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04-03-2005, 03:21 AM

wrote:
I like the trench idea. Would this solution also help drain the
exsisting water-logged soil or just help shedding when it rains?
Should I slope the earth towards the trench in the middle or, dig
several trenches?

As long as you don't line the sides of the trench with plastic all the
way to the top, it should drain the existing water logged soil as well
as catching surface runoff. It may not even be necessary to line the
bottom with plastic sheeting, but I think it would help direct any
water that doesn't enter the pipe. The water will seek the lowest
point, so it will seep through the walls of the trench and flow away
through the pipe. Eventually, the water table should be level with the
bottom of the trench, instead of at the surface.

If you can find the lowest point under the deck, I'd start the trench
there. It may not be necessary to dig multiple trenches. Make sure
the trench always runs downhill until you get to the place where you
want the water to drain out. Don't forget to put a nylon "sock" around
the perforated pipe (available along with the pipe at Home Despot or
Lowes) so that silt doesn't clog the pipe in a couple of years.

Once the trench is away from the waterlogged area, you could convert
from perforated to solid pipe and bury it under soil and plantings
instead of having a gravel filled trench.

I live in NC, too, and I've been digging similar trenches to drain
water away from the back of our house. I've also connected the gutters
to solid-walled pipe that runs through the same trench.

My only other piece of advice is to try to dig when the soil is damp
but not soaked (though that may not be possible in the waterlogged
area). When our clay is wet, it is incredibly sticky and permanently
stains clothes. When it is dry, it's like cement.