Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
(OP)
I have a yard that remains soggy (very soggy) well after rainfall. I have already taken all the downspout drainage to the rear corner of my property (more than 75' from the house). I did this to make sure the roof runoff was not the problem and also take this water away from foundation.
The yard is mostly clay. Super rock hard in the dry july summer, and soggy in the fall and spring after the rains. Will stay soggy for 2-3 week after rainfall.
What type of FD do I need or maybe soil ammendments? If i go FD, I am concerend that the geotextile will just eventully clog up and I am back to where I started. Should I skip geo and go perf pipe wrapped, sand, and top with topsoil? Should I go with amending the soil...but that would only be the soil I ammend. The soil/ earth below the ammendment will still be clay and just push the water back up???
Anyone out there with experience on this would be greatly appreciated.
The yard is mostly clay. Super rock hard in the dry july summer, and soggy in the fall and spring after the rains. Will stay soggy for 2-3 week after rainfall.
What type of FD do I need or maybe soil ammendments? If i go FD, I am concerend that the geotextile will just eventully clog up and I am back to where I started. Should I skip geo and go perf pipe wrapped, sand, and top with topsoil? Should I go with amending the soil...but that would only be the soil I ammend. The soil/ earth below the ammendment will still be clay and just push the water back up???
Anyone out there with experience on this would be greatly appreciated.





RE: Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
they frequently use the traditional rock/gravel drains to collect surface water to where they select (usually a pond near a green or along a fairway. I makes things stable in the long term and allows the grass to grow better and reduce maintenance.
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
One would think that redirecting the storm water would be a better solution than trying to change the soil properties.
RE: Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
Civil Development Group, LLC
Los Angeles Civil Engineering specializing in Hillside Grading
http://www.civildevelopmentgroup.com
RE: Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
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I suggest you focus on surface drainage as opposed to subsurface drainage. From my understanding of the site as you have described, the surface approach will work much better. It will also almost certainly be much less expensive. You can probably incorporate attractive landscape features with this work.
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tsgrue: site engineering, stormwater
management, landscape design, ecosystem
rehabilitation, mathematical simulation
http://hhwq.blogspot.com
RE: Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
I bought a 4" coiled perferated pipe with filter sock at Home Depot, it comes in about 25' coils. About every 15' I installed a little landscape drain, about 4" in diameter that connects to the coiled perf pipe. All of it is manufactured to work together.
I ran it out across the side yard, into the front yard and day lighted it at the sidewalk. Works like a charm.
I'd advise you hire the labor. After two weekends, I re discovered ditch digging is not my forte.
RE: Need proper french drain solution for soggy mostly clay soil yard
The first responder's recommendation is a good starting point.