Surface Water Not Draing
Stuart Mitchell
Posts: 2
Our New build house is about 3 years old and the turf was removed and the back garden slabbed with raised beds around edge and 4 gravel beds in center which we assumed would help any surface water drain away. However when it rains surface water covers the lower end of the paths and gravel beds. We have dug a trench about 1 foot and 2 foot and this has just filled with water and is not draining away. The patio area is about 3 m and level and then the garden has a gradual slope downward to a back path between the houses behind. Obviously the water collecting below the surface is not draining away. I sunk a rod 2m down in the center of the two lower gravel beds and this has just filled with water. It has not rained here except a light shower over the last week but there is no sign of the water in the trench / holes draining away. The builder does not want to know as its not within 3m of the house. The trench hole is lower than the back communal path so there is nowhere to drain the water away. All plants in the bottom gravel beds died but the two gravel beds near the house are ok and plants thriving. I have had to garden companies come round and both are reluctant to help. We are disabled hence the low maintenance design. The raised beds at the very bottom seem to be ok. Any advice would be appreciated as I am unable to dig anymore due to my health. Should the beds be dug out more and compacted clay removed and why is the water not drainng away. Thank you for any advice
Posts
Hi,
I've heard a little bit of this before and my garden is very similar but by the sounds of it, not as bad. I have a lot of surface water on my lawn with clay not far down and makes the whole garden boggy.
Someone mentioned to me about getting a company to come round, dig out the garden to a depth of 2 or 3 foot, then fill it with the proper materials, hardcore, fine hardcore, top soil, lawn etc. Or you can have a drainage system put into the garden under the surface but both were a little too pricey for me to consider.
May be worth asking a company about it?
Sorry if that's no help to you.
Tom.
My son had a problem last year in his garden because of a cracked water main.
Bellway Homes response today "We can confirm that Bellway Homes do not install drainage as standard. We understand your frustration but regretfully advise for the reasons stated previously that our position must remain unchanged"
Just not sure what to do next
Problem is at the moment you don't know the cause - just the compacted soil, or something under there, or something more worrying like a broken water pipe. Perhaps ask NHBC for advice?