Use a string and 1x2 stakes to lay out the trench.
Hillside drainage trench gutters.
It s typically done in three phases.
A width of about 6 to 8 inches should work fine in most cases.
We found that the trench needs to be 10 12 inches deep with about a 2 inch slope.
So back to the stakes and strings.
If you intend to feed the trench from a downspout connected to the gutters on your roof start at the opening of the spout.
Working out gutter slope as a general rule gutter slope is set at 1 4 inch per 10 feet of guttering.
This means the downspout end of the gutter should be set 3 4 of an inch lower than the other end.
Channel trench drains.
Lay out the trench photo by smith baer.
The slot drain is a newer form of the channel trench drain that is intended for backyard drainage needs.
Unlike channel trench drains the slot drain does not contain grate coverings.
I laid the 2x4 flat on the bottom of the trench placed the level on the 2x4 and every 5 10 feet worked my way from the alley to the house checking the level as i went.
Make sure your downspout extension and connector fit together and on your gutter.
This durable drainage system contains all the efficiency of the channel trench drain without forgoing any of the efficiency of the traditional system.
Pound in two stakes 4 feet from the house and directly in front of each downspout.
Digging the trench laying the pipe and backfilling with soil.
Crawl space vapor barrier.
Assuming your lot isn t shaped like a large salad bowl with the house at the bottom center look for a spot that s lower than the house to drain the excess water.
The drainage pipe or drain tile as some call it will lay on a bed of gravel in the bottom of the trench and it is very easy to move this gravel around to properly slope the drain pipe.
Catch basin and surface drain.
You ll also need at least 3 in.
For example if you have 30 feet of guttering the calculation is 1 4 x 3 0 75 i e.
We researched how long and deep the trench should be.
Read on to learn how to expend your downspout in 10 steps.
Dig the trench deep enough to drain downhill from the side of the dry well.
Of crushed rock to add to the bottom of the trench to promote water absorption.
Starting at the most uphill point of your planned drainage system pound in a stake and tie off the string 6 above the ground.
When i thought i was done digging the trench i used an 8 foot long 2x4 and a level to make sure there was some slope to the bottom of my trench.