How to fix rainwater drainage?

[aisac]

Hi everyone,

Looking for advice or ideas to fix a drainage issue in our yard.

Every time we get heavy or continuous rain, the drainage system overflows and water starts pooling next to the concrete slab. It creates small puddles that hang around way too long instead of draining away.

I’ve posted some pictures for reference so you can see the area I’m talking about.

Has anyone dealt with something similar?

Would love tips on how to:

Redirect the water flow

Improve drainage

Prevent water from sitting close to the slab (worried about long-term damage)

Open to any cost-effective DIY suggestions or professional solutions too.

Thanks in advance! 

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @aisac 

Going through your photos 

Gravel path with stepping stones plus drain - The water sitting makes me think that the ag pipe is either clogged or the holes in it are, due to clay.

Solution - Dig up the entire length of ag pipe (presuming it comes out under the gravel) and then either resock/clean and reuse the pipe plus add gravel only back over it.

New slab at rear of house.

Solution - Pretty much the same as the one above, dig a trench 300mm deep and 200mm wide, lay some socked ag pipe in it and backfill with only gravel. If you want grass to the edge of the slab then you could change over the trench and ag pipe to a grill styed drain. Tho looking at your beautiful lawn it seem sto be doing ok, just with some long lasting puddles. Either the grill or ag pipe ends up at the stormwater pit. 

Dave

[EricL]

Hello @aisac 

Thanks for sharing your question about your rainwater drains. I totally agree with @Dave-1's recommendation in regards to digging it out and giving it a clean. It's also a good opportunity to find out if it has been damaged and it might need replacing. Just to add to the suggestions made in regards to the new slab, I also recommend placing geo fabric above the socked agi pipe before you cover it with gravel. This will filter out the fine sand and clay that might settle inside the agi pipe.

My best advice is to use a Cyclone Stainless Steel Garden Fork to aerate your entire lawn for better water absorbtion and prevent puddles from forming.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric