Home Drainage Done Right: How We're Solving Water Flow Issues in Pickerington
Double B Excavations & Grade LLC
When One Size Doesn't Fit All
WHY STANDARD SOLUTIONS DON'T ALWAYS WORK FOR UNIQUE HOMES
When it comes to home drainage, there's no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution.
We're seeing this firsthand at our current project in Pickerington, where someone tried to force all the roof drainage through a single system.
It's like trying to drain a swimming pool through a garden hose - technically possible, but definitely not the best approach.
Every home tells its own story, and this one's telling us that the previous drainage setup just isn't cutting it. The good news?
We know exactly how to fix it, and we're going to show you why sometimes the smartest solution isn't the most obvious one.
Welcome to Double B!
The Pickerington Project Overview
When we first arrived at this Pickerington property last week, we found what we unfortunately see too often - a drainage system that wasn't designed for the actual size of the roof it's serving. The current setup has all the downspouts tied into one line, and it's way overloaded. That's like trying to merge four lanes of traffic into one - something's bound to back up.
We're looking at about 500 feet of work here. That's not a small job, and it's exactly why we're taking two days to do it right. The existing downspouts are, to put it plainly, junk. They're not just underperforming - they're putting the home at risk for water damage. Instead of just replacing what's there, we're completely rethinking how to move water away from this house efficiently.
The good news is, we've got plenty of slope to work with. When you're dealing with water, gravity is your friend, and this property gives us lots of options for directing water flow. This means we can focus on spreading the water out rather than just trying to force it through bigger pipes.
Understanding Home Drainage Basics
Let me break down why this stuff really matters. Your roof is basically a giant water collector. During a good rain, it's gathering thousands of gallons of water that all needs to go somewhere. When that water isn't handled right, it can cause serious problems for your foundation, basement, and landscaping.
Think about it this way: during a heavy storm, your roof is like a bunch of streams all flowing into one river. If that river (your downspout system) isn't big enough to handle all that water, you're going to have flooding. A lot of people think the solution is just to use bigger pipes, but that's not always the best answer. Sometimes, like in this Pickerington project, it makes more sense to create multiple smaller streams instead of one big river.
The Smart Solution
Here's where our experience really comes into play. Instead of trying to force all this roof water through one overloaded system, we're creating multiple paths. We're shooting one line through here, another through there, and strategically tying certain downspouts together where it makes sense.
This approach has several advantages:
- Better water distribution across the property
- Less chance of any one line getting overwhelmed
- Easier maintenance (if one line needs work, the others still function)
- More efficient use of the natural slope we have to work with
The best part? We don't need to upsize any pipes. By spreading out the water flow, we're working with what we have in a smarter way. It's not about using bigger materials - it's about using them more effectively. This kind of solution might take more planning and careful installation, but it's going to work better and last longer than just trying to force everything through one big pipe.
Project Implementation
The work we're doing in Pickerington isn't just about ripping out old pipes and putting in new ones. Every step matters. First, we're carefully removing all those old, overloaded downspouts. But before we start laying any new pipe, we're mapping out exactly where each water path needs to go. This isn't guesswork - it's careful planning based on the roof layout and the natural slope of the property.
This is a big job - 500 feet of drainage work doesn't happen overnight. That's why we're taking two full days to do it right. Could we rush it? Sure. But rushing drainage work is like taking shortcuts on your home's foundation - it might look fine at first, but you'll pay for it later.
Lessons for Homeowners
Here's what every homeowner should take away from this Pickerington project: if you see water backing up in your downspouts during heavy rain, don't ignore it. That's your house telling you something's wrong. Other warning signs include:
- Overflowing gutters even when they're clean
- Water pooling around your foundation
- Basement dampness after rain
- Erosion around downspout outlets
Closing
When we finish this project in Pickerington, this home will have a drainage system that actually works with the property instead of against it. The water will flow where it should, protecting the foundation and preventing the kind of backup that causes problems down the road.
Looking Forward
If you're seeing any of those warning signs we mentioned, or if you're just not sure about your home's drainage setup, it's worth getting it checked out. Water problems never get better on their own, but they're usually pretty straightforward to fix if you catch them early.
Need someone to take a look at your drainage situation in Pickerington or anywhere in central Ohio? We're always happy to come out and assess what's really going on with your system. Because at the end of the day, protecting your home from water damage isn't just about installing pipes - it's about installing the right solution for your specific situation.
