Backyard flooding is a widespread problem that can occur for various reasons.
These may include poor soil grading, improper location of your house, clogged gutters and poor drainage. In most homes that experience flooding, the reason is a drainage problem. It occurs when the drainage system gets overwhelmed by the amount of water passing through it and causes it to flow outside through outlets like drains.
The best way to deal with this problem is to install an outdoor drainage system; this guide will help you know how.
Installing An Outdoor Drainage System
1. Selecting The Location
When planning to install drainage, the first thing to do is select the correct drain location. You can use existing water bodies or drainage to locate the outlet where runoff water can go out. Water can be diverted to the curb of the road but should not be redirected to neighbouring houses.
Use flags, stakes or spray paint to mark the length and direction of the drain. Remember that water should constantly be drained from a higher to a lower level and away from the house. Also, make sure to get the required permissions from the authorities and determine whether there are any zoning restrictions in the area.
2. Digging The Drainage Trench
Before digging, check that there are no underground pipes and lines where the drain line will be located. If the spot is clear, start digging while ensuring the trench has a depth of 18 inches and a width of nine to 12 inches.
Additionally, the drain should have a one per cent slope to ensure water flows to a lower level. This means that for every ten feet of the pipe to be installed, the drain will slope for at least an inch. You can rent a trencher or use a trenching shovel to dig the drain.
3. Using Filter Fabric To Line The Trench
A weed barrier or a filter fabric will help protect the drain line from tree roots, silt, dirt and other materials while allowing water to pass through. This fabric should be laid on top of the gravel layer, and the sides should have at least ten inches of extra fabric.
4. Creating The Bedding
Landscaping stone and gravel are the most suitable materials for creating the bedding for the outdoor drain. These should be poured directly and compacted correctly, and the layer should be at least three inches thick, as the drainage pipe will rest on this bedding.
5. Installing The Pipe Connections
First, you must install an inlet grate where most excess water collects. Use as many fittings as required so the drainage pipe can reach the outlet from the inlet grate.
You can use PVC pipes, which can provide additional durability to the system or a flexible drainage hose in the case of a curved drain. A flexible pipe is simpler and more economical, but PVC can be cleaned easily using a plumber’s snake.
If using a PVC pipe, you should drill multiple holes, each at a gap of six inches along the pipe length.
6. Setting The Pipe Into The Trench
When placing the connected pipe into the trench, ensure the holes face downwards. Using a 45-degree angle joint to connect the pipe to a section that comes out of the trench will provide an access point for easy maintenance.
Once installed, you can test the pipe by pouring water into the trench.
7. Using Filter Fabric And Gravel To Cover The Pipe
The pipe should be covered with around three inches of crushed stone or gravel within the ground level. Then, use the filter fabric left open at the sides to protect it. Remember that covering the drainage pipe will make it more complicated to undertake maintenance but will make your backyard look much better.
8. Covering The System With Soil
Use the surrounding soil to fill the trench and cover the outdoor drain completely. But make sure to cover the inlet grate temporarily while covering the area with the surrounding soil to prevent anything from falling inside.
9. Connecting The Drain To The Municipal Drainage System
In cases where a municipal stormwater drain is present nearby, your outdoor drainage system can be connected to it. To do that, start digging near the base of the catch basin of the municipal system to determine whether there is a sleeve. This will help send the runoff water to the municipal system directly.
Catch basins prevent the entry of debris into the system and have a sleeve for connecting drainage pipes. This sleeve can connect your backyard drain to the municipal system. But if it is missing, you will need to drill into the side of the basin and install a pipe. This process requires special equipment and can only be performed by hiring a professional.
After installing the connecting pipe, you can connect your drainage to the municipal system.
10. Undertaking Proper Maintenance
You can use landscaping stone or reseed the covering surface of the system for maintenance. Also, clean the pipe outlet and the inlet grate regularly and, when required, flush the debris to ensure proper water flow.
If your outdoor drain gets clogged or damaged, you may need to dig it out for repairs. This is easier if the pipe is covered by stone instead of grass.
Installing A Gravel-Free Drainage System
A gravel-free drainage system consists of a grooved pipe with a polystyrene covering, on top of which lies a filter fabric wrapping. It can help save a lot of time since there is no need to place the filter fabric and the landscaping stone layer.
You need to set the pipe in the trench according to the manufacturer’s instructions and cover the pipe with soil.
Protect Your Property from Flooding!
Water flooding in your backyard can lead to drainage issues that can cause water damage. But with proper outdoor drainage, such problems can be prevented easily. You can even use it for rainwater harvesting by attaching a catchment barrel at the end of the drain.
Regularly maintaining such a system is crucial to ensure it functions correctly. Also, sometimes more than such a system may be needed, so you must install a similar system indoors. However, the indoor system generally includes a sump pump that can push water outside. Then, both the interior and exterior drainage systems can work together to prevent flooding.
Want help installing drainage for your backyard? Please speak to our Sydney plumbers at Fixed Today!
