Serving Milwaukee & Surrounding Suburbs

Underground Downspout Drainage in Mequon, WI: Before & After

A homeowner in Mequon had a common problem: every time it rained, the downspouts dumped roof water right next to the foundation. Water that sits against a foundation can soak into the soil and find its way toward the basement.

The problem

Downspout in Mequon dumping water at the foundation through a short corrugated extension
Before: a short corrugated extension left roof water right at the foundation.

The downspouts drained through short corrugated extensions that ended a few feet from the house. That is not enough distance to move the water away from the foundation.

What we did

We replaced the surface extensions with an underground downspout drainage system:

  • Dug a trench along the house and out into the yard
  • Connected the downspouts to solid PVC pipe
  • Checked the pipe with a level so it slopes away from the house
  • Dug a gravel-filled pit about 2 feet deep at the end of the line
  • Set a pop-up emitter flush with the ground
  • Backfilled the trench and seeded the disturbed area
Trench dug along the house for an underground downspout drain line in Mequon
We dug a trench along the house to carry the water away underground.
PVC fittings connecting two downspouts to an underground drain pipe
Each downspout was tied into solid PVC pipe with proper fittings.
Level laid on a buried PVC drain pipe to confirm it slopes away from the house
We put a level on the pipe to make sure it has the right slope, so water keeps flowing and never sits in the line.
Pop-up drain emitter set in a gravel-filled pit
At the end of the line we dig a pit about 2 feet deep and fill it with gravel. The gravel holds the water and lets it soak into the ground, so the emitter keeps working even in a heavy rain.
Level across the ground showing the pop-up emitter set flush with the lawn
We set the pop-up emitter flush with the ground, so the mower rolls right over it and does not catch it.
Pop-up drain emitter installed at the end of the drain line
The line ends at a pop-up emitter well away from the house.

The result

Finished downspout drainage project with the trench backfilled and seeded
After: trench backfilled and seeded. The pipe is out of sight.

Roof water now travels underground and comes out at the pop-up emitter, away from the foundation. No more extensions to trip over or move when mowing.

Water pooling by your foundation?

We install downspout drainage and yard drainage systems in Mequon, the North Shore and across the Milwaukee area. See our yard drainage solutions, or call (414) 748-0779 for a free estimate.

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