How to add backyard drainage without stormwater connection?

[GingerNinja]

Hey everyone, quick question. I really need to install some drainage in our backyard due to water pooling when it pours here in qld and it can take a long time to evaporate due to clay soil.

My only concern is that I have limited funds due to a daughter with a disability, so while I am ok with installing something like this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/megaflo-170-x-40mm-20m-green-socked-slotted-agi-pipe-with-fittings_p0439...

I have a problem in that I cannot afford the cash to have a plumber come out and connect to storm water.

Do I have any options? 

Thanks

Ben

[EricL]

Hello @GingerNinja 

Would it be possible for you to post a photo of your backyard? This will give our members a better idea of what's happening. We can then make recommendations on possible solutions. If you are not yet ready to have a plumber come over to do the link to your storm water. I can only suggest holding off and waiting for the right time when you have enough resources to have it done. 

But as I mentioned, once our members see the photos of your backyard, they might be able to offer solutions that will help you divert the water.

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

Eric

[GingerNinja]

This is an extreme example during flash flooding in QLD but you get the idea. The area in red fills up pretty quick. My street is on a slop and we are midway down the hill so we cop water from the two higher neighbours. 

[Remarka6le]

Hey @GingerNinja, 

I’m up in QLD too and stuck with clay soil, so I know exactly what you’re dealing with — once it’s saturated the water just sits there for days. What’s worked for me is first watching the yard carefully during heavy rain and marking all the spots where water naturally pools or flows with coloured garden stakes. It sounds simple, but it gives you a clear map of where the problem areas are and helps you plan your drains properly.

From there, I’ve been running EasyDRAIN channels along those marked lines. They don’t connect to stormwater, but they make a big difference by catching the water and spreading it out rather than letting it sit. I’m also running strips along each fence post, so the water has more opportunities to soak away into the ground instead of building up in the centre.

If you want to go a step further, you can dig shallow gravel trenches with socked agi pipe. They don’t need to tie into stormwater, they just help move the water sideways into areas that can handle it better, or into a DIY soak pit. The key is to follow those stakes you put in during the rain, because they show you exactly where the water wants to go.

It’s not a once-and-done fix, especially with clay, but observing, marking, and then slowly installing drains in the right spots has worked well for me. Over time you’ll notice the yard dries out faster and the big puddles stop hanging around.

[EricL]

Hello @GingerNinja 

Thank you for sharing that photo. Would you happen to know if your yard has a council drain nearby inside your yard or your backyard is close to a natural concrete drain in a driveway? Installing a French drain would be my suggested solution,

 I understand that you are not prepared for the plumber to come over, I recommend posting the job on Hipages or Airtasker to get a quote for the connection. This will at least give you an idea of how much the service might cost. I would suggest waiting and gathering your resources until such time that you are ready.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag, @Remarka6le and @Noyade for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @GingerNinja 

Mmm I was thinking at first to fill in the dip with soil over time so the water then wouldnt pool so much, but that really shifts the problem to your neighbours which isnt the best. 

Do you know where your stormwtar pipes run on your block is my first question? With the middle of the yard being the pooling point and your house is on a slope I am hoping that the stormwater flows down hill. Do you have any plastic white round inspection points around the yard? Pretty much if you follow your downpipes and then imagine them joining and flowing down to either a service pipe at the rear of your yard you may stumble across one half burried (I am presuming your yard slopes front yard being high and backyard being low) 

It may be an idea to get a plumber out to give you a quote on where the imanginary stormwater grill that you would install and would enter your stormwater pipes. That way you have something to work towards and you will know where the stormwatre pipes are. The stormwater pipes should also be listed on the sevices plan of your house (you should have had it when you bought or its available from your council I think) that shows where various pipes travel.

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @GingerNinja 

I'm very sorry to hear of your issues and I can appreciate the complication of funds to rectify. 

My first point of contact would be to the local council and see what they might be able to assist with since much of the water issues are due to neighbours of higher ground. There may be some responsibility for them to manage this?

If it turns out that essentially each man for himself, then I would be inclined to dig a small hold under the fence at the lowest point and allow the water to escape. I used to love on the side of a hill and now so does a good friend of mine. We experienced exactly the same issues though not from Qld storms, but this was the advice from council as it allowed water to naturally travel south until it eventually made it to their stormwater system.

@Remarka6le has some excellent suggestions, but having said that you both know that flash flooding like this from a Qld storm as short and sweet they are will not be initially absorbed by a sock drain. It needs a rapid escape plan supported by something like a channel or sock drain. NT residence know this very well as they are 10X worse off. They don't even bother with guttering. Its all about rapid deployment of water to avoid damage then manage the lighter rainfalls with drains.

Sorry this doesn't provide a 100% solution, but hope it gets the thought process going on other avenues.

Nailbag