Thanks for any assistance. We got a guy to dig a trench at the lower part of a small embankment, along the dirt driveway to the drain. He only had one bucket size so really the trench was too wide to begin with, about 40-50cm. The trench is clay. Now each time it rains , here and there small areas of that embankment wall in the trench, collapse. What would be the best solution to ensuring the trench never collapses?
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @JacqG. It's great to have you join us. Please feel free to post anytime you need a hand or have a new project to share. We have helpful members sharing advice and inspiration on the site every day.
Could we please trouble you to take a few photos of the area so members can get a better understanding of what you are working with? From your description it sounds like you might need to build some sort of retaining wall or perhaps fill the trench with drainage gravel. Are you planning on installing any plumbing?
Jason
Hi @JacqG
Hard to stop natural erosion from happening but given the size of the trench consider lining it with black plastic (super tough)
Or some thing like
thanks Jason...no were weren't planning to more than dig a trench/gutter for rain to flow away into a drain and stop it from flowing over the gravel driveway - which now in all this heavy south cast rain forming mini erosion channels. Partner is thinking of using reo. And perhaps that together with the geo might be the go. Will put up some pics when I go out again.. thanks
thanks for that, I like the idea of the geo too...partner thinks it not aesthetically pleasing but my mind is on the erosion...
Good Morning @JacqG
Welcome to the Bunnings community 🙂 Ther are so many questions and projects in here that hopefully you will find an answer to your trench issue.
Love playing with drain issues for some reason (Think its because I like digging)
Any chance of a couple of pics of the trench and driveway? Might help in some ideas.
How deep is your trench? My first thought was to lay down gravel (20mm size) in the trench by say 5cm then install some french drain pipe reln stretch ag pipe 100mm x 8m slotted and socked then cover with more gravel. That way the sides wont collapse, the gravel will allow for drianage and the socked pipe will handle quantities in storms.
Might change my idea of what to suggest when I see some pics 🙂 At the moment I am thinking a downwards slopping driveway with the drain on the left of it looking at the road... 🙂 hahahah But really, work with the water and see where it flows, then match your drainage to where you want it to go.
Dave
I think I see where your guys are going with the reo as a frame I am guessing.
Also consider villaboard cut up into strips to line you trench walls a cement product so it will last and be cheaper than reo.
Black plastic in the trench and fill it with brick rubble will last a long time search on line for chunky brick rubble recyclers to get cheapest deliverys. Then you can drive walk over pit like its not there. Also on Gum tree look for free bricks go pick em up as fill. The top layer put some nicer stones to your taste or recycled rubble i use for concreting if avaliable in your area
sorry weather is so very bad its interfering with the internet and I'm finding to tricky#@!! to load pics currently..
I really like that idea... thanks Dave! We will do something like that...
oops soz Jewellryrescue HAHA! Your ideas are good too. many thanks
great idea with the brick rubble! Thanks for that Dave!
Hello @JacqG
Can you please send your pictures to workshop@bunnings.com.au. I'll be more than happy to post them for you. It sounds like the clay surface is being slowly washed away by the rain flowing down your driveway. If you combine both suggestions of using geo fabric and brick rubble it will definitely slow the water down and prevent further erosion.
We look forward to seeing the pictures.
Eric
thanks so much, really appreciate this website...have sent the pics just now
I've looked through our inbox and junk folder and I'm afraid your pictures did not come through. Can you please send it again?
workshop@bunnings.com.au
Thanks,
Oh!? ..sorry just sent again from my phone to the address indicated...
Hi @JacqG,
Seems like there are some issues in getting those images through to us via email. We are still not receiving them at workshop@bunnings.com.au. Could you check your outbox to see if they are still pending? Perhaps the images are too large and the email is failing to send. Have you tried using the text box upload feature for images?
Mitchell
I have sent them again from my laptop this time, Hopefully they get to you?
All good now @JacqG! I've added the images to your original post. I'll tag @Jewelleryrescue and @Dave-1 so they've got a better idea of what's going on.
The best option might be to line the trench with geotextile fabric and then fill it with drainage gravel. A bulk delivery hopefully wouldn't set you back too much. Have the truck dump it's load along the length of the trench and push it straight into the ditch. The only other option I can think of would be running a retaining wall along the entire length, but that's quite a long distance and a considerable amount of work.
Great! Thanks so much for all the assistance and advice!
Afternoon @JacqG
Wooohooo 🙂 Drainage plus! I like your gutter and would still go for the gravel/ag pipe with a sleeve and then more gravel tho maybe a larger size to cover it.
One of my workmates suggested larger stones to form a kind of dishdrain/creek bed. That could look pretty stylish and would also carry your excess stormwater. He suggested some quickset concrete in it but I am not sold on that idea 🙂
One of the photos have a line of small stones along the edge, Thats the size I wa sthinking for a dish like drain, maybe larger sized rocks on the high side of the gutter.
thanks Dave..yes I can see a solution in your advice... much appreciated
Hi @JacqG and all
just using a photo I have on website.
For you steeper wall areas. Simple rock wall with black woven weed mat behind supports an embankment (weed mat is cheaper than Geo cloth given you have a reasonably long section to do.
Use the weed mat plastic to line the trench fully including side walls. any excess simply fold under itself on the sides.
The rocks bed into the wall on top of weed mat and all the recent rains didnt budge them or allow erosion. Note the dirt path no erroision tracks after 2 years todate.
The dish part of the trench use weed mat with broken brick on top finish off with nicer gravel as a top layer. Including more of the crushed drive way rock it will settle in to the top of the brick work and still allow water to flow.
By all means run a ag pipe sitting in the middle of the bricks but I dont think it will benifit you much more than broken bricks ( the kind with holes in them) as the water always finds its way down stream
simple rock embankment just piled
a ha.. thanks for that, really helpful!
Thanks for sending the photos. Now that we see what's happening have you considered creating a concrete channel such as a spoon drain? It is possible to do it in 1m sections so that it will not crack or split. Another option is to use Brighton Masonry 200 x 200 x 50mm Charcoal Mypave Paver and build a "U" shaped channel to direct the water to the drain. The pavers can be joined together using Selleys 320g Liquid Nails Original Construction Adhesive.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
wow so many great ideas and options..I guess I want to be able to do it as cheaply and effectively as possible. Am liking the brick rubble with mesh to geo.. Everyone has been really helpful!
Please keep us updated on the project @JacqG, as I'm sure everyone will be keen to hear what method you go with.
will do 🙂
