How to install drainage to retain soil under house?

[NicoleDIY]

Our house is on a sloped block and in the heavy rain, trenches are created in the soil underneath the house. Are there some DIY drainage options we can put in to control the flow of water and stop the soil washing away?

 

   

[EricL]

Hello @NicoleDIY 

Thank you for sharing your question about your drainage options. There are some very strict rules in regards to water diversion and where it should drain when it is flowing down your property. I suggest engaging the services of a plumber so that they can advise you where the drains should be located and where it will be properly diverted to. It could be directed into your storm water drain or another drain point that is legally allowed. 

As to the type of drain to install, you can use Everhard 3m EasyDRAIN Polymer Grate And Prejoined Channel or perhaps build a large French drain running along the length of your property that will catch the flowing water and prevent soil erosion. Just keep in mind to refer your plan to the plumber before you start to make any changes. Another technique is to build a concrete drain pit and install a submersible pump that will pump the water away from the location should the drain point be farther away from the current location.

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

Eric

[NicoleDIY]

Thanks Eric, appreciate your reply. Engaging a plumber to install the drainage would be the long term solution for us. In the short term could we use something like the bastion 10mm blue metal to fill in the trenches and try and retain the soil? 

 

[EricL]

Hello @NicoleDIY 

I believe putting in 10mm blue metal would be a good temporary solution to prevent further erosion. But I advise not delaying too long as the blue metal will get eroded away should a large deluge come about. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @AlanM52 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

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

Eric

[AlanM52]

Hi @NicoleDIY,

Contain the blue metal with chook wire about every 1M.

I picked that for you cos it's only 10 bucks so you will need to fold a few times and flatten (rectangular shape).

With your weight on a spade wiggle to make a slot and repeat to work across to bridge the gap then shove in the chook wire barrier. If needed secure the top edge with fence wire and tent pegs.

Come back if needed...

Cheers

[NicoleDIY]

Thanks Alan, appreciate your advice. 

[Nailbag]

Hi @NicoleDIY 

I think the main thing to consider with anything temporary when it comes to major drainage issues thats causing erosion, is that most people then have an out of sight out of mind mindset. You need to be sure the delay is not allowing more serious seen and unseen damage. If you're getting heavy rain flowing through, anything too temporary could simply result in water making its way underneath. Just bear this in mind when following @AlanM52 tested temp solution.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @NicoleDIY 

I am wondering where the water is coming from? The right hand side looks like its coming down the side of the house then underneath the screen and eating away your soil? The left hand feed looks like there is a purpose built trench with pipe causing the issue?

Can the water be stopped from entering the right hand side? Is that rock outside or compacted earth?

Can the PVC pipe we can see be extended outside from under the house?

Can we have another photo of the right hand outside so we can see along the edge of the screen? I am thinking of stopping the water before it gets to go under the house is where my thoughts are heading. Does the ground outside slope downwards?

My first thought was very much along @AlanM52's but water is water and channeling works only if its made to do so, a temp solution needs maintenance and probarlly a few configuration changes. (dug drain, earth wall, dish styled drian or the French drain @EricL has mentioned. All require a fdair amount of work and lugging heavy gravel or rocks around underneath the house. So if you stop it outside, far easier on the back.

Looking forward to a few more pics

Dave