How To Hide Storm Drain In Yard

Ping Stones In A Bed Of Pebbles

Use this idea when you need to create a walkway where water collects during or after rainstorms. The rain on the steps is minimized by the surrounding gravel, which acts as fast-acting drainage.

Create a path at least two inches deep and cover it with a weed barrier. Drop in smooth medium-sized rocks. Add pavers on the top. The pavers should be made with an anti-slip surface and be weather resistant.

Diy Solutions To Maintain A Yard Drain And Stop Clogs

A Simple System That Requires Simple Maintenance

Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. Aaron’s articles about plumbing on The Spruce span four years.

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

• Working Time: 1 – 2 hrs
• Total Time: 1 – 2 hrs

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Estimated Cost: $20 to $30

A yard drain, also called an area drain or landscape drain, is a common hardscape feature in yards with significant contours, extensive landscaping, or a swimming pool. It can also be used to channel water from a roof gutter and downspout system out into a yard and away from the foundation. This type of drain works much the same way as a floor drain in a garage or basement floor, collecting standing water and channeling it to the street, a storm drain, or other drainage area. You can identify a yard drain by its telltale grate installed at ground level, usually in a low-lying area of the yard. Like any home drain, a yard drain can back up and cause flooding. Proper maintenance of the yard drain will prevent pooling of water in your yard.

Ugh I Hate It Creative Solution Anyone

So our city wanted all new constructions to put in a storm drain in the backyard and it is supposed to be smack dab in the center of the yard, no ifs and buts. I understand that it serves a purpose but it is hideously ugly and I see it from all angles whether I am sitting or standing 🙁

I had an idea to disguise it- make a circular bed around, plant with a nice rosebush or two or three and that way as the roses grow it will get hidden. But here’s my confusion-on the storm drain it clearly says ‘dump no waste’. But as the roses grow, their leaves/flowers would probably fall down the drain, right? So then does that mean I shouldn’t do a circular bed there? I do not spray btw so I am not afraid of chemical drift.

I tried calling City Hall and kept getting put on hold constantly 🙁 So I was wondering if anyone has an idea. Thanks in advance!

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How To Hide Storm Drain In Yard

Hiding an unsightly storm drain in the yard is an attempt to keep the yard clean and well maintained.

Building a removable, lightweight deck means you should let the storm rain drain the untainted rainwater.

Keep the lids of the garbage cans tightly sealed on windy days. An easy way of securing the lids is through Bungee cords and available in all the local hardware stores.

Underground drainage systems stay under most properties, taking away the excess yard and home water.

Cover It With A Small And Mobile Pond

The next idea is to cover the drain with a small pond. The water in this pond will be able to evaporate slowly while you are at home but fast enough that there is always some hiding under it if someone comes into your garden unexpectedly. You can use both natural stones or even colorful plastic ones, depending on what suits your taste best. Moreover, it might be a very good idea to place some herbs or flowers around the pond. But even if you dont want to do that, a small pond will definitely help disguise your ugly drain cover.

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How To Disguise Drain Covers In A Garden Or Backyard

Its all well and good having a beautiful looking lawn or new patio, but if theres an ugly drain cover in the middle of it, the look is nowhere near as good. With that in mind, heres a selection of tips on how you can successfully cover a drain your garden with something a bit more pleasing to the eye.

But before we start, let me just answer the age-old question that always comes up with these types of projects can you cover a drain in your garden?

The answer is yes, you can cover a drain in your garden, but with a caveat. Any method you use to disguise the drain should not be permanent. As you can imagine, water companies might need to access the drain at any time, so make sure when covering it, you can easily uncover the drain.

With that out the way, here are the best ways to disguise a drain cover with a non-permanent approach that will look great and will not cost the earth.

The solutions here range from the quick, easy, and cheap, up to the more expensive options.

What Can I Plant Around A Storm Drain

Plants that can tolerate wet conditions include native sedges and lady fern. Plants like redtwig dogwood are suited to occasional standing water. Native evergreen and Douglas-fir are plants that prefer dry soil at the furthermost edges. If you dont have a lot of space, you may want to consider planting a few shrubs and perennials. You can also plant a couple of small trees in the front yard to provide shade for your plants.

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How Do You Loosen A Stuck Drain Cover

If your drain cover is stuck, you can try a few things to loosen it. Try using a plunger. If that doesnt work, you can try using a wire brush or pliers to loosen the cover. Or use a hammer to tap around the edges of the cover until it loosens. If worst comes to worst, you can always hire a professional plumber. So there you have it! Some simple ideas for disguising drain covers.

