At Home Evolutions VA, one of our top priorities is moving water where it’s supposed to go: away from your home. With our leaf-free gutter system, we’ve been meeting the needs of our customers in Lynchburg and surrounding Virginia areas for years.
While the traditional above-ground gutter drain is a common option, underground gutter drains are another option to consider with some key advantages. Let’s dive into underground gutter drains and all they entail:
What are underground gutter drains?
Connecting directly to your gutter system, underground drains allow rainwater (as well as melting snow and/or ice) to flow from your gutters through the downspout into the underground drain and away from your home. Based on the length of underground drain installed, one advantage is that they can extend far enough to direct water toward a street drain. A key aspect of effective underground gutter drains is ensuring they are installed at the proper angle to prevent water from moving backward toward the home.
How do you install underground gutter drains?
There are five basic steps to installation of an underground gutter drain system. While they may seem basic, they are not always easy! Be sure you’re fully trained and equipped to install the system (or you’ve hired a top-notch team), as improper installation could result in costly issues. The main steps include:
- Mark the line: Determine where your trench line will go in your yard.
- Dig the trench: Once you’ve determined where you want your trench to be, you can dig it out. Make sure you take good measurements and only dig as wide as you need – you don’t want to tear up your yard too much! Be careful to note any gas lines (call 811!) before you dig.
- Install pipes and elbows: There are two main components of underground gutter drain systems: the waterproof drain pipe (most common types include PVC and polyethylene), and the elbow connecting the pipe to your downspout. You can use different lengths of pipe depending on your needs.
- Connect your downspouts: It is important to ensure that your downspouts are well connected to your underground gutter drain. Improper execution of this step could lead to leaks, water buildup, and foundation issues that could be costly to repair in the future.
- Fill the trench: You can use the same dirt or new dirt to refill your trenches and re-landscape your yard. Be sure that your pipes are no longer visible and use enough dirt to prevent any spotty areas in your yard.
What are the advantages of underground gutter drains?
Underground gutter drains, when properly installed, can have many advantages over traditional gutter drains, primarily in the curb appeal and lawn maintenance aspects. With an underground gutter drain, gone are the days when you have to worry about hitting your drain with your lawnmower or accidentally disconnecting it when you move it out of the way. With underground gutter drains, your lawnmower can mow as normal without interfering with the system. An added benefit: you don’t have to worry about tripping over those above-ground downspouts anymore!
Another advantage is enhanced curb appeal. If you spend significant time and money making sure your yard looks stunning, then a large gutter drain on top of your yard could be an eyesore that you don’t want. Using the underground system can provide an ideal aesthetic to your yard and increase resale value when it comes time to consider selling your home.
How does our full gutter system work with an underground gutter drain system?
One major disadvantage of an underground gutter drain is that without proper installation, it could be easily clogged. Like an above-ground system, you want to avoid leaves, gravel, and other debris clogging up your drains. But unlike an above-ground system, noticing a clog could be more difficult, not to mention cleaning it out. That’s where Home Evolutions VA can help, with our one-time gutter solution: The K-Guard Leaf-Free Gutter System.
What Sets Our Gutter System Apart
- We don’t interfere with your roof: K-Guard uses high-strength hangers, hung at intervals along the gutter line. Since these hangers attach to the fascia and not the roof, it will not affect your roof warranty. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about your roof being impacted by the additional weight of the gutters.
- Our system includes the gutters AND covers: Other systems often provide only covers to put over your existing gutters, but ours include both. All the better for your investment, ensuring that your gutters and covers work seamlessly together.
- No more clogs: Our unique system prevents leaves and debris from creating clogs, allowing only water into your gutters – the way that it should be. No clogs in your gutters mean no clogs in your underground gutter drain. It’s a win-win for your home and your wallet.
- Our gutters hold more water: Because our gutters are bigger than traditional systems, they can hold far more water. That’s especially helpful during those heavy Virginia rains.
Home Evolutions VA is dedicated to educating our clientele so they can make the best decisions for upkeeping and upgrading their Central Virginia homes. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about your gutters, drainage, or other products or concerns. Call (434) 525-0403 to connect with friendly professionals today!
