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Burying gutter downspouts can be a great DIY project with a little know-how and these tips.
Knowing how to bury downspouts is key for keeping rainwater away from your home’s foundation. It’s also a great way to improve the aesthetics of your yard (no more exposed pipes in the middle of your lawn). Plus, it can help channel water to the parts of your lawn that need it most.
And as far as DIY projects go, burying gutter downspouts is relatively affordable and easy to do. If your home has drainage problems, this task could also save you money in the long run.
Here’s a short guide that’ll further explain the benefits of burying downspouts, then teach you how to do it in seven simple steps.
Is Burying Downspouts a Good Idea?
Yes, especially if your lawn tends to hold water in uneven places or you live in an area where it rains often.
When water doesn’t drain properly away from your home, it can damage your foundation. Prolonged water damage to your foundation can compromise the structural integrity of your home. It could also leave puddles in your yard that ruin your shoes or cause four-legged friends to track mud through the house.
The layout of your yard, the climate you live in, and the amount of rain you get each year can help you decide if you should bury your downspouts or consider a different solution, like installing French Drains.
The cost of French Drains, however, might motivate you to tackle this project on your own.
Advantages
- Improves yard drainage
- Directs rainwater away from your foundation
- Protects your home from water damage or leaks
- Reduces risk of water pooling in your yard
- Boost curb appeal
- Prevents slick or icy spots during winter
How to Bury Gutter Downspouts
If you’ve decided to go the DIY route, here’s how to bury downspout extensions in seven simple steps.
1. Map a Route for Your Downspout
Each yard is different, so decide how you want rainwater to channel away from your house before you start digging. It might help to map out a diagram to determine the best location for your downspouts to drain.
Ideally, your underground downspout will drain out on a hill several feet away from your home or into the sidewalk or street. This removes the possibility of puddles of water staking a claim on your lawn and keeps water away from the foundation.
In some cases, above-ground aluminum downspouts or PVC pipe might be a better solution for your yard. For example, if there are lots of rocks in your soil or there are lots of shrubs or bushes where you can hide the extension.
The size and layout of your yard will determine the length of your buried downspouts. Eight feet is a good goal to aim for; that way, rainwater is definitely being channeled away from the foundation.
2. Dig a Trench
Before digging, be sure to call 811 or visit your state’s 811 website so that you don’t unintentionally hit a gas or utility line.
A garden spade is best for cutting through dirt. You’ll also want to grab a wheelbarrow to shovel the dirt into if you have it.
Be sure to:
- Mark off any utility lines
- Dig your trench on a gradual decline so water doesn't back up
- Dig a trench deep enough for your climate*
*Downspouts should be buried at least 12 inches, although the established frost line is between 36 and 48 inches. You’ll obviously have to dig more, but the extra effort could prevent you from having to thaw your gutters and downspouts during winter if you live somewhere cold.
Dig a trench wide enough to leave four inches of space on either side of your extension.
3. Dismantle the Old Gutter Downspout Extension
If your downspout has an aluminum extension, you’ll need a screwdriver to remove it before installing the plastic extension you’ll be burying.
Carefully unscrew the old extension and slide the plastic one into place. As you lay down your pipe, make sure the other end winds up at least 8 feet from your home.
4. Connect the New Extension
You’ll need a flexible, durable plastic downspout extension. Connect this to the base of your gutter downspout using several layers of waterproof tape or screws.
Be sure to get an extension that fits your gutter downspouts. Most are either two by three inches or three by four inches.
Extensions come in white, black, and brown. Color might not matter since you’re burying the extensions underground, but keep that in mind for aesthetic purposes if they’ll be exposed anywhere. You might also consider purchasing a vent for your gutter downspout extension for easy and inexpensive gutter maintenance.
5. Set Your Downspout
Now, lay your gutter downspout into your trench. Remember, it should be wide enough so there’s room on each side of the tube to move it if necessary. Make sure your downspout extension drains into the street, sidewalk, or the correct part of your yard. It should be at a gradual angle to prevent water from backing up.
If you find any errors with your trench, such as high spots where your downspouts might impede water flow, fix them before burying.
6. Fill Your Trench
Bury your downspout extension and cover the trench with soil. Pat it down firmly.
That’s it; you’re done! Now just wait for the next rainy day to see how your work fares.
7. (Optional) Attach a Pop-up Emitter
You might also consider installing a pop-up emitter on the end of your downspout extension.
Pop-up emitters are best for:
- Disguising the end of your downspout extensions
- Maintaining even water flow into flat yards
- Preventing debris from getting in your drain pipe
How Much Does It Cost to Bury Gutter Downspouts?
Unlike a gutter replacement, which can be expensive, installing and burying flexible downspout extensions should cost you less than $20.
If you have tools on hand like a shovel, a wheelbarrow and a screwdriver, you might only need to buy the pipes and possibly a pop-up emitter, making the total price for this project less than $30.
Hiring a professional starts at $200, but can be much higher depending on how long your pipe is and how much digging is required. So you really stand to save some cash. It’s an inexpensive DIY project, but you’ll pay for it (at least a little bit) with some sweat equity.
Ask a local gutter installation expert if you want some help planning your project.