How to Put a Culvert in a Driveway
Building a house in a rural or undeveloped area often requires installing devices for bridging over a public ditch to the driveway. A culvert is usually mandatory to keep ditches from becoming blocked with built-up sediment from traffic, and it helps provide an accessible, well-draining driveway. Improperly installed culverts can impact on drainage and public roads; professional installation is recommended and there may be a local permit and inspection process. Check with local government, engineers and suppliers for best practices in the area. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Culvert, corrugated steel pipe
- Backfill gravel, 1/4 inch to 1 inch
- Top backfill gravel, 3/4 inch to 2 inch, road mix quality
- Drain rock, 2 to 6 inches
- Vibrating compactor
Instructions
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Determine the required diameter of culvert from regulations or engineering specifications for the conditions. The culvert should extend beyond the width of the driveway by a few feet on each side.
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2
Remove all organic material in the area where the culvert is to be located and excavate 6 inches below the low point of the ditch for the length of the culvert in line with the direction that water flows. Fill the excavated area with backfill gravel.
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Place the culvert on the gravel, with its low point 1 inch below the low point, or flow line, of the ditch. Make sure the pipe is sloped so that water can move through it.
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4
Backfill the length of each side of the pipe with gravel. Place it in layers 6 inches deep and compact each layer before continuing. Cover the pipe with backfill gravel to the recommended minimum depth for the pipe size. Finish the last 3 inches with road mix, or top backfill-type, gravel.
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5
Place drain rock in front of each end of the culvert, 3 inches deep, for the width of the culvert and at least 3 feet in length.
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Level the backfill with the shoulder of the road. Leave the ditch and road shoulder in raked and clean condition. The gravel cover can be finished with paving.
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Tips & Warnings
Grade the surface over the culvert with a swale, or shallow depression, so that the driveway doesn't drain to the road.
Pipe cover is recommended as minimum 12 inches for pipes less than 24 inches in diameter, and a minimum depth equal to half the diameter of the pipe for larger pipes.
Install flared ends on the culvert for added strength, if necessary. Concrete end walls may require a local permit.
Residential culverts are typically 16 inches in diameter, but may vary according to conditions.
Impeding drainage in the ditch can have serious consequences and may be subject to fines.
References
- Government of British Columbia; Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure; Residential Driveways Information Sheet: Location, Design and Construction on Side Roads Outside Municipalities; Construction
- Highland Ranches Property Owners Association:Suggested Guidelines for the Installation of Driveway and Culverts
- Vermont Local Roads: Effects of Drainage Design on Road Performance
