French Drain Solutions: Managing Runoff in Shellharbour

Resolving Water Ingress Challenges in Shellharbour

A homeowner in Shellharbour encountered a significant and worsening problem with water ingress. Water from two adjacent properties, situated at a higher elevation, began to flow into their garden and infiltrate beneath the foundation of their home. This water intrusion caused extensive damage to the flooring, promoted rising damp, and encouraged mould growth within the property, jeopardising the recent renovations.

How Can You Identify Water Intrusion?

The issue arose from both surface runoff and subsurface water migrating downhill from the back and side yards of neighbouring properties. Without an effective drainage solution to intercept this water, it inevitably made its way beneath the house.

Creating an Effective Drainage System

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

The project encompassed several crucial 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, featuring strategically placed holes in the curb to ensure optimal water discharge.
• Three new, larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, replacing the original smaller versions, connected to new 100mm PVC piping leading to the curb.
• A retaining wall system constructed along the boundary, employing concrete sleepers and galvanised steel posts, with auger holes drilled using an excavator to create a robust barrier to hold back the adjacent yard.
• Efficient soil removal on-site carried out with a dumper to facilitate streamlined management of the worksite.

What Measures Can You Implement for Effective 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 achieved a durable, low-maintenance resolution that safeguards the foundation, flooring, and their investment in renovations.

Shellharbour French Drain Case Study: Practical Solutions for Managing Neighbouring Runoff and Subsurface Water