ideal for storm drainage because it allows heavy water flow without eroding the soil.
3. Polyethylene (PE) pipes.
Polyethylene pipes come in rolled runs of various lengths and can reach up to 40 feet. Polyethylene is a thermoplastic material made by ethylene polymerization. Small diameter polyethylene pipes are often coiled, while larger diameters are straight. PE pipes have different wall thicknesses depending on the size system.
Polyethylene pipes are lightweight, flexible, durable and chemical resistant. As such, they are ideal for many use cases, including sewers, drainage pipes, waste disposal and natural gas distribution. High-density PE pipes are more durable than PVC pipes, but the disadvantage is that they are relatively expensive.
Conclusion
When you want to install a drainage system, PVC pipes are the best option. Corrugated pipes are more flexible, therefore easier to work with, but they are not as durable as PVC pipes. Some might say that corrugated pipes are cheaper and easier to install, but because they are prone to damage, the cost of replacing them can be quite high in the long run.
PVC pipes are less flexible and their installation is not easy, but they offer great benefits in return. They are the strongest, most durable and designed to maintain pressure and weight. They are also less prone to clogging and cleaning them is quite easy. With PVC pipes, you get more bang for your buck.
We hope the information above was helpful. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to comment below and we’ll get back to you!
