The Second part of Rain Gutter project was to divert the run off from the roof to an area where it would be less disruptive to my Japanese Garden.
To complete this project, I decided to dig a trench from the end spout of the Rain gutter across my garden and install a french drain. The premise of a french drain is to divert water through piping which has holes in the bottom. As the water runs through the pipe it is leaked via the holes, into the ground so the area of water dispersement is increased by the length of the pipe.
Once the trench was dug, I began to install the french drain piping. For this step, I laid out the piping and measured and cut to fit. Prior to using the PVC cement to glue the pieces together I installed a piping sleeve. The pipe sleeve is a material that is similar to whats used as a ground cover protector for weeds. The thin cloth protects the pipe from getting dirt and debris in the holes while allowing water to flow through it. Using the sleeve will also eliminate the pipe getting clogged by roots and weeds.
At the end of the french drain I decided to install a dry well to handle any heavy rain run off. For the dry well I dug a hole approximately 6 ft deep and placed a 4 foot trash can in the hole. Prior to installing the trash can, I drilled several 1 inch holes in the bottom of the trash can. The purpose of the dry well is to capture any of the water which is not leaked out of the holes in the french drain. That water would be diverted into the trash can.
Once the pipes and dry well were in place, I tested the whole drainage system by running a water hose into the rain gutter and watching for the water to leak through the piping along its route and ultimately into the trash can.
I noticed a few leak spots in my gutter system and patched them by using a spray silicone sealant.
I then filled the bottom of the trench and the entire trash can with crushed granite for the purposes of absorbing the water and allowing it to slowly seep into the soil beneath it, ultimately back into the groundwater.
I finished the project by placing some soil separator material over the pipe, trashcan and crushed granite and then backfilling the trench and hole with dirt.
During this installation, I also took the opportunity to reroute some sprinkler piping to areas where I would need them.
French Drain Piping
Sleeve
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Drain-Sleeve-4-in-x-10-ft-Filter-Sock-04010-12/100131144#.UoKwixY0qxI
Soil Separator
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Soil-Separator-Trench-Wrap-36150SSF-6/100154781#.UoKw7RY0qxI
Trash Can
French Drain and Dry Well Expenses: $200
Running Total: $830
GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 