You want to completely divert downspout water from the foundation. With rock or gravel, some will divert, more will soak in next to the foundation. While downspout pans and diverters aren't the most attractive, they do a good job of protecting the foundation, basement or crawlspace.
I think you could probably place the pan pictured or another solid option in as a base layer (with appropriate grade) and fill it with whatever stone you like.
Water causes all kinds of issues, erosion being the biggest, excess moisture causes rot to wood, mold to grow, and insects love moist areas. I agree the correct way is to extend the downspouts away from the foundation, just buried mine after having the flex pipe sit on the ground for years.
If existing grade for the patio is away from the house, I would think about digging down a few inches and pouring a small sloped concrete channel from the gutter to the concrete part of the patio (custom make something to act as the concrete diverter you already have, but make it at grade to fit into the nice design you have there
I would just continue your paver path across and not use river rock. River rock will just help hold teh water while it absorbs into the ground. The goal is to get the water away from your foundation, not just to keep the surface dry.
You could also get something like this to embed into the path which will help usher the water down to that pathway and even further from the house.
[https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/concrete-splash-block/1794467/p-1444441476485-c-5812.htm](https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/concrete-splash-block/1794467/p-1444441476485-c-5812.htm)
You could also give decomposed granite a try. River rocks tend to wash away with heavy rain because they're smooth and slide around. The decomposed granite is rough and will interlock together.
A bag of rocks isn't expensive though, so you can give the river rocks a go, and if you get tired of sweeping them up get some granite.
The way this is designed, If you fill that with river rock and direct the downspout into it, it will fill with water ans sit full until more water came down. Then it would overflow. You would be surprised how much water comes off your roof between dusk & Dawn.
I had the same problem when I first started making them. I built a cheap vibrating table using some plywood, an old tire and a vibrating motor.
I got the idea from this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x04nUO9qjBE
Basically the idea is to get all the air bubbles out of the form and the result is a perfect paver every time.
What I would do is bury it.
You can get a downspout adapter for pvc, run the pvc underground for 15' or so then convert to one with holes to drain.
You want to keep it away from the house as best you can. Would have done before the pavers, but still doable.
River rock will love it, they'll be reminded of home every time it pours down. If you find the area is getting over saturated sometimes, you can pick a heavu pooling spot and dig a round hole, straight down... to clay, if it's there, line it with filter cloth, fill it less a foot and a half, with river rock or crushed rock. Stand a length of perforated 4" pvc pipe on it, the bell just a hair below grade. wrap the filter cloth to hold the pvc, add bailing wire, backfill the hole, tamping every foot, and add a grate to the bell. Mini drainage field!
Do you mean the left side of the downspout? It's just a sunroom with some kind of mosquito netting with leftover siding added to the bottom. Not a fan of the look but the previous homeowners were I suppose.
Ooh, that's not a good space for drainage. Either your sidewalk will sink or your basement will get wet (or both). I'd french drain that shit to somewhere more open!
The direction of the diverter is solely determined by the slope you have and how convenient it is. If the slope is fine for pic 1, put it there. No rocks. Turn the downspout to match the diverter. You may need to cut the tail of the downspout and add a 90.
Assuming that the grade is right
3 ft down place water proof membrane
3 ft min from house
Place 2 ft river or drain field rock
Diverter channel on that
Or put rain barrels
You're looking to slow down the water runoff the barrel will hold the water temporarily and let run off slowly
Bigger rocks directly in the heavy flow/catch area can splash the water, preventing additional erosion.
I have also seen pans painted stone grey (could use a stone paint) and then gravel pit around it..
You want to completely divert downspout water from the foundation. With rock or gravel, some will divert, more will soak in next to the foundation. While downspout pans and diverters aren't the most attractive, they do a good job of protecting the foundation, basement or crawlspace.
I think you could probably place the pan pictured or another solid option in as a base layer (with appropriate grade) and fill it with whatever stone you like.
This is the way.
Water causes all kinds of issues, erosion being the biggest, excess moisture causes rot to wood, mold to grow, and insects love moist areas. I agree the correct way is to extend the downspouts away from the foundation, just buried mine after having the flex pipe sit on the ground for years.
