French Drain Case Study: Managing Runoff in Shellharbour

Addressing Water Ingress Challenges in Shellharbour

In Shellharbour, a homeowner encountered a serious and worsening problem with water ingress. Water from two adjacent properties, positioned at a higher elevation, began to flow into their garden and infiltrate beneath the house’s foundation. This intrusion caused extensive damage to the flooring, promoted rising damp, and led to mould growth within the property, jeopardising recent renovations.

How Can You Identify Signs of Water Intrusion?

The issue arose from both surface runoff and subsurface water cascading downhill from the back and side yards of neighbouring properties. Absent an effective drainage solution to intercept this water, it inevitably flowed beneath the house.

Creating a Comprehensive Drainage System

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

This project comprised several key components:

A French drain system meticulously engineered to gather both surface and subsurface water from adjacent 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 larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, replacing the original smaller versions, linked to new 100mm PVC piping leading to the curb.
A retaining wall system constructed along the boundary, using concrete sleepers and galvanised steel posts, with auger holes drilled by an excavator to establish a solid barrier against the adjacent yard.
Efficient soil removal on-site executed with a dumper to maintain streamlined management of the workspace.

What Measures Can You Implement for Effective Water Management?

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