French Drain Case Study: Managing Runoff in Shellharbour

Addressing Water Ingress Challenges in Shellharbour

In Shellharbour, one homeowner encountered a significant and worsening issue with water ingress. Water originating from two elevated neighbouring properties began to flow into their garden and infiltrated beneath the foundation of their home. This unwanted water intrusion led to considerable damage to the flooring, promoted rising damp, and encouraged mould growth within the property, jeopardising recent renovations.

How Can You Identify Signs of Water Intrusion?

The issue arose due to both surface runoff and subsurface water flowing downhill from the back and side yards of adjacent properties. Without an effective drainage solution to intercept this water, it inevitably travelled 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 reach the foundation of the property.

This project incorporated several essential elements:

A French drain system specifically designed to collect both surface and subsurface water from neighbouring properties, efficiently directing 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 new, larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, replacing the original smaller versions, which are 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, with auger holes drilled using an excavator to establish a solid barrier to hold back the adjacent yard.
Efficient soil removal on-site executed with a dumper to facilitate streamlined management of the worksite.

What Effective Measures Can You Implement for Water Management?

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