How can I address the water runoff from the front valley point without installing a traditional gutter system or causing hydrostatic pressure near my house, while keeping the aesthetics in mind?
Asked by Živan Stanojević 
7 months ago
Last Updated: May 16, 2024
Hey, got any suggestions on how to deal with the water coming off that front valley spot? It’s too far for a gutter setup and too distant from existing gutters to connect them. The water is pooling near the house and creating a lot of pressure. Any thoughts on using wide mouth or custom rain catches that won’t stick out too much? I’ve already cleared out all the landscaping and don’t want to redo it until I find a solution. Thanks!
Have you considered a rain barrel paired with a rain chain?
I’m here to tell you this.
Maybe I should start by slowing down the water.
I bet if we had one hard rain, it would fill up like 2 or 3 rain barrels. But then we would have to figure out what to do with all the extra water. We have one already and it’s always full. I use it to water my flowers and it’s great.
Consider adding a v-wall at the top of the chain to create a barrier that channels the water down effectively.
Could you explain what a v wall is? I’m not familiar with that term. Is it the same as a diverter?
How about creating a trench next to your sidewalk (especially if it slants away from the house) and adding decorative rocks? It could make for a nice pathway to the house.
The sidewalk needs to be crossed for it to gently slope into a channelled section.
Maybe consider removing or cutting out a section of the sidewalk to make way for river rocks that can redirect water flow, resembling a small river. Then, you can construct a vintage-style bridge for people to walk over. It would definitely add some charm to the property.
I think a rain chain might be the only solution, but I’m not sure it can handle that much water
French drain featuring a pit
Add some ripples similar to a sluice box to reduce the speed, and attach a chain to a drain.
I recently started researching . I was about to work on a custom boulder pile that doubles as a rain catch with a drain that diverts water away from the house when it rains.
You can actually go under the sidewalk without having to cut the concrete. It’s just a matter of digging it out by hand. We did this for my brother because he had a lot of roof drainage going to an area next to the house, and the water had no way to escape. We dug down both sides of the sidewalk and hand-troweled a channel underneath. We also added a trench down the slope for the water to flow away. Installed landscape perforated pipe with a pop-up to release the water downhill if more than the pipe could handle.
The large surface area in that particular valley will capture a significant amount of water, especially during heavy storms. A gutter divertor may not be sufficient to handle all the water. It might be beneficial to have pavement underneath the chain and ensure proper grading for efficient drainage.
Shares that during a bad storm, he lays a tarp on the ground to channel water away from the house. He has been searching for a solution for years.
Let’s just get that gutter fixed. Goodness gracious!🤦♂️
Is quite the clever guy. Everything has already been taken care of.
Instead of flowing into a dry creek bed or a French drain collection bin, the rain chain could be directed to discharge water at the street.
Consider using a wide scupper and an ornamental rain chain, and make use of a dry bed drain or catch basin for proper drainage.
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Creating a rain garden could be a great idea.
I’ll need to look up . I don’t believe I’ve ever come across a rain garden before.
Has chosen plants that are extremely resilient, able to withstand heavy watering and drought with their long roots. They are usually beautifully arranged with a water element and a smooth path for water drainage.
You probably have more important things to worry about
Has completed all the work. Brand new k6 gutters, azek rakings, azek fascia, and new 3×4 leaders. All connected to underground drains.
Watch some videos of water cascading down a thick chain for inspiration.
As I’m going through the comments, it seems like everyone is on the same page 🤣🤣🤣
Debin Joe F*** I was also considering the chain. Great minds think alike
We could use wider gutters and a protective guard. Even if it looks a bit tacky, it gets the job done.
I’m already running k6 all over the place and it’s doing a great job moving the water. This corner is just a disaster.
I get where you’re coming from, . Totally makes sense.
Consider installing a water conduit from the roof to the ground or directing the flow to a new catch basin/sump with a large diameter DWV leading to a suitable daylighting point. Make sure to have clean outs at both ends before planting. A catch basin/sump is recommended to trap debris with its lower section, allowing for easy removal, and reduce the amount of debris in the discharge piping. Remember, this is just a basic idea that can be adjusted to your specific conditions. Best of luck finding a quick and smooth solution to the challenge. (DWV stands for Drain, Waste, and Vent).
