Landscapers and smart people - standing water in backyard/drainage issue

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Landscapers and smart people - standing water in backyard/drainage issue

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:27:16 PM EDT

I am trying to sell my old house but we can't close until I fix this issue.

It's been raining a lot this week and supposed to next week as well. Closing date was extended to the 29th and all landscapers I've called say they're booked up for 2-3 weeks... Great

Any tips or suggestions on how I could fix this myself? I've seen french drains, drywells and just cover the bitch in sand, soil and sod.

I borrowed a small pool pump and got most of the standing water out to access the situation. The soggy trapped spot in the backyard backs up about 12-14ft from the fence and the whole distance from the fence to that side of the house. I thought maybe the fence was acting as a dam, but it was not.

The backyard slopes down but then it plateaus in this dead spot. After that on the other side of the fence it is still relatively flat and doesn't slope much more to damn near the cable box.

WWYD?

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:33:31 PM EDT

[#1]

Fix what?

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:35:58 PM EDT

[#2]

I am not an expert, but I had a similar issue with a house in Georgia. The fix was a French drain with the gutter downspouts feeding into the French drain.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:37:19 PM EDT

[#3]

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Quoted:
I am not an expert, but I had a similar issue with a house in Georgia. The fix was a French drain with the gutter downspouts feeding into the French drain.

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Yeah I've seen that but it's definitely from more than just the one gutter offshoot on that side. Before I pumped the area, there was 3-5" of water in that 10ftx5ft area

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:41:51 PM EDT

[#4]

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Quoted:

Yeah I've seen that but it's definitely from more than just the one gutter offshoot on that side. Before I pumped the area, there was 3-5" of water in that 10ftx5ft area

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Quoted:

Quoted:
I am not an expert, but I had a similar issue with a house in Georgia. The fix was a French drain with the gutter downspouts feeding into the French drain.

Yeah I've seen that but it's definitely from more than just the one gutter offshoot on that side. Before I pumped the area, there was 3-5" of water in that 10ftx5ft area

Is some of it coming from the neighbor(s) behind you? The first picture makes it look like their yard slopes to your backyard.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:44:18 PM EDT

[#5]

OP if that's as bad as it gets, I probably wouldn't worry too much about it.

Warning: I am not a certified expert on this.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:46:40 PM EDT

[#6]

You need some drains on that side of the house, I can see that quality Mississippi home manufacturing has not provided you with any.

It's been raining pretty damn hard this time of year, so some of it may simply be due to the fact that you have a low-lying area in your backyard.

What I would be worried about is if there's any damage to the foundation in that area, that looks exactly like a place where water had eroded the foundation at my parents house in Mobile.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:49:14 PM EDT

[#7]

Where are you pumping the water to? Who is complaining, the buyer or the underwriters?

Maybe rent a ditch witch and cut a long trench to the gutter or wherever you are draining to and backfill it with gravel and plant grass over that.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:49:25 PM EDT

[#8]

It's possible some is coming from them, but my whole backyard has a downward slope on it and is kind of funneled to that corner which has a "divot". But from that corner out to halfway in the front is a pretty much flat..

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:51:49 PM EDT

[#9]

What kind of soil do you have? Clay?

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:52:12 PM EDT

[#10]

Quote History

Quoted:
Where are you pumping the water to? Who is complaining, the buyer or the underwriters?

Maybe rent a ditch witch and cut a long trench to the gutter or wherever you are draining to and backfill it with gravel and plant grass over that.

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I had a hose run out to the curb to try to dry out the area. This issue is just from the appraiser it seems like. Until he checks off on the repairs, we can't close. Apparently, they've known this needed to be fixed for 2 months but just decided to let me know.

This whole house selling process has been absolutely awful because of the buyer's being stupid, buyer's agent being stupid and everything else on that side. They were already approved and ready to close once but decided to change loan types. From VA to FHA.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:52:39 PM EDT

[#11]

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Quoted:
What kind of soil do you have? Clay?

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Quoted:
What kind of soil do you have? Clay?

Um... dirt? lol.

Quoted:

Maybe rent a ditch witch and cut a long trench to the gutter or wherever you are draining to and backfill it with gravel and plant grass over that.

My realtor says just cover the area in sand, soil and sod and make it look pretty enough for the appraiser to check off. Which may end up being the solution.. hah

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:54:26 PM EDT

[#12]

Water flows down hill. My bet is you just need to trench through the high spots so it drains out. If that doesn't work, rent a trenching machine, cut a 18" deep trench all the way to the curb, line it with a silt fabric, place an emitter next to the curb, and back fill it with gravel. Top it with a sod.

Posted: 4/21/2016 6:54:47 PM EDT

[#13]

Do you have a septic system?

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:01:40 PM EDT

[#14]

Grade it away from the house at a 2% slope, create a swale draining at 1% (1ft drop in 100ft) whichever direction is lowest... Be aware the sewer authority.might have a problem with you doing anything (engineer required).

Correct long term/permanent solution would probably be a french drain

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:03:36 PM EDT

[#15]

Quote History

Quoted:
Grade it away from the house at a 2% slope, create a swale draining at 1% (1ft drop in 100ft) whichever direction is lowest... Be aware the sewer authority.might have a problem with you doing anything (engineer required).

Correct long term/permanent solution would probably be a french drain

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Long term solution is I don't have the house next week.. lol I haven't lived in it since August.

Basically that whole side of the yard is soggy, even on the front yard side of the fence. It just doesn't stay flooded more than 1". I think it will take a trench all the way out to the curb, but I don't want to make it look awful with my lack of skill. Also, cable box is in the way, so it would need to be diverted around that.

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:08:07 PM EDT

[#16]

What I would have done (like a couple years ago) would be to carpet the low areas with mulch and let it decay into flat level earth.

A bit late at this point.

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:11:54 PM EDT

[#17]

French drain and have it discharge to the street.

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:16:01 PM EDT

[#18]

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Quoted:
French drain and have it discharge to the street.

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I'm confused on how it terminates. Does the end need to exit somewhere? If the pipe slopes downward in a trench, how does water not just get backed up in the tube? Would the water go upwards though a pop-up emitter or just be trapped and then backflow and still cause a problem?

I'd have to go under a sidewalk and then cut a hole in the curb for that. Not sure the city would appreciate that.. lol

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:43:21 PM EDT

[#19]

Quote History

Quoted:

I'm confused on how it terminates. Does the end need to exit somewhere? If the pipe slopes downward in a trench, how does water not just get backed up in the tube? Would the water go upwards though a pop-up emitter or just be trapped and then backflow and still cause a problem?

I'd have to go under a sidewalk and then cut a hole in the curb for that. Not sure the city would appreciate that.. lol

View Quote View All Quotes

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Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
French drain and have it discharge to the street.

I'm confused on how it terminates. Does the end need to exit somewhere? If the pipe slopes downward in a trench, how does water not just get backed up in the tube? Would the water go upwards though a pop-up emitter or just be trapped and then backflow and still cause a problem?

I'd have to go under a sidewalk and then cut a hole in the curb for that. Not sure the city would appreciate that.. lol

The pipe will have holes in it and drain out while its traveling down. You need to bed it in rocks.

Posted: 4/21/2016 7:45:41 PM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
I am trying to sell my old house but we can't close until I fix this issue.

all landscapers I've called say they're booked up for 2-3 weeks... Great

WWYD?

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Offer more money. Someone's schedule will open up.