Addressing Severe Water Ingress Issues
A homeowner in Shellharbour faced a significant challenge with water ingress that was progressively worsening. Water from two adjacent properties, both elevated compared to the homeowner's block, was flowing into the yard and seeping under the slab. This situation resulted in damaged new flooring, rising damp, and the emergence of mould within the home, jeopardising recent renovations.
Identifying the Root Cause of Water Issues
The primary sources of the issue were both surface runoff and subsurface water migrating downhill from the back and side yards of neighbouring properties. Without an adequate drainage system to intercept this water, it had no option but to flow underneath the house.
Implementing an Effective Drainage Solution
CS Plumbing developed and implemented a gravity-fed French drain system designed to intercept and redirect water before it could reach the slab.
The project included the following tasks:
- A French drain system constructed to capture both surface and subsurface water from neighbouring boundaries, effectively diverting it via gravity to a concrete pit.
- A 100mm PVC pipe installed from the pit to the kerb, featuring neatly drilled holes in the kerb for effective water discharge.
- Replacement of the two smaller original downpipes with three new, larger-diameter Colorbond metal downpipes, connected to new 100mm PVC pipework leading to the kerb.
- Construction of a retaining wall system along the boundary, utilising concrete sleepers and galvanised steel posts, with auger holes drilled by an excavator to physically hold back water from the neighbouring yard.
- On-site soil removal conducted using a dumper to manage the excavation process.
Results Achieved: A Durable Solution
The drainage system now successfully intercepts both surface and subsurface water at the boundary and channels it away from the property entirely. The homeowner benefits from a long-term, low-maintenance solution that safeguards the structural integrity of their slab, protects their flooring, and preserves their investment in renovations.
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