Pipe Outs

Effective water management is a critical, though often unseen, component of a healthy and sustainable landscape. Providing drainage solutions in Charlotte and the surrounding areas of the Carolinas is a foundational step that protects a home’s foundation, prevents soil erosion, and ensures lawns and patios remain usable. The backbone of most of these systems typically consists of Pipe Outs. These are essential conduits that collect and redirect excess water, forming the arteries of a well-designed drainage network.

Pipe outs are generally constructed from durable, 4-inch black corrugated pipe that is buried underground. Its flexibility allows it to be routed around existing tree roots and other obstacles, while its strength ensures it can withstand the pressures of the soil above. The primary function of these pipes is to move water from areas where it is a problem to a location where it can be managed safely. To be effective, the pipe outs must be connected to strategic collection points throughout the property. One of the most important connections is to the home’s downspouts, capturing the immense volume of roof runoff at its source and channeling it away from the vulnerable foundation walls.

In addition to downspouts, pipe outs are also connected to catch basins. These grates are installed flush with the ground in low-lying areas of the lawn, patios, or driveways where surface water tends to collect. They act like drains, capturing pooling water and feeding it into the underground pipe system.

A professionally designed system also requires a suitable discharge point. In many cases, the pipe outs can empty into thoughtfully constructed dry creek beds. These beautiful features, filled with river rock and boulders, are sometimes part of the overall drainage solution. They serve to dissipate the energy of the water exiting the pipe, preventing erosion at the outlet and allowing the water to spread out and percolate naturally into the ground. This method elegantly combines function with aesthetics, turning a practical necessity into a beautiful landscape element and contributing to the mission of Making Homes More Beautiful®.