How to Install a Driveway Culvert Pipe

The drainage of rainwater from your property is important to maintaining the foundation or slab your home is built on. The grading around a house should divert water away from the house and to whatever municipal public works service has been made for storm water removal, be it a storm drain or a ditch. Moving that water across a driveway requires a culvert, or drainage pipe to prevent standing water and allow the water to drain from the property.

Things You'll Need

• Chalk line
• Tape measure
• Gasoline powered concrete saw
• Shovel
• Culvert pipe
• Level
• Gravel
• Concrete or asphalt mix
• Wheelbarrow
• 3 pieces of 2x4 lumber
• Wooden stakes

Instructions

1. Snap parallel chalk lines across the driveway, placed at least 1 1/2 times the diameter of the culvert pipe apart. If the culvert is a 6 inch diameter culvert, snap the lines at least 9 inches apart. Set the saw depth to cut through the driveway and cut along both lines.

2. Remove the concrete or asphalt chunks. Dig a trench to a depth that is 4 inches below the level of the ditch on either side. Put a fall (downward slope) on the bottom of the trench, at least 1/4 inch per foot, in the direction water is to flow through the culvert.

3. Place a 4 inch layer of gravel along the bottom of the trench and compact it. Lay the culvert in the trench over the gravel and check the fall with a level, making sure it is at least 1/4 inch per foot. A 10 foot length of culvert should drop 2-1/2 inches over its length. Ensure the culvert is supported entirely by the gravel.

4. Fill the trench around the culvert with additional gravel. Tamp it until it is firm. Do not overfill the trench, leaving room for the concrete or asphalt to repair the driveway.

5. Fill the trench around the culvert with additional gravel. Tamp it until it is firm. Do not overfill the trench, leaving room for the concrete or asphalt to repair the driveway.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult your local building code enforcement department or public works department. Culvert crossings often occur in the municipality right of way and any modification to the right of way must be approved by the governing agency. The size of the culvert must be large enough to accommodate the largest flow of water. Measure the depth of the ditch or stream from the bed to the high water marks. Consult the resources for in depth information.

References

• Rural Driveway Design

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Culvert Crossings