Rain gutters, French drains, drip edges. All are integral parts of a well-designed home drainage system. Less known but just as important is the drip path. But what is a drip path, and what does it do?
Here’s the lowdown on an effective yet underrated solution for protecting your home.
What is a Drip Path?
A drip path is a DIY-friendly solution to keep rainwater from seeping into your house or foundation and causing significant damage. It’s essentially a mat or path of stones installed around the base of a home to catch water pouring off the roof and allow it to filter harmlessly into the ground. It keeps water from collecting where it shouldn’t, like against your walls, where it might make its way into your foundation or basement.
The path is angled to direct water away from your house and into your yard. Done correctly, a drip path can provide an important layer of protection for your home and be an attractive feature that boosts your curb appeal.
Pros and Cons of a Drip Path
Whether you opt to DIY or get some professional help, setting up a drip path is relatively simple. But there are some pros and cons of making this upgrade:
Pros:
• Easy to build
• Hard surface prevents water from soaking into the soil
• Helps prevent erosion near your foundation
• More appeal than traditional rain gutters
Cons:
• Must be installed properly with the correct slope; otherwise, it won’t be effective
• Drainage underneath the edging must be done correctly in order for it to work properly
• Too much landscaping near the drip path can impede its effectiveness.
DIY Drip Path Installation
Are you a DIY aficionado ready to get your hands dirty? If it turns out you don’t need a professional, here’s how to install a drip path yourself:
1. Mark out the contour of your drip path with spray paint, a chalk line, or string.
2. Excavate the area you marked out, about 8 to 10 inches deep and at least 2 to 3 inches away from the foundation.
3. Measure out your edging. It’s best to score longer sections of edging and bend it at the intersection points rather than go with shortcuts of edging and corner pieces. When cutting or scoring your edging, always make sure you have the right safety gear on.
4. Edging should run the entire perimeter of your excavated drip path. At corners, bend the edging in line with your 90-degree lines, and then press it firmly into the soil.
5. Now, pour the gravel or stone into the excavated path. Standard practice is usually three-eighths inch gravel (but you can pick something else if it’s more your style).
6. Finally, cap off all ends of the edging and slowly bring the edging down to grade with your level.
7. Voila! You’ve just installed a personalized drip path with your own two hands and saved yourself some (significant) repairs in the long run.
5 Drip Path Alternatives
If installing a drip path just isn’t feasible for you, here are a few alternatives that work in different scenarios:
1. Rain Chains
Rain chains are a classic alternative to traditional gutters. They’re more aesthetically pleasing and don’t collect debris, so they don’t require a lot of maintenance. On top of that, water is slowly dispersed down from your roof, so there’s less risk of damaging landscaping below the roof line.
They have limitations, though. They may not work well in really rainy regions and sometimes require professional installation, but on the plus side, they come in a variety of colors and styles.
2. Drip Edge
Drip edges are often used in combination with regular gutters or gutter alternatives. They are installed under the shingles and hang over the edge of your roof to keep water from flowing down the fascia boards. They help prevent ice dams, but it’ll give shingles extra support and seal gaps to prevent unwanted pests from entering that way.
This method is perfect for saving time and energy, although puddles can form around your home’s foundation if it’s not installed properly.
3. Ground Gutters (French Drains)
Ground gutters are an excellent way to keep unsightly gutters from ruining your home’s facade. Installed underground along the edge of the house, this system generally consists of PVC or perforated plastic pipes to protect your foundation from damage due to rainwater.
The only downside is that it has to be installed by pros, and if there isn’t enough drainage, water can pool around your home.
4. Rain Dispersal System
This louver system is installed just under the edge of the roof and disperses the water into raindrops. Unlike gutters, which collect water and move it to a downspout, this system is great for DIYers because it prevents soil erosion beneath the roof line.
It’s not ideal for all roofs and can be difficult to install, but it’s great for efficiently moving water away from home walls and landscaping.
5. Box Gutters (Hidden or Built-in)
You know how traditional gutters are usually the eyesores on homes? Well, hidden gutters are here to save the day. Also called box gutters or built-in gutters, this system is usually constructed as part of your roof. They’re great for reducing maintenance and handle heavy rain well, plus they won’t interfere with the aesthetics of your house.
The downside is these often need to be installed during the construction process, and in extreme temperatures, metal can expand or contract, which may lead to water damage and leaks.
FAQ About Drip Paths
Not at all! As long as you ensure that any debris isn’t clogging up the path, they’ll keep doing their job for a really long time. Additionally, because of their off-the-ground nature, they don’t usually get clogged up unless you have quite a lot of foliage surrounding them.
No, they’re not the same, although they do have overlapping purposes. Drip edges are installed underneath roof shingles and are aimed at preventing your fascia boards or soffits from rotting out due to moisture.
On the other hand, drip paths take advantage of water runoff and move it away from your house and into the ground.
It’s not necessary, no. However, it might be a good idea if you’re looking for ways to conserve water or have enough space and the resources to do it. Rain chains are a great way to direct water into rain barrels or otherwise capture it for use later.
A Better Way to Manage Rainwater
Any home improvement guru can tell you how the damage caused by rainwater leaks and flooding after storms is often underestimated. But with a drip path, you can manage your home’s drainage in a much more efficient and sustainable way.
Homeowners don’t have to sacrifice convenience or aesthetics either – these solutions not only look great but also offer years of worry-free protection from the elements.
Don’t know where to start? We can help you connect with the right professional to get you the perfect solution. Whether it’s a classic rain chain or a fully customized hidden gutter, let us be the guide in navigating this muddy terrain!
Main Photo Credit: Corinna71 / Canva Pro / License
