On Mon, 09 Jun 2003 13:10:57 -0400, Billy wrote:

I just bought a resale home and found that the back yard is like a swamp.
The neighbor behind me, to the left and to the right of me are on higher
ground and slightly sloped toward my back yard, and the rear neighbor had
their lot re-graded and piped in the past to direct water my way.

My back yard is completely flat and slightly lower, with a sloped down
front yard away from the house. Many parts of the lawn to the rear and
center of the yard bulge with water puddles after moderate rainfall, and
the water does not move. Additionally, we have a 35x25 patio with a
negative pitch toward the home causing water to sit against the house with
no place to go but in. Last week, the water sat there like a pool almost
up to my ankles!

The good news is that I have a drainage easement on my property, and
there's a grate in the far corner of my yard to accept water if I was to
redirect it to it. A Mason/Landscaper advised a buried perforated pipe and
crushed stone drainage system throughout the yard, at an incredible cost.
He said he would draw out maps of the drain pipes, etc ... the whole bit.

I want to know if anyone with this problem has tackled this, and if there
is any DIY option. If you have any "how to" web sites or info on
installing this type of drainage system or regarding these types of issues
and solutions, I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm good with yard work and
tools, if I need to rent a digger and have stones and pipe delivered to
save thousands, I'll do it - I just need help on where to go to learn how.


What your looking to build is called a french drain. They are rather easy
to build but expensive to have built. Moving dirt is about the most
expensive thing one can do. If the water is sheeting into your property
then you may need to build a deeper drain called a curtain drain. Your
case sounds like roof run off imho (in my hummble opinion).

I would also call your city goverment about the water issue that flows
from your neighbors. Some city laws will consider that any water coming
from your neighbors to be his and he should be responsible for damage that
may be cause by him draining his property into yours. If your getting
water in your basement, then your receiving damage.

Here's the google search for "french drain how-to".
http://www.google.com/search?q=french+drain+how-to

--
http://yard-works.netfirms.com
Bellingham, Washington
Georgia straits area
Zone 8a usda