Hey all. Constructing a new rain garden.
I'm trying to figure out how to transect this sidewalk with downspout run off.
I wanted to run a drain pipe under this concrete path, but its 8-10" thick. The pipe would emerge too low to be useful in relation to slope of the property.
I'm wondering if I can use a concrete saw and chisel to score a channel for channel drain, or should it be a buried drain pipe and then concrete over it.
I don't want to compromise the integrity of the sidewalk but it's 8"+ thick so i don't think id be too too worried about that.
Anyway would love your help. Thanks.
by treesagainst
25 Comments
How confident are you the sidewalk is that thick? That’s like heavy forklift traffic warehouse thick.
Assuming it is or isn’t, you could most likely saw cut a channel through, lay the pipework in and re-pour.
It’s way more likely to be 4” if it’s a sidewalk. Which is still a ton of work to remove
There are videos online to guide you. Some use a power washer to bore the hole inside of the pipe. Other use a trench shovel. You can use a drill and auger attachment. I’ve done it with the auger attachment and another time with a shovel. Give the auger a go – just be careful. Make sure to soak the area the day before so it’s easier to dig and the auger won’t bite so hard – yeah, it’s messy but so is life. They make extenders for drill bits so you won’t have to go at it from both sides.
Dig the outside of that sidewalk down to below the concrete… get a pressure washer… blast out a hole.
I just did this! As others have said, it is likely not as thick as you believe, but it’s still easy if it is 10″. You are going to want a 3″ solid pipe, assuming you have 3″ gutters. If you have larger gutters, you’ll need to match the amount of water those gutters can handle.
Did a channel inside your garden bed down to the bottom of the concrete, plus the extra depth to match your pipe. Do the same on the other side of the sidewalk, as well. Place the pipe in the channel on the far side, and up against the dirt wall that is under the sidewalk. Stick a pressure washer into the pipe and flush the dirt out while hammering (with mallet) the pipe through to the other side. Then connect the pipe to the rest of the drain system. Make sure to fill dirt back under the sidewalk if you remove too much, so that it doesn’t have an empty cavity anywhere.
I would use an auger (or long auger drill bit, like in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du4T709sQQs), and have a drain pipe going long enough to use a pop-out emitter.
Sawcut and install channel drain
Average residential sidewalk is close to 4″ thick. Doubt your builder wanted to just spend money and make it 10″ thick.
Dig a nice hole on one side of the sidewalk – couple inches deeper than the bottom of concrete.
Place a mole in the hole facing the direction you want it to dig.
Poke the mole with your finger to get him digging.
There is also this option: [RENT A MOLE](https://rentamole.com/)
Another alternative to consider is rain barrel(s). You can find some decorative ones or planter looking ones and connect your downspout there. Albeit it might block your window view and you may not like the aesthetics.
How much rain do you normally get in your area? And is it consistently raining that water needs to be drained somewhere else? How much water do you collect from that one downspout? If it’s significant (more than 60 or 90 gallons) in a short period time then consider what others have said.
They make shovels solely for this purpose! If you use a trench shovel and a pressure washer, blasts a tunnel underneath as well
Did they drive the Space Shuttle transporter down your sidewalk?
You can definitely dig under from either side. Use an electricians trench shovel which is narrow.
Sidewalk is normally 3.5 – 4..5 inches thick. Are you sure it’s 8″ thick.
You should be able to dig below it like others said. A residential sidewalk isn’t that thick.
Instead of chiseling, rent a concrete saw for a clean cut. Then you can put back a band of pavers instead of concrete……if you want.
Dig below.
Easy, should take an hour
Bruh no way is your sidewalk 10 inches thick lol, why would you think that? Even in commercial construction, not much goes above 6”
thats semi loading dock thickness, i 100% guarantee its 4″. Cut it chip it out and do your thing
>8-10″ thick
You sure about that boss? Dig a hole next to it.
You don’t need to cut the sidewalk. Get a few threaded pieces of pipe and an adapter to attach them to a hose. Turn on the hose and use the pipe from one side to the other, allowing the water to drill you a hole under the sidewalk. This leaves your sidewalk intact and gives you room to do everything you need
What about making an above-head crossing… Like a simple arbor over the walkway? Run your drain along the top and down….
I did the same and haven’t regretted it, 8 years later.
Pressure washer and piece of pvc. Blast under until it can be freely piped underneath the slab
Break a section of the concrete, put in a drain with grate, then repour around it
What’s wrong with the current set up? Looks like you’ve got a healthy grade away from the house sending the water onto the driveway.
What is the 8-10” thickness guess based on? This would be extremely atypical for a hardscape pathway.