concrete culvert
As you embark on your journey to build your own home, it is important to understand exactly what you will be getting yourself into, which is exactly what this website aims to help with. In this section we will be talking about communities and subdivisions that have culvert drainage, and how this can affect your construction project.
Communities having culvert drainage can be found in urban, as well as rural areas. These locations may be unincorporated and have little written engineering guidance, or they may be situated within a city-jurisdiction having specific requirements demanding strict compliance. For this exact reason, it is essential that all construction related individuals be well versed in what is to be expected in terms of compliance, especially your concrete contractors and foremen.
Home construction in communities employing roadside culvert drainage adds unexpected issues and scheduling adjustments. Access to the lot as early in the job start process as possible, is of paramount concern. Consultation with the governmental agency having jurisdiction and/or developer having control over residential construction is a must. Determination of existing drainage plans, in-turn construction, materials, and culvert depths ensures compliance with mandatory requirements expected in the community.
If culvert depths are not specified on a written plan, determine the existing culvert depth at each side of the lot where it enters and exits the property (Some municipalities may require elevation benchmarks to be set and used). Using this information, calculate the rate of fall based upon lot width and identify the location for the driveway in-turn.
If unspecified, use a culvert pipe diameter measuring a minimum of 18 inches. Use piping of sufficient length to construct an inturn of necessary width above it, as well as inhibit soil erosion at the pipe ends (community restrictions often drive the width of driveways – at least 12 feet minimum). If the pipe extends less than one foot on either side of the in-turn, construct a concrete headwall extending from the in-turn and surrounding the culvert pipe.
On adjoining lots, and if your budget permits, consider setting a second temporary culvert pipe. This allows for lot access after flatwork has been placed. Upon job completion the second culvert pipe can be removed and used again.
