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How to fix side of house drainage?

plentyofq
Finding My Feet

How to fix side of house drainage?

Hi all, 

 

Long time lurker, first time poster! 

 

I have a drainage issue on the side of my house which is causing issues when it rains heavily as the water just pools and has no where to go. Unfortunately the only stormwater points are under a driveway and are unlikely to work due to the levels of the property in this part of the house. 

 

Option 1: using geofabric, scoria and the megaflo to create a French drain to drain out into the backyard into a soak well  https://www.bunnings.com.au/reln-soakwell-rapid-flow_p4770021

 

After which I would put soil and grass on top.

 

Option 2: Same as above but instead of draining out to the backyard, connecting the megaflo to the bottom of a silt pit lifted up to the concrete level in the lowest corner then allowing the megaflo pipe to fill up and peculate out (hopefully evenly underground). Unsure if this will work but it will allow me an access point to pump water out in the event of very heavy rains.

 

Option 3: take much more soil out, sloping the ground away from the house backfilling with scoria, geofabric on top of the rocks then soil/grass on top. However don't think this would be ideal in case of very, very heavy rains.

 

Any thoughts / ideas? 

 

Many thanks! 😀

 

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EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: How to fix side of house drainage?

Hi @plentyofq 

 

It's important to remember that transferring excess water is best done during dry periods, as heavy downpours can quickly overwhelm the system. Without a proper solution, you'll likely face the same issue again. I strongly recommend considering a long-term drainage solution to prevent large puddles from forming in your backyard, which could potentially impact your home's foundation.

 

While the upfront cost may be significant, the long-term benefits are invaluable. Proper drainage will safeguard your home's foundation and effectively redirect excess water away from your property. I suggest considering a solution that involves digging and levelling the area, then concreting the open space with a dedicated drainage channel to ensure water is efficiently redirected.

 

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

 

Eric

 

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Re: How to fix side of house drainage?

Hi @plentyofq 

 

Driveways are typically only about 100mm thick and will have red mesh in it. You can easily cut this by hiring a demolition saw. I've had to do this myself some years back when I needed power to be run to a new carport.

 

Otherwise the design you're conversing with @EricL will also work using a submersible pump with an auto-float level switch. I've also done this before to contain and more underground water entering in to my lower renovated level when living on the side of a mountain. Once the water level reach I think around 20-30mm the pump would common and pump the water out automatically.

 

Nailbag

Re: How to fix side of house drainage?

Thanks. I actually bought a demo saw to remove the concrete that was next to the house. Removing it was a bit traumatic though! 😢

 

I think I've landed on my preferred option for feedback.

 

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Red will be a megaflo green pip laid horizontally in a trench in the middle with sand feeding into the blue easydrain 3m cut to length which will feed into the yellow existing pipe under the driveway. Then will connect the pipe into a slit pit on the driveway (either cutting the concrete or putting the pit in the lawn). Purple is a gutter which needs to be reangled which will also feed into the slit pit then feed out onto the stormwater outlet on the road.

 

Will I need a plumber to connect some of this stuff even though it's being discharged onto the curb/road and not straight into the drains?

 

Dave-1
Community Megastar

Re: How to fix side of house drainage?

Morning @plentyofq 

:smile: Glad you have a plan. tho thought at first you were going up the side of your house :smile:

Makes sense what you say and yeah I had a mate use the demo saw as I was a little nervous, now I think I could but first time it was a woooooo nope.

 

As to the question regaurding a plumber. I live in NSW and my plumber told me I could connect stormwater no issues HOWEVER other members from differant states have definently been told otherwise. I would suggest you hit up a local plumber to back you up on what you want to do for peace of mind. I do know Sydney water take a dull view on non standard things for sure.

 

Dave

Re: How to fix side of house drainage?

I'd agree with @Dave-1, @plentyofq. You should check with a plumber, council or waterboard in your area to determine whether professional assistance is required.

 

Otherwise, your plan sounds fine.

 

Mitchell

  

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