French Drain Insights: Shellharbour Runoff Management Case Study

Addressing Water Ingress Challenges in Shellharbour

In Shellharbour, a homeowner encountered a critical and worsening issue with water ingress. Water from two adjacent properties situated on higher ground began to flow into their garden and infiltrate beneath the foundation of the house. This intrusion of water caused considerable damage to the flooring, promoted rising damp, and facilitated mould growth within the property, jeopardising recent renovations.

How Can You Identify Water Intrusion Issues?

The water ingress issue originated from both surface runoff and subsurface water flowing downhill from the back and side yards of neighbouring properties. Without an adequate drainage solution to intercept this water, it naturally migrated beneath the house.

Creating an Effective Drainage System

CS Plumbing designed and installed a gravity-fed French drain system aimed at capturing and redirecting water before it could affect the foundation of the home.

This project comprised several crucial components:

A French drain system meticulously designed to gather both surface and subsurface water from neighbouring properties, efficiently channeling it through gravity to a concrete pit.
A 100mm PVC pipe extending from the pit to the curb, equipped with strategically drilled holes to ensure optimal water discharge.
Three newly installed, larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, which replaced the original smaller versions, connected to new 100mm PVC piping leading to the curb.
A retaining wall system built along the boundary, utilising concrete sleepers and galvanised steel posts. Auger holes were drilled using an excavator to form a robust barrier that holds back the adjacent yard.
Efficient soil removal on-site was carried out with a dumper to ensure smooth management of the worksite.

What Effective Measures Can You Implement for Water Management?

The newly installed drainage system now effectively captures both surface and subsurface water at the property boundary, ensuring it is redirected away from the home. The homeowner has achieved a sustainable, low-maintenance solution that safeguards the foundation, flooring, and their investment in renovations.