Dry Well Installation

What This Service Involves

A dry well gives collected water somewhere to go when a surface outlet or storm connection is not available, which is common on PNW lots with heavy rooflines. We excavate a large pit, line it with fabric, and fill it with a perforated chamber or clean drain rock that holds a big volume of water underground. Runoff from downspouts or catch basins is piped into the well, then released gradually into the surrounding soil. Proper sizing for our rainfall and clay soils is critical so the well drains between storms rather than overflowing.

Benefits

Stores large runoff volumes underground; Recharges groundwater instead of overloading storm systems; Frees up yard space with a hidden below-grade solution; Relieves saturated downspout and catch-basin lines; Sized for PNW rainfall and slow-draining clay soils

Our Process

1) Perform a percolation test to confirm soil infiltration rate; 2) Size and excavate the dry well pit; 3) Wrap the pit in filter fabric to prevent silting; 4) Install the chamber or drain rock and connect inlet piping; 5) Cap, backfill, and restore the surface above the well

What Affects the Cost

Percolation rate and soil type on site; Required storage volume for the drainage area; Excavation depth and spoil disposal; Chamber system versus drain-rock fill; Length of inlet piping from the collection point

Best Time of Year

Best installed during drier summer months when percolation testing is accurate and excavated pits stay stable and dry.