Gutter question around sidewalk

10 years ago

We recently purchased a new construction home. Like everything else in a builders spec home they cut anything they can save on, and I feel like our gutters might have been one of them. The downspout is already Starting to stain the sidewalk, but what I'm really worried about is winter. When the water comes out of the gutter then freezes there will be ice covering the sidewalk. Does anyone know how I should run it/ what would be the easiest way/ best route. The front yard does slope slightly.

Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

olychick

10 years ago

You must have some kind of warranty. I'd get the builder back there to run that downspout under the sidewalk and out to where it won't cause any problems. A rain barrel is just going to fill up and then the water will spill out all over the sidewalk, too.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

Brandi Nash Hicks
10 years ago
You have multiple post so I would remove the extras for best info, my advice is to get a decorative rain catching barrel and reuse the rain water for hous plants and car washing, as that gutter looks dangerous
Brandi Nash Hicks
10 years ago
Also I would paint the gutters the same color as your house,they are not accents and should blend in
Related Professionals
Davenport Interior Designers & Decorators · Akron Interior Designers & Decorators · La Crosse Interior Designers & Decorators · La Grande Interior Designers & Decorators · Sarasota Architects & Building Designers · Evansville Architects & Building Designers · Manhattan Architects & Building Designers · Erie Architects & Building Designers · Las Cruces Architects & Building Designers · Magog Architects & Building Designers · Elizabeth City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Miami Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Huntington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Portland Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Lake Havasu City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Catherine Barrett
10 years ago
I agree about the rain barrel ... measure carefully but some are very decorative like this and others. http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=39-604&start=2&cgid=Watering_RainBarrels
Catherine Barrett
10 years ago
Really like this one also .. I think it would fit right in with your lovely new home (some builders are idiots when it comes to the small important things!)

.. http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=39-346&start=6&cgid=Watering_RainBarrels
PRO
JAN MOYER
10 years ago
Classic bad roofline design sorry to say. Resulting in an unusable front door all winter long. I would consult an architect.
PRO
K.O.H. Construction Corporation
10 years ago
Install a pop up drain or underground drain, here is a video explaining technicalities. https://youtu.be/LJBPETVKt8s

We do this frequently before the sidewalk is installed. Boring under the walk will be the hardest thing, try to go under a expansion joint in case of settling. You'll need to fill that space under the walk with a flow-able concrete mix. It's not that hard too do. good luck
PRO
Comwest Construction
10 years ago
Great video. I suggest it as well.
Nathan Banga
Original Author
10 years ago
How difficult is it to dig out under a sidewalk.

Thanks that video was very helpful. Do you think Home Depot/ lowes/ menRds would have the parts for that.
PRO
Solar Texas
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Concrete should be about 4 inches thick Nathan. Depending on what's under the sod will determine how much work you'll have ahead of you. You'll probably want to dig down about a foot either side of the concrete with a decent sized hole so you can get your arm under the concrete. If you don't mind a mess in the mud, you can clear a path under the concrete with a garden hose and the jet nozzle blasting away the dirt until you get to the other side and then enlarge the hole by hand, or you can just dig away with garden tools or something similar from each side until you meet in the middle. Don't glue the fittings to the pipe until you have the pipe under the concrete. (Sounds like basic advice on that recommendation, but I'm the Homer Simpson type who gets halfway done then looks down with a "D'oh!") Make sure you don't hit sprinkler pipes, the main water supply or electrical cables. If you're not sure where they are, then call before you dig for the city underground hazard detection team or whatever name it goes by. Local hardware should have all the parts you need. Debris filter might be the hardest part to source, but it shouldn't be too difficult.