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Guide to Drain Pipe Installation in Greenville, SC

Homeowners in Greenville and Spartanburg Counties in South Carolina rely on Waldrop for professional drain pipe installation and repiping services. You must have functional drain pipes for your plumbing to work and for water to drain away from your property. Installing a drainage pipe is best left to the professionals. But if you’re interested in a DIY challenge or just curious about how the process works, here’s a look at how we handle drain pipe installation in Greenville, SC.

Determine the Drainage Solution You Need

The water issue you’re facing, the soil type, and whether you can install an exterior drainage system affect how to proceed. You’ll need to be careful if there are buried sewer, power, or gas lines on your property. If the main problem is surface water, a french drain made of a perforated plastic pipe, permeable mesh sock, and gravel can be installed. A perforated drain pipe can address issues such as standing water or excess groundwater near your foundation. It’s often connected to a sump pump.

Know Your Local Regulations

Research the laws in your state, city, or county regarding drain pipe installation and foundation drainage. Some projects might not be legal or only a professional may be legally permitted to do them. Depending on your drainage system, any changes to it may affect adjacent or nearby properties. Also, consider a proper slope for exterior drainage, which is 1 foot in rise per 50 feet of run.

Steps to Drain Pipe Installation in Greenville, SC

  1. Mark the Path for the Pipe: You can use string, small flags, or a marking spray to mark the path where the drain pipe will go. The path should be as direct as possible. Marking it will help you know where to work.
  2. Start Trenching: After contacting your utility company to mark where your utility lines are, and determining the trench will have the proper elevation to direct water away, it’s time to get digging. The trench should be about twice the width of the drainage pipe. It should run up to the downspout on the house and be about 16 to 18 inches deep.
  3. Adjust the Slope: To properly slope the line, drive stakes or markers into the soil with a sledgehammer about every four feet. Tie a string to the stake where the pipe will start. Then run it to the next stake and wrap it around. Once the string is run the length of the trench, use a line level to make sure the string (and the pipe course) is properly sloped. Repeat the process at each stake.
  4. Level the Soil: The distance between the string and the soil should be the same at each tie around. You’ll also need a solid base, which you can create with a tamper (a type of striking tool). Once all the soil in your trench is tamped down, the stake and string guides can be removed.
  5. Secure the Drain Path: Lay a geotextile fabric along the trench; it should be wide enough to wrap around the pipe and gravel later. Pour gravel directly onto the fabric, in a layer up to two inches deep, and level it with a rake.
  6. Install the Pipe: Attach a downspout adapter to the bottom of the rain gutter, securing it with clips, and place a 90-degree elbow at the other end of the trench. Measure the distance from the adapter to the mid-point of the elbow and cut a section of pipe that matches the length you measured. Insert the pipe into the trench between the adapter and the elbow; cement it in place and then cover it with gravel. 
  7. Fill the Trench: Wait until the pipe is set and dried. All parts of it should lay flat; add dirt to any that don’t, so the drainage system has support. Wrap the fabric completely around the pipe and add more gravel. Add dirt next, making sure it’s packed evenly across the ground and fills the trench.

Determine If You Need a Professional

Installing a drain pipe can be difficult if you’re not experienced. A professional installer can help choose a piping material (PVC pipes are usually preferred) and use their knowledge to design a drainage line. At Waldrop, our licensed technicians provide all types of plumbing services and are equipped to provide high-quality drain pipe installation in Greenville, SC. There’s no guesswork and satisfaction is guaranteed, while we offer coupons, specials, and financing. To learn more, call 864-536-0887.


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