HO/GC here, with advice from GC buddy, and subbed to excavator, framer-roofer, and concrete guy…I’ll be doing the plumbing and electrical myself. Climate is southern MN, soil/sub-soil is clay-loam through broken limestone layer. Whole site slopes ~ 3′ in 20′.
Excavation done, foundation (PTW) walls go in this week, basement slab poured next week, backfill week after.
GC buddy says provide 4″ drain line for drainage off valley next to entrance. Easy to get to now, before backfill and slab pour. Plans are to run 4″ PVC under slab from drain point out to daylight…trench to daylight currently open and also serves as daylight drain for perimeter drainage tile.
Question is, do you advise a continuous vertical run of PVC from where the downspout enters, and then a 90 degree under the pea rock footing to the horizontal (with 1/8″ per foot slope) run? Trouble there is I don’t know exactly where the downspout end will be.
Or should I just plumb a stub up through the slab now and make my final connection with the PVC through the wall sealed with polyurethane caulk, at a location and elevation convenient to both downspout, after it’s installed, and the stub? There will be a bit of hand digging involved with this.
Opinions from subs is varied…I’m leaning towards the through-the-wall option, less likely to freeze, can put in a cleanout easily, less up-front time and effort. The entrance point will be within a basement utility room so no intrusion on living space.
Any downside you can think of? Anything I’m missing so far? I’ve learned to respect often follow advice from you generous pros. TIA.
Replies
I would keep the gutter drains COMPLETELY separate. You can run the pipes in the same ditch now. But if leaves from the gutters buitd up in the pipe or maybe it get crushed you will have all of that water setting up against your wood foundsations.
Loop the pipe around the foundation a couple of floor below grade. Then when you get to the gutters dig down and cut the pipe and make the connections.
That's what the concete guy advises. Leaves will be a concern as it's a heavily wooded area. Wouldn't they best be treated at the gutter though? With leaf guards?
Whether or not I provide a separate drain for gutter water under the foundation, along the foundation, or through downspout extensions to get water away from the foundation, leaves are going to be a problem. Anywhere they clog, water will go where I don't want it.
Remember, this drain system will be separate from the drainage tile already run, as well as from the other basement drain (for water heater and boiler condensate), which also goes to daylight.
Not wanting to argue, just thinking out loud, hoping to get the best long-term solution.
Thanks for your input.
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