Fine Homebuilding Project Guides

Foundations and Masonry Work

How-To

Underground Gutters

EPDM roofing membrane installed just below grade keeps the basement dry.

By Mike Guertin

After the EPDM is attached to the house, a layer of small stones is placed on top to facilitate water drainage and reduce splash back.

We aren’t planning to install eave gutters on the house. Instead, we’re installing recycled strips of EPDM along the perimeter of the house that will act as underground gutters.

The primary function of the underground gutters is to channel water draining off the roof away from the house and foundation wall. The backfill soil was compacted and sloped away from the foundation. The EPDM will be covered with a layer of small stones that will drain the water and reduce splash back onto the siding.

EPDM sheets removed from a failed roof are cut into strips and nailed to the foundation.

Gravel foundation backfill is compacted in layers up to the final grade.

The final layer is pitched at about 1/2 in. per ft. to ensure that water flows away from the house.

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View Comments

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StevenBWilson | Apr 29, 2017 05:11am | #3
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DustinLAuten | May 01, 2017 05:32am | #4
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