Frequently Asked Questions
About Steel & HDPE Culvert Pipes
These are the questions we get asked most, over the counter and on the phone, by landowners, ranchers, farmers, and contractors across Oklahoma and into Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri. Have a question not answered below? Call us at 405-381-4044.
Culvert, tinhorn, or whistle. What is the difference?
Nothing. They are all the same thing. Around Oklahoma you will hear people call it a culvert, a tinhorn, or a whistle depending on where they grew up. If you call and ask for any of the three, we know what you mean.
Same goes for large culverts and large tinhorns. That just means bigger pipe, and we build it. See our large diameter culvert pipe page for anything 36 inches and up.
What sizes and lengths do you carry?
We manufacture corrugated steel culvert pipe from 12 inches to 120 inches in diameter and keep 16, 20, 25, 30, and 40 foot lengths in stock.
We also keep a large inventory of ADS corrugated HDPE culvert pipe from 6 inches to 60 inches in 20 foot lengths.
If you need something outside of that, we fabricate custom on site. If you can draw it, we can build it. For large diameter culvert pipe in the bigger sizes, we are one of the few shops in Oklahoma that can go all the way to 120 inches.
Can you cut culvert pipe to length?
Yes. We cut whatever length you need, and depending on the diameter we can make up lengths as long as 60 feet.
What size culvert do I need for my driveway?
It depends on how much water the ditch actually carries, not just how wide the ditch looks, and on what your county requires. Give us a call and describe your crossing and we will help you work it out.
Worth checking with your county before you buy, since some set a minimum size for driveway culverts. Once you know what they want, we can get you the right pipe.
One thing we will tell you either way: undersized pipe is the most common reason driveways wash out in Oklahoma. If you are between two sizes, go up.
Steel or plastic culvert pipe, which should I get?
Both work well. They are just built for different jobs.
Corrugated steel culvert pipe is the heavy duty option. It handles high loads, so it is the better choice for road crossings, commercial sites, and anywhere loaded trucks or heavy equipment will be driving over it.
HDPE culvert pipe, the plastic, is lighter, easier to handle and install, and will not rust. It works well for residential driveways, farm and pasture drainage, and stormwater.
If you are not sure, tell us what is going to drive over it and we will point you the right direction.
Do you carry end sections, bands, and accessories?
Yes. We stock flared end sections, bands, and couplers, and we fabricate custom elbows, saddles, reducers, and special sizes right here on site.
How deep does a culvert need to be buried?
It needs enough cover on top to handle whatever drives across it. Twelve inches of cover is a common minimum for a residential driveway, and you want more anywhere heavy trucks or equipment cross. Larger pipe needs more cover.
What goes underneath matters just as much. The pipe needs to sit on a stable base, usually gravel, and the backfill needs to be compacted evenly on both sides so it does not shift or settle.
Our installation guidelines walk through sizing, slope, bedding, backfill, and cover in more detail.
How much does a culvert cost?
Call us for a price. It depends on the diameter, the length, and whether you want steel or HDPE, and material prices move around. Tell us what you need and we will quote it.
Do you deliver culvert pipe, and how long does it take?
Yes. Same day or next day, and we deliver anywhere. We are in Tuttle, about 30 minutes southwest of Oklahoma City, so the OKC metro, Chickasha, Norman, El Reno, and the surrounding counties are all easy runs for us. Call for a delivery quote.
Do you install, or just supply the pipe?
We are a supplier. We sell and fabricate the pipe and get it to you, and you or your contractor handle the install.
Can I pick it up myself?
You are welcome to pick up at the yard in Tuttle. For hauling in a pickup, keep it to 8 feet long. Anything longer or larger needs a trailer or a flatbed.
We will load it for you. Bring your own straps.
Is there a minimum order?
No. We sell wholesale and to the public, so whether you need one piece of driveway pipe or a truckload for a job, we can take care of you.
Do I need a permit?
Give us a call and we will help you figure out what you need. We do this every day and can walk you through sizing and what will work for your crossing.
If the pipe is going in entirely on your own property, that is usually between you and your land. If your driveway ties into a county road, city street, or state highway, it is worth checking with your county commissioner's office or city hall first, since some municipalities have their own requirements on size and pulling permits. If you are in a neighborhood or an addition, your HOA may have something to say too.
One thing worth thinking about either way is where the water goes once it leaves your pipe. Moving it off your place faster can put it on your neighbor, and that is a better conversation to have before the dirt work than after.
Who is responsible for keeping a culvert clear?
Generally the property owner, even when the pipe sits in the road right of way. A culvert packed with silt, limbs, and trash cannot move water, and that is how driveways wash out.
Worth walking out and looking at yours before a big rain. If it is more than about a quarter full of dirt, crushed on the ends, or rusted through on the bottom, it is not going to do its job. Give us a call and we will get you a replacement.
Still have a question? Call us at 405-381-4044 or stop by the yard in Tuttle. We supply culvert pipe across Oklahoma and we would rather answer a question up front than have you buy the wrong pipe.