Top 4 Tips For Preparing For A Large Drainage Project

It’s nice to think of your house as a castle, but this doesn’t mean you want to live your life with a moat surrounding the walls of your home. If your house has a poor drainage system, this could happen to you! The landscape surrounding the area can be catch basins of water that may cause puddles and soggy groundwork, especially during heavy rainfall.

Standing water from heavy rains can collect in areas not properly drained and can drown out your grass and flowers. These low spots in your front or back yard produce pits of standing water which can attract pests and cause other debilitating problems for you and your home.

If you notice that the ground is exceptionally soggy and wet, it may be time to check out your drainage outlets and see if they are working properly. Pay attention to any water staining your house, particularly the floors and walls. See if your house exterior is perpetually wet.

Once the signs are clear, telling you that you need to begin that drainage project, you should seek the help of an expert to guide and direct you for all your project needs. You can either hire someone or do the job yourself but guidance from professionals is suggested. Following the preparations and instructions for installation, you can probably lay down that new drain and dry up any wet area that’s causing trouble to your home. However, it pays to hire a professional who has the right skills and experience in doing the job.

        Drainage Problems

 

One of the biggest drainage problems you can fix yourself can be found in the runoff of your downspouts. This happens when all the water that has accumulated in your roof comes pouring down into one focused area right outside your house. All this water can seep into the foundation of your house and cause its structural integrity to weaken. It can also bring about mold and mildew buildup in your basement walls, as well as flooding and excessive settling of water in your house.

In order to save yourself thousands of dollars from fixing a damaged foundation, take the precautionary steps below to eliminate the problem in the runoff.

1.      Redirect

Sometimes the easiest way to prepare for a project is to stand back and evaluate the situation first. With the stockpile of water surrounding your house, it is best to redirect the water to another location. The general rule is that the building drain should be at least ten feet away from your home at all times. Many people think that just one or two feet away is adequate and is definitely easier, but this may not always solve the problem.

If there is a giant rainstorm, or if the snow melts rapidly, the accumulation of water will exceed the extra one or two feet of drainage and still cause low, wet spots outside your house. To properly guide that water away, the installation of the drainage should be angled down and away from your foundation and should be at least 10 feet in length.

2.      Dig Deep

When digging a drainage ditch or trench to lay drains below ground level,  it is vital to make it deep enough (12 to 18 inches deep) so the water can be drained off and the piping doesn’t show above ground. The piping should be sturdy enough to last for a long time, so you do not need to keep replacing it every season. By using protective materials such as a strong geotextile fabric membrane, your drains can endure even the harshest of environmental elements to keep your yard free of wet areas and water retention.

3.      Utilize a Gravity-Driven System

When a large drainage problem needs a solution, it may be best to use a gravity-driven system. This system will enhance your own water pump mechanism when it finally gives way and fails. As the drainage is angled to move lower and lower to its point of accumulation and destination, the water will be removed and flushed out of your house easily and efficiently. The point of digging a drain through a gravity-driven approach is to keep you from having to fix your pump in a critical situation.

4.      Rent a Tool

With a large drainage project, it is best to use the proper equipment for easier digging and faster excavation. The proper tools and materials can help make your task easier to handle, becoming more cost-effective. By looking up sites online, you will find stores that offer those tools for rent or sale, saving you plenty of time and energy to finish the job.

When dealing with drainage problems and other sewage concerns, it may be necessary to hire a professional. Depending on how big the job is and what it entails, an expert contractor or master plumber may need to assess the situation and provide a recommendation. Check for companies that offer free estimates or consultations to clients. Those that can understand and adhere to your drainage requirements. You don’t want to damage anything more in your house when you are already dealing with a drainage issue.

Conclusion

Your house is your home. Let it be your castle too. Just leave the moat behind or at least 10 feet away from your house. Prepare for any drainage problems through research and a lot of digging. Use the proper tools to help you finish your project with ease and efficiency, and let gravity do its part to help you eliminate all those wet spots from your yard.