Adaptor to hooks metal downspout to underground line.

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I've had a commercial type metal building built that has 4 downspouts. I need to get the water away from the buiding and into a pond via 4 underground pvc. The hardware stores (Ace, Home Depot) sell an adaptor the connect the rectangular end of the downspout to the circular opening of 4" sewer and drain pipe. Its listed as a nominal 3" by 4"dimensions. This size won't fit the commercial size downspouts which are slightly larger in the smaller dimension.

Anybody know where I can get adaptors made for this slightly larger size commercial downspout (the Ace hardware bldg itself had these larger downspouts which their own stock adaptors did not fit.

Else I'll have to build a catch basis or heat and stretch the smaller adaptors.

-- charles (cr@dixienet.com), December 02, 2001

Answers

Can't you crimp the ends in with a long pair of needle nose pliers, or the crimping tool they sell to do this?

-- Rick (Rick_122@hotmail.com), December 02, 2001.

Get hold of a HVAC contractor and have him make you an adapter out of sheet metal. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 02, 2001.

Its a big roof and I don't want to make a constriction in the downspout to reduce water flow. It would reduce by about twenty percent if I were to taper the end to fit the smaller adaptor. A that lower juncture, any back pressure would just make water back up out at the joint.

I thought of a sheet metal adaptor made from scratch but it wouldnt last too long with the ground contact.

-- charles (cr@dixienet.com), December 03, 2001.


My downspouts have a slinky hose shoved on them, kinda like the RV sewer line only bigger around, that carries the water away from the house. While it is not an industrial sized building, it is industrial strength rain.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@somewhere.net), December 03, 2001.

Extend the pvc to under the vertical drop of the pipe, put in an ell up to the drop, like a foot in a sock.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 03, 2001.


OK, what is the interior area of your downspout opening in square inches? What is the total interior area of your pipe opening in square inches? If the latter is less than the former you're going to need larger pvc (regardless of how you connect them) to avoid 'back pressure', as you describe it. Remember it's going to take a torrential downpour to create that situation in most instances unless the difference is dramatic.

As to connecting the two, if you don't like the idea of a sheet metal adapter because of "ground contact," you might want to consider corrugated drain tile. It's designed to be underground and is flexible so you should find it easy to use. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 03, 2001.


I have the same problem you describe . The commercial downspout is 4" x 6". Did you ever find an adaptor?

-- (dennis@seacoastwindow.com), August 25, 2002.

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