Drainage - The Final Chapter

[2manyrocks]

Cheaper to do this once and be done with it with the right materials than for it to clog and not drain properly and have to be redone. Corrugated plastic pipe is flexible which makes it harder to accurately set in place so it is correctly pitched. Rigid solid wall pipe will be easier to correctly set in place, less likely to sag, and will carry more water with fewer clogs. So spend the $ and be done.

You could install multiple drain pipes if needed to achieve the capacity needed.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Been a good couple days. Got a lot accomplished and I feel really good about it.

Laid my first block wall. Went well, mixed the perfect amount of mud and got it done before the mud went bad. I was going to do Quikwall but they had me running across town to find it. So I said screw it, let's do it the old fashioned way! Now I can say I have laid block. Yeah, I know, some of my joints are too close. I laid them out dry, thinking I was going to do quikwall, but when I added in the mortar it changed things up and moved my joints closer together. It will all be stuccoed so it will disappear.

I ended up going with 6" rigid. It wasn't that expensive at all. I forgot to get a picture before I started slinging gravel. But it is going to work well I think. I bought a 12"x12:x17" plastic catch basin from HD. I was planning on making one out of concrete but this one has a nice cover and plastic strainer that goes inside. I poured a concrete block for it to sit on so I could get it the exact elevation I wanted to take the water from the driveway. I screwed it to the concrete with neoprene washers and siliconed. I didn't to want it shifiting around until I get it backfilled.

After I backfill some more I will form up a level curb from the garage all the way to the left of that catch basin about 5 feet to direct all that water into the basin. This will increase the basin size and help with storage for the big rains.

Tomorrow is seat time in the tractor pushing dirt in the hole. I also have a plate tamper I am going to use to get the dirt good and compacted. Yes, my dirt is dry! I will probably have to add some water for sure.

 

[2manyrocks]

Maybe I am not understanding, but looks like you'd want to add an underground drain to carry away the water from the gutter downspout?

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Maybe I am not understanding, but looks like you'd want to add an underground drain to carry away the water from the gutter downspout?

I will shorten the downspout to pour right into the catch basin.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Well I am getting closer to closing this hole up and putting this behind me. I formed and poured the curb that will catch all the water coming from that side of the property and send it into the catch basin and into the backyard via the 6" pipe. Still a few things to do but this is a BIG step, as LOTS of water moves through that corner. I gotta say it was a PITA to form this and pour this but I am pleased with it. It is untested but I have been watching the behavior of the water in this location for 9 years and I am quite confident it is going to perform the task exactly as I planned it.

I was planning on using pavers in that flat spot between the curb and the door. I have decided to switch gears and pour a slab there. I just want this to be a one and done project. I think with the drainage and a slab water will never be an issue there. So far I feel good about it.

Because there is such a height discrepancy between the slab height and the door I have recently decided to make a wooden deck that is essentially even with the door. That way you take 1 step over the concrete curb and you walk into the house. I will probably make it in 2 pieces so every 5 years I can move it and clean out underneath it. Does anyone see any other solutions to this area. I need to solve 2 issues, the water that will fall in that 8.5'x9' area and not having to step up and over a bunch of curbs as you walk in and out of the house. I am only 50 but we plan on being here for a while yet. I am trying to incorporate as much infrastructure that will allow us to age in place.

What would you do here? Any other ideas are welcome! Hoping to get this wrapped up this weekend. The weather has cooperated wonderfully this fall but the winter rains are coming!

 

[2manyrocks]

With that much moisture, I think you should consider using composite plastic material. If you can install it so there are no steps, that would be a future plus. My parents had one step in their kitchen that turned out to be a real problem for them in their old age.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

With that much moisture, I think you should consider using composite plastic material. If you can install it so there are no steps, that would be a future plus. My parents had one step in their kitchen that turned out to be a real problem for them in their old age.

Yes, I had thought about using the composite decking. I like the colors and the lack of maintenance will be a plus.
As far as a step, there will probably be a small 3" up onto the deck and then basically straight into the house. A ramp could be added very easily from the side if it ever became an issue.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you could get it all flat to avoid toe stubbing I think it would be better in the long run. Do you have one of these leveling lasers to see how it might lay out? https://www.amazon.com/BOSCH-GLL50-...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584207598930212&th=1

Don't know much about this one except it's half the price and 10k reviews. https://www.amazon.com/RockSeed-Sel...-14-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

 

[HawkinsHollow]

If you could get it all flat to avoid toe stubbing I think it would be better in the long run. Do you have one of these leveling lasers to see how it might lay out?

I do have a laser. They are great!

I would love to have zero steps. But that concrete curb I just poured has to be there to direct the water to the catch basin. So that little 3" step up from the driveway will have to remain for now. That being said, at some point we will repave the driveway. When that happens it is likely we will raise the level of the driveway in that spot and we can get it essentially flat there.

 

[2manyrocks]

They make transition strips with a 3" rise if that's the correct measurement. Amazon.com : transition 3" rise

Or you could form and pour a concrete transition to deal with the 3" rise.