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| Structural Plan | DRAINAGE
Coordinating the drainage needs and grading.
You need to pay close attention in this area as the success of many things will depend on proper drainage.
- Protecting the house is one of the first concerns and definitely not one to forget.
- Plants for the most part have the need for good drainage and do not like to be under water on an on going basis.
Plants will suffocate due to a lack of oxygen unless that is their habitat. You can often create raised beds that with proper additives will help.
- Low-lying backyards that have neighboring hills draining into this area will need to use some form of a removal system.
- Retaining walls will need in most cases to have drainage systems placed behind the wall and fed out away from the area.
There are many types of drainage systems used.
- A simple and decorative way to remove the water is to dig a trench following the slope of the land and make a dry creek bed that in heavy rains will move the water downhill and out of the area. It could be done out in the garden area or used up next to a path, drive etc.., where you would prefer to re-direct the water.
- Using the grading plan, the area or slopes can often times be shaped so the water is directed to where you would like it without the need for other elaborate systems.
- Using collection/grate boxes in low points of the grade and moving the water to other locations through solid pipe also works well.
You could do trenches excavated to certain depth x widths based on our needs that we then fill with perforated pipe, drain rock, sand, etc., that can also be moved out of the area.
- Digging a large hole as a dry well, filling with drain rock and directing the water to this area may also work, depending on soil types.
- Building retention ponds that are then piped out of the area or are used as decorative features may also work.
The existing and future site elevations will play an important part in how to solve the drainage needs. Predominate soil type and the type of conditioning you plan will also be a consideration. Thus, you may be able to use the grading plan or a builder's level to determine your needs.
- It is well worth the price to have a competent professional look at this area initially as it could save you much heartache and thousands of dollars.
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