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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 10:26 pm
by sickofdiy
Im a bit perplexed as to how to do the drainage in my garden and which is the best method.I will try to explain any help appreciated.
The garden floods at the bottom right hand corner like a pool! The siol here is a foot lower and goes to a dip so this must be the problem?We back onto neighbours and have neighbours both sides.I dont believe leveling of with turf or soil will solve the problem.
We have a drain near our back door one which is small also a main drain near our back door.The problem pool as explained is right the way down the bottom of the right hand corner of the garden about a 12 x 12ft area that floods .I need some kind of drainage system that isnt going to cost a packet as we have recently moved in and need new kitchen etc but this problem does need addressing.Any ideas? ???
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:37 am
by Stan Dinwater
You'll have to be careful, as you are not supposed add more capacity to a drain without permission.
I suffer from exactly the same problem and in the end decided to just raise the area, which was the least expensive way.
You could consider a soakaway, but its not that cheap an option. Consider digging a small hole and explore what the problem is, if like mine it is clay stopping the water draining then a soakaway is not a good option.
It could also be the quality of the soil, which can be improved by adding a sharp sand/horticultual grit etc
Anyway good luck, I know where your coming from, it's a pain of a problem without an easy solution!
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:29 pm
by sickofdiy
we were thinking of raising the area but it would only send the water else where hence why we need to put some kind of drainage in.
My husband was advised to dig a 2ft x 2ft hole and fill with gravel then level with topsoil and this would end the problem.I however am not sure whether this will work??
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 6:15 pm
by Tony McC
<fx:fanfare>Ta Da! </fx:fanfare> Yet again, the numpty idea of digging a soakaway in a waterlogged area is rolled out!
Sorry, Mrs O'fdiy, not your fault, I know, but why is there this ridiculous belief that digging a hole in a waterlogged area will magically cause the water to disappear? Water is collecting in that area because the soil is overly-compacted or impermeable or just plain saturated. Digging a hole in such a site creates a sump, not a soakaway. If the hole was to be deep enough to reach down to a porous/permeable layer beneath, then it would work, but a 2x2ft hole isn't likely to be any use whatsoever.
You could try to improve the ground, by digging over all of the waterlogged area, to a depth of at least 500mm (or to the top of the subsoil), breaking open the soil and incorporating lots of grit, grit sand and organic matter in the process, as described in the Improving Clay Soil FAQ I wrote for a gardening discussion group.
If, after 12-18 months, there is no marked improvement, then that would be the time to investigate the possibility of installing a land drainage system, which would involve as much, if not more work, and much more expense.
In many cases, well over 50%, simply improving the existing soil is enough to alleviate waterlogging problems. Digging for land drains and installing soakaways is all well and good if there is no other option. Try the improvement techniques and then come back next winter if you're still suffering.
Good luck!