Building a Shed - Downspout Access

[blueKYstream]

I want to build a shed in the corner of my foundation under the deck (space is 10' wide x 8' deep x 10' high). There's a downspout that goes into a blue/green pipe in the corner though. I think it runs deep underground and then down a steep hill 75 yards to a creek. Do I need to leave access to the downspout and pipe and, if so, how much space?

If I leave more than 16" on the side, I'll have to make the shed door(s) smaller since they'll swing into the deck pillars. If I leave more than 16" in the back, I'll have to reduce the width (I want to keep it 9' wide and 6' deep so I can use full 3' metal siding sheets).

 

[Catscratch]

Can you just build around the downspout? Have it inside the shed.

 

[blueKYstream]

No, it's in the corner where a support post would be needed. My concern is if maybe the pipe or downspout needed to be replaced, there wouldn't be enough room to do it.

I'm not sure if space would be needed though. A downspout might be able to be replaced from the deck above. There isn't any gutter ties to the brick in this spot so that's not a concern. Maybe the only issue might be access to replace the drainage pipe. Do those ever need to be replaced?

 

[Howboutthemdawgs]

May be a pain but could you cut right below the deck boards above and run it out the front the deck in the between the joists, then down, and maybe even tie back into the buried drain pipe? By cutting it high you could possible get enough fall by the time it exits the deck. And then just cut it flush with ground and cap that part.

 

[blueKYstream]

That's a good point with a future outlook instead. If I ever needed access to that, the pipe could be cut at the corner, run a diagonal downspout up to just under the deck and up from there. For that reason, I wouldn't need access. I could just leave maybe 6 or 8 inches. There'd be room above a shed to attached the gutter to the brick. Thanks!

 

[Telemark]

It's not a common problem to have a clogged drain, but it does happen. The biggest problem is tree roots. I can't imagine a tree would be sending a lot of roots under a deck. Even if there are tree roots near it, there would have to be a leak in the pipe in order for the tree roots to access and invade the pipe. I'm not sure how far the Rotorooter guys can send their cutters, but they go in at the other end anyway. If worse comes to worst and you get a clog behind the new shed, you could install a new downspout and tie it into the drain pipe a few yards out from the deck, or even just let it drain on the ground. I wouldn't set about changing things if there isn't an existing problem.

I would, however, make absolutely sure you have gutter guards, to prevent debris and animals from getting into the downspout. And I would probably run a garden hose on full down the downspout and check at the end of the drain pipe that everything is working as it should before I started building.

 

[birdog]

I would extend the green drain pipe up to where it's inside the deck joists. Hopefully you can then access the downspout drain from above the deck. Make sure you use the round pipe to square downspout connector to seal it back up.

 

[blueKYstream]

I think I'm in sync with what Telemark said. Everything is good now. I just wanted to make sure that if something were to happen with the drain clogging or needing to be replaced, I wouldn't have to tear the shed I'm going to build down. I think there would be some options though should something happen, even with the limited space. Thanks so much!