Build A Dry Creek Bed

Eu Toch / Getty Images

A dry creek bed gives you the best of both worlds: function and appearance. Constructed from rocks ranging in size from river rocks to small boulders, a dry creek bed functions as a planned channel for stormwater. Rather than letting nature pick the course, you can do this in advance: into a swale, a catch basin, or to the edge of the property. When it’s not busy moving water, a dry creek bed is a beautiful form of xeriscaping for your yard.

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Build Stairs To Ditch The Water Down The Hill

Using gravel for a ditch on a steep hill is impractical as the gravel will gradually be pushed down to the bottom.

A better solution is using natural pavers and flagstone as steps.

Here, the stones are also used as part of a retaining wall. Water-loving plants decorate the base covered with pea gravel.

A dry well can be included at the base for more control over water drainage. Think of a dry well as a leaky bucket. It holds the water and slowly releases it into the soil.

Why Should You Hide Drain Pipes In Yard

While leaving your homes drain pipes exposed in the yard may be tempting, there are several good reasons to hide them beneath the soil. First and foremost, buried pipes are less likely to freeze during cold weather, which can cause extensive damage.

In addition, buried pipes are less likely to become clogged with debris or roots, and they are also less susceptible to physical damage from lawnmowers or other outdoor equipment. Finally, hiding drain pipes can help improve the overall appearance of your yard by creating a more uniform look.

Whatever your reason for hiding drain pipes, doing so can help protect your home and your plumbing system.

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What Are Drain Covers

The name says it all these are lids, mostly made using cast iron, that cover manholes in your garden.

They prevent the unpleasant odor produced by wastewater from dampening the moods in your backyard.

More Importantly They cover the holes through which sewage passes, water that would have otherwise been runoff and caused an inconceivable mess in your garden.

Despite their usefulness, drain covers stick out like sore thumbs.

Imagine having a green, mowed lawn with a rusty spot at its center it defeats the purpose of maintenance.

For this reason, you must devise intelligent ways of disguising your drain covers.

Homeowner Stewardshipyour Role: Promoting Positive Drainage

Ensuring the rain flows where its supposed to into swales and stormwater inlets reduces the chances that water will end up where its not supposed to, such as your home or garage! You can help promote positive drainage on and around your property in a variety of ways:

Eliminate debris and blockages on your property . This includes keeping swales, storm inlets and streets free of leaves and other debris.

Avoid adding new fences or walls that create barriers to positive drainage. If you must add a fence or wall, work with a professional to incorporate an appropriate drainage solution.

Minimize impervious surfaces that may send water in the wrong direction, or too rapidly into the drainage system.

Instead of concrete, use wooden decks, gravel, brick or stone paths, paving stones, or concrete blocks set in sand so water can permeate more easily. Employ landscaping to help with water drainage and absorption, or to slow its flow.

Ensure proper grading is preserved meaning a gentle slope away from your home.Similarly, make sure gutters and pipes are directed away from your house but first into vegetated or graveled areas for filtration before leaving your property.Consider a rain barrel or other method to catch roof runoff for later irrigation use. If you do not mulch, ask your landscaping service to haul away lawn clippings, pruning debris and other materials. Mulching your lawn clippings and other natural debris is the recommended options, wherever possible.

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Rain Barrel Or Cistern

A rain barrel is a large container that attaches to the end of a downspout and stores water for later use, such as watering your garden or lawn. Rain barrels come in many shapes and sizes. A typical rain barrel holds about 50 gallons of water. Larger cisterns can hold hundreds or even thousands of gallons. Rain barrels are simple to install and inexpensive. Unless you have a cistern, this option generally does not provide enough storage capacity to greatly reduce the amount of runoff flowing to the lawn during large storms. Rather, rain barrels are most useful as an addition to other stormwater controls.

• An overflow device allows excess water to escape when the barrel or cistern is full. Use corrugated plastic tubing to direct overflow away from the foundation of your home.
• A downspout can be connected to one or more rain barrel. Connecting rain barrels increases the amount of runoff that can be captured.
• For more information, see: Rain Barrel Workshops

Fill Your Ditch With Rocks

One of the easiest ways to make your drainage ditch look good is to just fill it with rocks or pebbles. You can find a variety of different rocks at most garden and landscaping centers to suit the style of your garden.

These river rocks are very attractive and simulate a dry creek bed. Compliment the look by adding a selection of plants on the banks.

