Pipes should be anchored above grade as well as below grade. The gravel provides a uniform bedding for drain pipes to create a consistent pipe slope and provide a free draining material adjacent to perforated pipes. Water moves through the spaces between the gravel before entering a pipe or other means of conveyance. This material is usually delivered to your property by a gravel supply company. Return to top Installation Considerations Always mark the locations of utilities before you begin construction.
Utilities can include power, telephone, water, gas, cable, and others.
Be sure to also locate these utilities prior to construction. Drainage system installation should be done during dry weather periods except in emergency situations. Excavations can quickly be flooded with water making proper construction difficult and dangerous. If there is a lot of water present while excavating soil, you will have sediments accumulating in the gravel openings, on the geotextile, in pipes and catchbasins, and in marine waters where the drainage will eventually discharge. Avoid construction when the ground is wet.