In a beautiful neighborhood around northern Liberty, MO, our client faced a challenging issue in their large backyard. The problem began when a neighbor to the east (at a higher elevation) installed a new retaining wall and pool. While the wall was designed to protect their property, it unintentionally redirected significant water runoff directly onto our client’s yard.
The excess water made the yard soggy and began to pool, creating unsightly grey and black patches and even threatening the health of a newly-installed tree. Our client was understandably concerned, not only about the appearance of their yard, but also about potential long-term damage to the health of their backyard.
When we started to dig the initial trench, you could immediately see how much water was truly in the lawn! During this install, it hadn’t rained in days, showing clear evidence this problem was caused by water flowing from the neighbor’s retaining wall system.
To tackle this issue, we proposed and installed a comprehensive drainage solution:
1) French Drain with Perforated Pipe
We installed a French drain with a perforated pipe to collect the excess water in the ground. This system efficiently captures that water with perforated pipe (pipe with holes in it), to allow that water to be moved to a lower place somewhere else using gravity. We started by marking and then excavating a trench about 18″ deep for the pipe to sit.
Next, we laid down the 4-ounce non-woven geotextile fabric filter to surround the pipe and gravel, which will ensure only water makes it into our French Drain. This fabric is very important and acts as a filter so the system doesn’t become clogged.
Then, it was time to install the pipe using taped connections and to fill the hole with gravel (except for the last few inches). It’s standard practice to cover the gravel with the fabric, and use stakes to ensure they stay put before filling the last few inches with dirt. The last step, which was the tricky part in this project, was to backfill the dirt (which was mostly mud at this point) in a way that mimicked the original lawn grade.
2) 3 Yard Drains
During installation of the French Drain, we also installed 3 yard drains. Strategically placed, these drains catch water above the ground at multiple points, ensuring that no excess water being drained from the neighbor’s property remains on the surface, further protecting the lawn and tree, and reducing that unwanted soggy feeling.
Yard Drains specifically catch water which would otherwise pool or flow on the ground, and are very important during heavy rainfall. They are also sometimes called a catch basin, because they allow maintenance of the system by collecting and trapping sediment which might clog the system.
3) Pop-Up Emitter
The collected water is then transported downhill through a solid pipe system, safely channeling it underground and away from the property. We chose a solid pipe between the French drain and the discharge spot so that the water could be contained, and wouldn’t have a chance to leak into other areas of the yard.
Finally, we installed a pop-up emitter at the end of the solid corrugated pipe. This gives the pipe the availability to dump excess water in the area, and will close when not in use, preventing mosquitoes and leaving a nicer visual look. Here is the final job, seeded with plenty of rye grass and covered with straw:
Thanks to our experienced team and well-planned approach, this project was completed in just one day. The backyard is now free from standing water, and our client can once again enjoy their outdoor space without worry.
We install French drains, buried downspouts, and other permanent, long-term drainage solutions around the Liberty, MO area. Our expertly installed drainage systems not only resolve immediate issues, but also protect your property from future water-related problems. If you want us to come out, take a look, and collaboration on a solution, don’t hesitate.