French Drain Solutions: Managing Runoff in Shellharbour

Resolving Water Ingress Challenges in Shellharbour

In Shellharbour, a homeowner encountered a serious and worsening problem with water ingress. Water from two higher-elevated neighbouring properties began to flow into their garden and infiltrate beneath the home's foundation. This intrusion led to extensive 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 originated from both surface runoff and subsurface water flowing downhill from the back and sides of adjacent 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 designed and installed a gravity-fed French drain system that effectively captures and redirects water before it can reach the foundation of the home.

This project involved several critical components:

A French drain system specifically constructed to gather both surface and subsurface water from neighbouring properties, efficiently guiding it through gravity to a concrete pit.
A 100mm PVC pipe extending from the pit to the curb, featuring strategically drilled holes in the curb to promote optimal water discharge.
Three newly installed, larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, replacing the original smaller versions, connected to new 100mm PVC piping leading to the curb.
A retaining wall system built along the boundary, using concrete sleepers and galvanised steel posts, with auger holes drilled using an excavator to create a robust barrier to retain the adjacent yard.
Efficient soil removal on-site, managed with a dumper to ensure smooth operation of the worksite.

What Actions Should You Implement for Effective Water Management?

The newly installed system now efficiently 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 solution that safeguards the foundation, flooring, and their investment in renovations.