The roof extension in a V-shape is supported by a mason column, extending three feet out with a chain for guidance
I saw a house once that had a heavy chain hanging from the bottom corner, directing water to a specific location
Let’s not even think about using a gutter here. It won’t fit architecturally, and practically, it just won’t work. My suggestion is to create a design that allows the ground to absorb the water, using a yard drain or a lawn drain. You can include a sump pump in it to help redirect the water. I recommend lining the area with a thick liner, covering it with rocks, and ensuring proper drainage into the sump basin. A sturdy yard grate drain, possibly in green, can be a great addition. Consider using a chain to discreetly guide the water straight down into the drain. You could also connect your other gutter drain to the sump pump basin. Just make sure the water is discharged far away from your home’s foundations, in an appropriate area that allows for downhill flow. And of course, avoid sending the water towards your neighbor’s house.
Hey , I’m thinking about a unique Boulder design to conceal a rain catch or creating my own inground drain with an outlet to direct it towards the driveway.
Hey , have you heard of getting a precast concrete basin that leads to a drain? My friend actually used that for a waterfall near his pool. It’s a similar idea!
Rain barrels equipped with extended drainage system.
How about having a fish pond?
Finds it interesting but personally prefers being free from mosquitoes lol. It’s been 6 years since he last saw one.
Feeder goldfish by . In some areas, they can survive the winter. We usually return ours to the fish store when it starts freezing up.
Rain chain that directs water to French drain or a drain system underground.
I can’t recall the name, but I notice there’s a sidewalk so space might be limited. However, if you dig a trench that’s long and deep enough to handle regular runoff and fill it with rocks, some people also plant along the line.
Is working on a landscape bed that is completely enclosed by the house, driveway, and walkway. It’s challenging to get enough sunlight in there.
The only idea that comes to mind is getting a gorgeous copper gutter and downspout, maybe even placing the downspout underground with a pipe running along the sidewalk.
You might need to install a catch basin and pipe to drain the water away. Depending on the slope of your lot, you may also require a sump pump to pump out the water.
Can you remind me to clean out the gutters before winter comes?
Your gutter is in bad shape. Consider framing a box at the bottom of the valley and using a hand-cut miter with a steeper pitch to direct water into the gutter that needs fixing. ‘t forget to add downspouts at the end. It might have been better to build the roof differently.
I actually didn’t construct it… I actually came here 7 years ago and have been managing it since then. The gutters, fascia, and rakings have all been redone and made larger.
How about a French drain that directs water away from the house?
You could enclose it with a box around the post and add a gutter to it. I don’t think it would stand out too much.
You could consider using a rain chain, which could help. Then, you can place rocks at the bottom to further divert the water away.
You might want to think about installing the rain handler system for the area where the gutters need fixing. I believe Home Depot carries it.
I’ll take a look at the gutters, rakings, and fascia that redid.
Consider installing shorter gutters with a guard and a rain chain hanging down.
How about connecting the rain chain to a French drain?
We could use more pictures for the drainage system design, taking into account the entire roof, property size, slope, local regulations, and so on. Consider using a drone to capture some 360-degree views. This is not just a quick solution. Given the size of the roof, it’s important to note that one of your gutters is already damaged. Investing in a properly designed drainage system now will prevent significant damage in the future.
Consider using a rain chain along with a sloped dry bed to divert water away from the house.
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You’ve got a visitor on your porch. 😉 My top pick would be a stylish rain barrel filled with vibrant stones and succulents.
Hey, I was just thinking about getting a rain barrel.
A rain chain is not a viable solution. Enlarging it to handle heavy rain would make it extremely unsightly. I suggest going with a boulder pile catchment system to prevent erosion and guide the flow, whether it’s a light rain or a heavy downpour. Using a combination of rocks and water garden plantings can create a visually pleasing effect.
Yep, . We had a rain chain on a roof much smaller than the one in the picture. It was nothing but trouble. We ended up switching to a regular downspout.
If the big bush by the front door is gone, could you redo the sidewalk so you approach the porch from the side instead of the front, and then address the issue with the ground water? The only gutter option that makes sense to me is installing a scupper box and a chain downspout, even though it might not look very appealing.
External valley gutter
Thinks a rain chain would be a great addition to this.
How about a rain chain?
Could you please do this for me?
Rain garden
A few years ago, we bought a product designed to disperse rain in a splatter pattern instead of a direct stream to the ground. It worked really well in a situation similar to yours where a traditional gutter wouldn’t be effective. I came across something similar online. You should check out the Rainhandler Gutter on YouTube.
Rain diverters and a rain chain
I’m no expert, but I think a rain chain cascading into a rock garden would be lovely and simple to set up!
Have you thought about using a rain chain to guide the runoff into a decorative feature?