The back of our house faces a large hilly ridge and we get a lot of run off directly to the back of our house. Could I hire someone to dig a ditch to route the water around our house in a better way than it currently flows? I hate how it goes under the deck and washes dirt out. Just looking for ideas/help/suggestions.

It's usually not this bad just during heavy rainstorms it gets like this but since our lot is sloped it will run off quickly after the rain is over.

by b_evans06

50 Comments

  1. I had a similar problem, installed a buried sump pump and pumped water to the street. Inlets to pump included drains in various points in the yard as well as all gutters in rear of home.

  2. simontempher1

    I would suggest once you resolve this water issues have your foundation inspected. Don’t mention the water.

  3. Background_Finger773

    I’ve seen dry river beds look excellent. I will try to explain what I’m talking about, but basically, you dig a little creek and then fill it with decorative rock, then use the excavated soil and downspouts to send all the water towards the creek and flow it down and away. You could also line it with some water-hungry plants and other decorations! If you want to get excellent results, increase the slope, line it with PVC tarps (like pool and pond liners), and add some drainage pipes with drilled holes towards the end. Lining it will be essential to prevent weed growth. From the top, it will look like a flat zigzag of rock, but underneath that will be drastically sloping ground.

    https://preview.redd.it/8irq69y1hfxe1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=feee0115920c9331ddf7e3591d03d8a90660867d

    This should be a good example, but customize it to make it your own!

  4. socalquestioner

    A drainage ditch or buried culverts, and maybe a pond downstream?

  5. NotSomeonesUsername

    Home builder didn’t grade your lot correctly. Happens all the time in Texas.

  6. Ok-Needleworker-419

    You can try talking to your county engineer first. I’m in the city and a neighbor had an issue with runoff so the city came out and dug a ditch for him. Probably won’t have as much luck in a rural area but it’s worth talking to them, they might be able to help you get started or has suggestions at no cost.

  7. Unlucky_Fee5712

    Plant a bunch of weeping willow trees to start

  8. Warm_Original_5512

    A skid steer and a lot of dirt. I mean a whole lot of dirt.

  9. pootheloo1234

    Send it my way, it’s dryer than shit out here

  10. Impossible_Tap_1852

    I’d start by tipping the house a little to the left and see if that helps, then adjust accordingly.

  11. PrimeBrisky

    Damn… that’s a lot of water. Someone fucked up placing a house here.

  12. succulentkitten

    Build your house a little higher next time.

  13. Cotton101btw

    Drainage problem? You sir/maam have a flooding problem, maybe built a mote

  14. 20FastCar20

    Get the property surveyed. They will out in stakes and tell you how to adjust the grade. Then execute and call them back and once OK you will have a certified drainage plan and will be OK for a 100 year storm. This tis the cheap and right solution. best to you!

  15. Not having your house lower than the surrounding land. Get a bobcat in.

  16. The eroding dirt hill in pic 2 suggests

    https://preview.redd.it/kl67nrevrgxe1.jpeg?width=2796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=111d8ca116074b5f637dfb139a450dfad28a7c75

    the back fence is higher ground and it slopes down and to the right. The two big trees (maples?) look like they have surface roots that block water from beyond the fence.

    Can you capture the water by digging your dry (!) creek bed by the red leaf maple (back left) and bring it on the front side of the maple roots and exit the fence as shown? That may keep water out of the back yard. Building up the soil with a fence berm on the right side might help keep water out as well

  17. dirtygrade

    Looks like you don’t have enough elevation to over cone the pending surrounding your property unless there is a lower point on another side, I don’t see what you can do

  18. State_Dear

    CIVIL ENGINEER only…

    you have a problem that spans miles, ,. stacking some rocks etc will do nothing

    You can see how exstencive the water issue is in your pictures.. as far as the eye can see..

    Are you going to lift your entire yard and home up about 5 feet?

  19. Eastern-Sector7173

    Install drainage to curb do you have storm drains in street

  20. Alarming_Assistant21

    I’d love to run barefoot through this yard

  21. The process is called Land Grading. Grade your backyard so it’s sloped down at a slight angle away from the house. Then dig a ditch to drain into the woods. Water will settle away from house.

  22. You’ll need to do some type of major grading to your property so water flows away from your home. Many people dig trenches around their property, that might be the easiest solution. Maybe digging a small pond, or creek etc may be another option.

  23. AccomplishedBrain309

    Burms and trenches are your friends!

  24. Breakpoint

    A few ditches on the sides of your yard diverting water away

    consult a professional

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