French Drain Insights: Managing Runoff in Shellharbour

Addressing Water Ingress Challenges in Shellharbour

In Shellharbour, a homeowner encountered a serious and worsening problem with water ingress. Water from two adjacent properties, situated at a higher elevation, began flowing into their garden and seeping under the house’s foundation. This water intrusion caused extensive damage to the flooring, encouraged rising damp, and promoted mould growth within the property, jeopardising recent renovations.

How Can You Identify Signs of Water Intrusion?

The issue arose from both surface runoff and subsurface water flowing downhill from the back and side yards of neighbouring properties. Without an effective drainage solution to intercept this water, it inevitably flowed beneath the house.

Creating an Effective Drainage System

CS Plumbing designed and installed a gravity-fed French drain system aimed at capturing and redirecting water before it could reach the home’s foundation.

This project incorporated several crucial elements:

A French drain system specifically designed to collect both surface and subsurface water from adjacent properties, efficiently channelling it through gravity to a concrete pit.
A 100mm PVC pipe extending from the pit to the curb, equipped with strategically drilled holes in the curb to ensure optimal water discharge.
Three new, larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, replacing the original smaller versions, linked to new 100mm PVC piping directing water to the curb.
A retaining wall system constructed along the boundary using concrete sleepers and galvanised steel posts, with auger holes drilled using an excavator to form a solid barrier that holds back the adjacent yard.
Efficient soil removal on-site facilitated with a dumper to ensure streamlined management of the worksite.

What Measures Can You Implement for Effective Water Management?

The newly installed system now effectively captures both surface and subsurface water at the property boundary, ensuring it is diverted away from the home. The homeowner has secured a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution that safeguards the foundation, flooring, and their investment in renovations.