Diverting rain water from down spouts4/11/2024 ![]() A downspout can be connected to one or more rain barrel(s).Use corrugated plastic tubing to direct overflow away from the foundation of your home. An overflow device allows excess water to escape when the barrel or cistern is full.Rather, rain barrels are most useful as an addition to other stormwater controls. Unless you have a cistern, this option generally does not provide enough storage capacity to greatly reduce the amount of runoff flowing to the lawn during large storms. Rain barrels are simple to install and inexpensive. Larger cisterns can hold hundreds or even thousands of gallons. A typical rain barrel holds about 50 gallons of water. Rain barrels come in many shapes and sizes. Rain Barrel or CisternĪ rain barrel is a large container that attaches to the end of a downspout and stores water for later use, such as watering your garden or lawn. In other jurisdictions, refer to local codes and ordinances. If more than 2500 square feet will be disturbed in constructing one of these practices, you will need a permit in Fairfax County. Before installing a rain garden or dry well, you should also do an infiltration test. Find your soil type using Soil Survey maps. Soil with high groundwater or very shallow depths to bedrock are also problematic. If your soil has a poor infiltration rate, an underdrain may need to be included in the design of a rain garden or dry well.Rain gardens or dry wells should not be located next to the foundation of the home to avoid water problems in the basement or foundation.However, these practices may not be appropriate for every location. For instance, a grassy swale or downspout extension can be built to deliver runoff to a dry well or rain garden. They can also be combined with structures that redirect runoff. These solutions have many environmental benefits: reducing runoff from your property, filtering runoff, watering your yard and recharging groundwater. Dry wells, soil amendment and rain gardens are used to infiltrate water into the soil. Rain barrels and cisterns are used for storage. Runoff can be captured and stored for use or allowed to soak into the soil. ![]() Many of the practices described below can be used in tandem: for example, you can safely redirect runoff and then capture it and allow it to soak into the soil. ![]() These techniques will minimize the amount of water that accumulates or that causes erosion in the problem area. If you have heavy runoff from roof downspouts and neighboring properties, redirecting or capturing runoff can provide better control. The following approaches to redirect and capture runoff can be used to control heavy runoff causing prolonged wet areas or yard erosion.
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