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How to stop water coming through treated pine sleeper joints?

I have had flooding my neighbours from water through a colourbond fence and flooding my yard.

He will not do anything about this water which floods my yard and randwick council have been of no help after repeated requests to have the neighbour properly drain his property. This has been going on for 20 years.

I have put three rows of treated pine sleepers across the bottom of the colourbond fence and siliconed all of the joints to divert the water which is working however the silicone doesn't last and the water comes through the joints.

I desperately need advice on what I can put on these joints between the treated pine sleeper to stop the water.

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Comments

MitchellMc

Hi @Barbara35,

I understand how frustrating ongoing water issues can be, especially when they affect your property for so long. It’s important to remember that water from neighbouring blocks needs to be managed carefully, as restricting runoff can sometimes cause more pressure behind your sleeper wall, potentially leading to damage. Retaining walls are usually designed to allow water to flow through and relieve that pressure.

If you want to reduce water coming through the joints in your treated pine sleepers, using a durable sealant like Sikaflex can be more effective than standard silicone, though water may still find its way underneath. Another practical option is to install drainage in front of the wall to catch and redirect water safely to your stormwater system.

Since modifications affecting water flow and retaining walls can be subject to local regulations, it’s a good idea to follow up with your local council to ensure any changes comply with their requirements. This can help protect your property and make sure the water management solution is sustainable and safe in the long term.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/55776#Comment_55776

Thank you for your reply the sleepers a three high and divert the water to the rear corner where it comes under the colourbond fence and is diverted with more sleepers down the side to drain.

I will try the product that you have suggested.

I have bought a roll of Jack Edge Barrier protects fences and walls and prevents water however I would have to put this on the front side where the water comes through as the side the water comes from is flush against the colour bond fence and I can not put anything on the side it is coming from.

I will have to wait until everything dries up now.

I really appreciate your help

Kind Regards

Barbara

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/55776#Comment_55776

I forgot to mention that there is drainage along the fence and all over the yard but the volume that comes through was lessened with the sleepers and the silicone on joints but sometimes silicon comes out so maybe the Sikaflex will help although it will take quite a few tubes

Regards

Barbara

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/90148#Comment_90148

Hi again @Barbara35,

For larger areas, it's best to go with the large trade sausage version of Sikaflex. It's more economical that way.

Mitchell

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/110927#Comment_110927

Thanks Mitchell,

There is a 600ml concrete grey Sikaflex 11 f c purform that is $36.72 and another sika 600ml concrete grey sikaflex pro+polyurethane sealant for $28.65

Could I use the second one it would be cheaper if I could

How do I apply the sausage product?

Regards'

Barbara

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/122849#Comment_122849

You could use the Sikaflex Pro @Barbara35. It would still be superior to standard silicone.

For the sausage product, you will need a Paint Partner Aluminium Caulking Gun.

Mitchell

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130645#Comment_130645

Hi Mitchell,

Could I use hard as nails?

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135438#Comment_135438

You'd be in the adhesive territory with construction adhesive, like hard as nails, which is not a sealant like Sikaflex, @Barbara35. It doesn't have any waterproofing qualities, though it could work to block the water to some degree.

Mitchell

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138674#Comment_138674

Thank you Mitchell,

I will have to wait until everything dries out before attempting this.

Regards

Barbara

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/55776#Comment_55776

Hi Mitchell,

We have drainage at the right along the base of the back fence and drainage all over the back yard this will accommodate water from our property but not the flooding that comes over from the neighbours. We even had our storm water down the side replaced with 100ml pipe two outlets into the street and a 2ft square pit put into the front of our property to collect water build up and allow flow into the street.

As I have mentioned I have had council out to see the problem and where the flooding comes from and they do nothing.

The property behind has a 9" clay pipe running across the middle of his yard which was the storm water for those properties back in 1960. Council have said they are not responsible for this and after investigating found out that they are not responsible for this. Supposedly his stormwater eg. down pipes etc is supposed to run into this and any runoff.

When the property next door to him was being built he advised them that this was the storm water pipe. This pipe has been built over right down Nix

Avenue when new builds have been built and probably crushed. There is an access point in this pipe which probably just overflows into the yard there is no drainage to the street.

My husband passed away last July and it seems there is no solution to this problem I just have to wait until the property behind is sold and a new build goes up then I will pursue council again for proper drainage.

As you are probably aware this is not the first time I have contacted Bunnings workshop for help and I have taken your suggestions into account.

Thank you.

Kind Regards

Barbara

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/90318#Comment_90318

That sounds incredibly frustrating to deal with, @Barbara35, especially when it feels like there isn’t a clear solution and council involvement hasn’t helped.

Please know that the Bunnings Workshop community is here to offer advice, support, and ideas wherever possible. Even when the larger drainage issues are out of your control, we’re happy to help with smaller-scale solutions or guidance to manage the water on your property as best as possible in the meantime.

We’re here for you. Reach out if you need any assistance.

Mitchell

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/111027#Comment_111027

Hi Mitchell,

Thank you for your help

Kind Regards

Barbara

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/122910#Comment_122910

Hi Mitchell,

Does Sikaflex set hard like hard as nails or is it more soft like silicone and will it stick to wood?

Kind Regards

Barbara

EricL

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/130689#Comment_130689

Hello @Barbara35

Sikaflex will often have a note saying if it is a flexible sealant. You'll also see an icon indicating if it has any flexing capabilities. When you see these indicators, the silicone will dry like rubber.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/135466#Comment_135466

Hi Eric Sydney Tool Alexandria have Sikaflex Pro Multipurpose Sealant Polyurethane for external use 600ml for $23.50

Would Bunnings beat that price?

Regards

Barbara

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/138699#Comment_138699

Hi @Barbara35,

From what I can tell, we can beat that price. It's best to speak with our team in-store, and they'll be able to check it out for you.

Mitchell

Barbara35

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140840#Comment_140840

Hi,

The water coming through the bottom of the colour bond fence is a lot of surface water as he has a 3 brick high wall across the back on his side and up the sides which was a vegetable garden years ago and now is just a full of weeds that can be 3 to 4 ft high of the fence and in heavy rain all of his drainage goes into this area and fills up like a swimming pool then overflows over the brick wall and under the colourbond fence into my place. I do have agi pipe down low but the flow under the fence is a lot and fast and floods through the garden.

If I did a dug a shallow area across the bottom of the treated pine sleepers for more drainage I'm not sure it would help unless it was as open trough that would probably fill with mulch from the garden. I could fill it with drainage gravel.

Or dig this shallow area and put more agi pipe with sleeve on it and cover with drainage gravel but the agi pipe is would also let the water flow through into the garden.

Can I buy storm water pipe and have it cut in half and put this down in that area so that it could the flow could be redirected. If so how do I get the pipe cut in half?

Lots of questions but lots of problems

Regards

Barbara

MitchellMc

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/142424#Comment_142424

Hi @Barbara35,

It might be worth going back over the information discussed in your original post: How to stop water overflowing from other properties. In it, there was quite a bit of advice from our members on how to capture that water. A stormwater pipe cut in half could work, but you'd likely need to have a handyperson cut it down for you. I'd still be going with my original advice of digging a trench in front of the wall, placing an ag line at the bottom, and then backfilling with gravel. That will not only capture the surface water coming through the retaining wall but also the subsurface water that is also coming under it. It's best to have this ag line connected to your stormwater system.

Mitchell

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