Disconnecting Your Downspout

Separate sanitary sewer systems are designed to convey only sanitary sewage. However, throughout Northern Kentucky many connections of roof downspouts, foundation drains, area drains and driveway drains have been made to the sanitary sewer system. During periods of rain, tremendous amounts of water enter the sewer system through these connections causing the capacity of the system to be exceeded. Often times the excess water in the sewers backs up into the basements of homes or overflows through manholes. Both of these situations represent significant public health concerns. If your downspouts are connected to the sanitary sewer system, reduce the risk of flooding your home or your neighbors by following these simple steps: 1. Get the downspout out of the boot. If the downspout cannot be easily lifted out of the boot, cut it just a few inches above the boot, making sure that enough room has been left for the downspout “elbow” or other end-of-pipe device. 2. Remove the boot. Carefully cut the boot with either a hack-saw or a hammer and chisel. Be sure to use safety glasses and try to remove any sharp edges which might remain on the pipe after it is cut.

3. Seal the boot. The boot must be permanently sealed up to keep water from entering the sewer line. During the follow-up inspection, inspectors will be checking to verify that all the boots have been permanently sealed.

Concrete or any other material which will create a permanent, weatherproof seal should be used to seal the boot.

Before proceeding, look down into the pipe to make sure any other junctions will not be blocked (such as a washing machine that happens to be tied into the same pipe). Then, to prevent the concrete from obstructing the home’s sewer service, ball up some newspaper and push it just three or four inches down into the boot. Make sure there is a snug fit, or the concrete could block the homeowner’s sewer service.

Carefully pour the concrete or other mixture into the pipe, and smooth the top surface. For a cleaner-looking job, cover the boot with a cap. (Please note that the cap alone is not acceptable – the pipe must be permanently sealed with a weather proof mixture.)

4. Re-direct rainwater with end-of-pipe devices(s). Make sure that the rainwater will be discharging a safe distance from the foundation of the home (two or three feet is usually sufficient). Also, be certain that runoff from the home will not cause problems for the neighbors.

In some situations, all that will be needed is an “elbow” pipe added to the bottom of the downspout, emptying onto a plastic or concrete splashblock. Other situations (such as sloping ground) may require a different solution. There are a number of other types of devices available which will channel the rainwater away from the home.


SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Rainleader on Steep Slope. This situation will follow the same basic steps outlined above. However, when the downspout is next to a steep slope, be careful that the new downspout won’t wash away soil on the hillside. There are two ways to avoid this: attach a pipe long enough to drain the rainwater in a safe area, or install an adjustable discharge device.

As always, make sure that water will not drain onto a neighbor’s property. Runoff from the downspout could cause erosion of the neighbor’s yard and even flooding of their home. Property maintenance codes may requires that the storm water be routed in such a way that it will not leave the property and cause problems for the neighbors. Never discharge storm water closer than 10’ from the property line.

Extended Boot. Some older homes in Northern Kentucky have boots that extend several feet above the ground. Once the boot has been removed a new section of downspout will need to be installed. Simply cut the new downspout pipe to the appropriate length, squeeze the end of the existing gutter slightly for an easy fit, and slide the new section of downspout into place. Add an appropriate end-of-pipe device (as described in step 4 above).

Inadequate Drainage. Some downspouts may have the usual in-boot style, but may be located on very flat ground with no place for the water to drain. One solution is to pipe the water safely away from the house with a pipe securely attached to the downspout’s “elbow.”

Another option is to use a device which will disperse the water enough so that it doesn’t form a puddle, and make sure that it is draining away from the foundation of the home.