How to improve drainage and stop water pooling around house?

Question

Hi there - I have recently had a very small house re stumped. The home is on a hill and water currently gathers and puddles at the top end (see pics). I am thinking now with the house re stumped and the exterior clear a bit that it is a good time to tackle drainage. I have been reading about ag pipe systems and this sounds like a solution here (or part of it). What would people suggest be installed close to / next to the house at this high end to help move water away from the house and prevent flooding / puddling. I would like to DIY as much as i can however understand i will likely need plummer to connect to storm drain ? Thoughts ? Let me know what else u need to know ? (The retaining wall also needs attention but just curious on thoughts for closer to house) - these pictures are looking from either side of the same exterior - this is the highest point - look forward to your thoughts.

EricL · Answer

Hello @KPD

Just to add to the suggestions made by our members, I recommend thinking about paving the entire area so that water can properly be redirected into large drain channels such as the

https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhard-3m-easydrain-polymer-grate-and-prejoined-channel_p4770175

in combination with large

https://www.bunnings.com.au/everhard-450mm-series-300-deep-stormwater-pit-base_p4771445

to accommodate large down pours. The advantage of the EasyDRAIN channels is that it intercepts the rainwater and does not allow it to soak into the ground. The pavers also act as a shield and direct any water flowing onto the surface into the drain area.

I've placed a sample image rendered in AI to give you an idea of what it could look like when paved and organized with the drain channels installed.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

JacobZ · Answer

Hi @KPD,

I'm sure @MikeTNZ will get back to you shortly with some thoughts, but in the meantime I can offer a bit of guidance.

Oftentimes houses on stumps will have a slatted skirt. There are some examples of this shown in the following discussion -

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/106836/how-to-add-under-house-screening-to-metal-posts

Being outdoors, whatever you use needs to be weather resistant. This means h3 treated timber for anything above ground and h4 treated timber for anything touching the ground. Alternatively, you can use hardwood products which are naturally resistant to weathering, or manufactured products such as fibre cement or composite timbers.

I'd suggest a frame between the stumps similar to the one Eric designed in the above discussion, using H3 framing timber, with horizontal slats. For the horizontal slats, you could use H3 LOSP in a profile such as

https://www.bunnings.com.au/42-x-11mm-5-4m-h3-treated-pine-fj-dar-primed-losp_p0020736

if you were looking to paint it, or something like merbau decking if you wanted a timber look.

Regardless of what you choose to do, you just want to ensure it is appropriate for exterior use, it is kept off the ground to avoid rot from the pooling water, and that it does not adversely affect the airflow beneath the house.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

KPD · Answer

thanks @MikeTNZ - yes i need to organise spouting and down pipes on that side. Do u have any thoughts on what i could use at the base of the house to cover the gap where the stumps are. Would this be exterior cladding - perhaps treated ? Appreciate your thoughts.