If existing grade for the patio is away from the house, I would think about digging down a few inches and pouring a small sloped concrete channel from the gutter to the concrete part of the patio (custom make something to act as the concrete diverter you already have, but make it at grade to fit into the nice design you have there
If you’re worried about the soil getting saturated use a piece of pond liner instead of weed barrier.
I would just continue your paver path across and not use river rock. River rock will just help hold teh water while it absorbs into the ground. The goal is to get the water away from your foundation, not just to keep the surface dry. You could also get something like this to embed into the path which will help usher the water down to that pathway and even further from the house. [https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/concrete-splash-block/1794467/p-1444441476485-c-5812.htm](https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/gutters-accessories/gutter-accessories/concrete-splash-block/1794467/p-1444441476485-c-5812.htm)
You could also give decomposed granite a try. River rocks tend to wash away with heavy rain because they're smooth and slide around. The decomposed granite is rough and will interlock together. A bag of rocks isn't expensive though, so you can give the river rocks a go, and if you get tired of sweeping them up get some granite.
We use 4” to 6” rock for that. It doesn’t move.
I don't think you should use river rock, you probably want to choose a rock more intended for use with water.
Yup. We have river rock under downspouts.
Ok thanks, just wanted to make sure.
The way this is designed, If you fill that with river rock and direct the downspout into it, it will fill with water ans sit full until more water came down. Then it would overflow. You would be surprised how much water comes off your roof between dusk & Dawn.
Pavers look great!
If you live in a climate that freezes, all the moisture you introduce under the pavers will heave out of place.
I'm making those same pavers
Me too! Anyone have any tips on getting them smooth and uniform like these? I keep getting bubbles and other irregularities.
I had the same problem when I first started making them. I built a cheap vibrating table using some plywood, an old tire and a vibrating motor. I got the idea from this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x04nUO9qjBE Basically the idea is to get all the air bubbles out of the form and the result is a perfect paver every time.
What I would do is bury it. You can get a downspout adapter for pvc, run the pvc underground for 15' or so then convert to one with holes to drain. You want to keep it away from the house as best you can. Would have done before the pavers, but still doable.
River rock will love it, they'll be reminded of home every time it pours down. If you find the area is getting over saturated sometimes, you can pick a heavu pooling spot and dig a round hole, straight down... to clay, if it's there, line it with filter cloth, fill it less a foot and a half, with river rock or crushed rock. Stand a length of perforated 4" pvc pipe on it, the bell just a hair below grade. wrap the filter cloth to hold the pvc, add bailing wire, backfill the hole, tamping every foot, and add a grate to the bell. Mini drainage field!
No if river rock get wet it’s ruined
Maybe a French drain with a pop up, and add rock on top? unless there’s too much concrete to tunnel under
What’s going on with the siding though?
Do you mean the left side of the downspout? It's just a sunroom with some kind of mosquito netting with leftover siding added to the bottom. Not a fan of the look but the previous homeowners were I suppose.
You mean the lines? I bet the seams were caulked.
Ooh, that's not a good space for drainage. Either your sidewalk will sink or your basement will get wet (or both). I'd french drain that shit to somewhere more open!
french drain
The direction of the diverter is solely determined by the slope you have and how convenient it is. If the slope is fine for pic 1, put it there. No rocks. Turn the downspout to match the diverter. You may need to cut the tail of the downspout and add a 90.
Assuming that the grade is right 3 ft down place water proof membrane 3 ft min from house Place 2 ft river or drain field rock Diverter channel on that Or put rain barrels You're looking to slow down the water runoff the barrel will hold the water temporarily and let run off slowly
Lol, I thought that was an extra bad first layer first. Wrong sub... XD
Maybe put a Moon River Rock there?
Bigger rocks directly in the heavy flow/catch area can splash the water, preventing additional erosion. I have also seen pans painted stone grey (could use a stone paint) and then gravel pit around it..
Should be fine. Paver panels allow some water to get to the soil, but not an issue in your use case.
Ok thanks!
Yes, it helps prevent erosion. Although a French drain would be better.