Alternatively, why not consider filling your ditch with some crushed quartz. There are many colors available, so you can choose one that best suits the rest of your landscape.

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Disguise Using A Grass Lid If The Drain Cover Is On The Lawn

The best option to cover a drain cover when on a garden lawn would be a fake grass lid. The idea of pot plants and birdbaths might be good ones but if like us you have a young boy who likes kicking a ball, they dont work too well.

You can make one yourself by purchasing fake grass online. There are different brands and dimensions .

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Incorporate The Patio Stone Onto The Drain Cover

We recently had a new patio laid and were given the option by the builder to have the drain cover swapped out for a new one which let him place stone over it so it seamlessly matched the rest.

If you are not sure what I mean, heres a photo of that drain cover as it now appears on our patio see how well disguised it is!

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Can You Extend Over A Drain Cover

Yes, you can extend over a drain cover. You will need to purchase an extension ring, which is available at most hardware stores. Once you have the extension ring, simply place it over the drain cover and screw it into place.

If you have a particularly large drain cover, you may need to purchase multiple extension rings in order to extend over it completely. In this case, simply stack the extension rings on top of each other and screw them into place.

Once youve covered the drain cover, you can continue with connecting irrigation system parts.

How Landscape Drainage Works

Since these yard drainage ideas allow storm water to sink into the soil gradually, they help reduce flooding. Plus, they allow pollution, including oily residue from cars, to filter out naturally, so it doesn’t wind up in lakes or streams. You can cure your wet-basement problem and do something for the environment at the same time, says This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook.

Here are 3 drainage systems you can create in your landscape and yard:

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Install A French Drain

Ivan-Balvan / Getty Images

Surface water that moves across a lawn can be difficult to control, especially if it’s originating from off of your property. Fortunately, there is a low-cost way of managing surface water: a French drain. A French drain is a trench filled with permeable materials such as gravel atop a perforated PVC pipe. Water flows through the gravel and into the PVC pipe. The PVC pipe swiftly whisks the water away.

Hide The Drain Cover Under A Birdbath

If mobile ponds arent your thing, you might opt for birdbaths. Although their span doesnt cover the entire lid, theyre just as lovely.

You can use the remaining space to grow plants or add mosaics, which create a stunning view combined with the birdbath.

When choosing a birdbath, ensure that its sturdy enough to withstand harsh weather and sustain the weight of perching birds.

However, it also shouldnt be too heavy that it can crumble the drain cover.

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Use Landscaping Rocks To Create A Fountain

Every homeowner has to deal with storm water from a downspout. If the downspout is elevated, add flagstone underneath and create a water feature.

This fountain was built with layers of flagstone, dirt to level the layers, and large rocks to secure the stones in place. The water ends in the crushed gravel.

Can I Build Over A Drain Cover

You can build over a private drain. As part of your extension, building control will inspect the pipework and approve the works. A public drain is not the same as a kettle of fish. Youll need to get permission from the local council.

If you want to build a drain on your own, youll have to apply to the council for permission to do so. This can be done by filling out an application form and submitting it to your local authority.

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Choose The Right Materials

There are a variety of materials you can use to hide your drain pipes. Some of the most popular options include:

Paint:

This is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to cover up your pipes. Simply choose a color that will match your home or landscape and paint away. Be sure to use waterproof paint to ensure longevity.

Trellis:

Trellises are great for both hiding and supporting your drain pipes. Simply build or purchase a trellis and place it over the pipe. You can then add vines or other plants to camouflage the pipe further.

Fencing:

Fencing is another great option for hiding drain pipes. Place the fence around the perimeter of your yard, making sure to leave an opening for the pipe. You can then add plants or other decorations to personalize your fence further.

How Can You Make Sure That Your Drain Pipes Are Hidden Properly

One major plumbing issue that can affect your homes appearance and function is visible pipes. This can be an unsightly problem and a functional one if the pipes are in areas where they are constantly being bumped or jostled. However, there are a few ways to ensure your drain pipes are hidden properly to avoid these issues.

One way is to use pipe covers or wrapping material specifically designed to be used on exposed pipes. This material will provide a barrier between the pipes and potential damage, but it will also give the area a more finished look.

Another option is to build a false wall around the exposed pipes. This can be done with drywall or other materials, and it will completely enclose the pipes so that they are not visible. Building a false wall may require some basic construction skills, but it will give you a much cleaner look than simply covering the pipes with wraps or covers.

Whatever method you choose, hiding your exposed drain pipes is essential for aesthetics and function. Keep reading for more information about how to hide drain pipes in yard.

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