Underground drainage

Underground Downspout Drainage in Central Florida

An underground drain connects your downspouts to buried pipe that carries roof water out and away from the house. It is a clean, out-of-sight way to move water where surface extensions will not work. We install downspout drainage extensions and underground water diversion.

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At a glance

Moves water farther
Closed system
Cleaner yard
Protected from damage

The basicsWhat is Underground Drainage

With a surface extension, water runs out of the downspout and across the yard. With underground drainage, the downspout feeds a buried pipe that carries water farther, to a lower area of the yard, a pop-up outlet, or a dry well.

Home-improvement sources say buried pipe can carry runoff 10 to 50 feet away. Smooth-bore PVC is generally preferred over corrugated pipe, because ridges can trap debris. A cleanout or debris filter where the downspout meets the pipe makes upkeep easier.

The pipe must slope down steadily the whole way. A backward slope is a common cause of failure.

Underground drainage before and after: a downspout connected to a buried drain line and catch basin in a trench, then the lawn restored with only the grate showing

Why it mattersBenefits

Moves water farther

Buried pipe can send water well away from the foundation, to a place where it can drain.

Closed system

Glued smooth-bore PVC avoids the leaks common with flexible surface extensions.

Cleaner yard

No pipes laid across the lawn, no trip hazards and nothing to move when mowing.

Protected from damage

Buried pipe is shielded from sun and from mower and trimmer strikes.

Helps flat or low lots

Where the ground does not slope away from the house, underground drainage gives the water somewhere to go.

Keeps the yard usable

Water moves to a designed outlet rather than saturating the soil by the walls.

How it worksThe installation process

Look at the yard

We check where water lands now, the slope of the ground, and where it could exit.

Choose the outlet

Options include a lower area of the yard, a pop-up emitter, or a dry well, depending on the lot.

Locate utilities

Before digging, buried lines must be marked. Florida homeowners and contractors call 811 first.

Dig and lay the pipe

A trench is cut with a steady downward slope, and pipe is laid and connected to the downspouts.

Add cleanouts and filters

A cleanout or debris filter goes at the downspout connection so the line can be checked and cleared.

Backfill and test

The trench is backfilled and compacted, and water is run through to check flow.

Is it right for you?Is it right for your home?

Often a good fit when

Your yard is flat or slopes toward the house.
Surface extensions pool water or are in the way of mowing and walking.
You want downspout water moved well away from the foundation.
You want a cleaner look than pipes across the lawn.

Worth thinking about

Buried pipe can clog out of sight. Leaves, grit and roots can build up, and clearing may need a snake or water jet. A debris filter and cleanout help.
Installation takes trenching and a steady slope. Repairs can be messy and costly if a fault is hard to find.
It is a larger job than an extension. Heavy clay, tree roots and complex lots call for a professional.
The outlet must have somewhere to drain. We look at where water can actually go on your lot.

Pricing and upkeepCost and care

What affects the price

Length of pipe run
Number of downspouts connected
Soil conditions and roots
Type of outlet (pop-up, daylight, dry well)
Obstacles such as driveways and walkways
Restoring the ground after trenching

We give you a free written estimate after we see the home, so you know the number before any work starts.

Keeping it in shape

Check the outlets after heavy rain and clear any debris. Keep gutters clean so debris does not wash into the line, and use cleanouts if water backs up.

FAQsQuestions we hear

What is underground downspout drainage?

It is a buried pipe that connects to your downspouts and carries water away from the house to a lower area, a pop-up outlet, or a dry well.

How far can buried pipe carry water?

Sources commonly cite 10 to 50 feet, depending on the lot and where the outlet is.

Will an underground drain clog?

It can, because debris, grit or roots can build up out of sight. Smooth-bore pipe, a cleanout and a debris filter at the downspout reduce the risk, and keeping gutters clean helps.

Do I need underground drainage?

Not always. Surface extensions work on many lots. It is most useful when the ground is flat, the water has nowhere to go on the surface, or you want a cleaner look.

Do you call 811 before digging?

Marking buried utilities before any digging is standard practice, and we plan around it.