HOW TO INSTALL A DRY WELL

Dry Wells for Drainage

A dry well is installed to help give runoff water an escape route so it doesn’t
collect around the house foundation. 

DRAINAGE SOLUTION: HOWTO INSTALL A DRY WELL

A dry well is a simple way to channel excess water out of low-lying or
water-laden areas, such as the ground beneath a gutter downspout. A dry
well system (see previous page) typically consists of a buried drain tile
running from a catch basin positioned at the problem spot to a collection
container some distance away.

A dry well system is easy to install and surprisingly inexpensive. In the
project shown here, a perforated plastic drain tile carries water from a catch
basin to a dry well fashioned from a plastic trash can that has been
punctured, then filled with stone rubble. The runoff water percolates into
the soil as it makes its way along the drainpipe and through the dry well.
The how-to steps of this project include digging the trench with a
shovel. If the catch basin is a long distance from the problem area, you
may want to rent a trencher to dig the trench quickly. Call local utility
companies to mark the location of underground mechanicals before you
start to dig.

Dig a trench (10" wide,14" deep) from the area where the water collects to the catch
basin location, sloping the trench 2" per 8 ft. Line the trench with landscape fabric and
then add a 1" layer of gravel on top of the fabric.

Set a length of perforated drain tile on the gravel running the full length of the
trench. If the trench starts at a downspout, position a grated catch basin directly
beneath the downspout and attach the end of the drain tile to the outlet port.

Install the dry well by digging a hole that’s big enough to hold a plastic trash can.
Drill 1" holes through the sides and bottom of the can every 4 to 6". Also cut an
access hole at the top of the can for the drain tile. Set the can in the hole and insert
the free end of the tile. Backfill dirt over the tile and trench and plant grass or cover
with sod.