I'm dealing with some issues in my yard since my neighbors' runoff flows into my space when it rains. I'm considering digging a shallow trench along the side of my house to direct that water away towards the street. I'm specifically looking for a thin membrane that I can place underground and cover with pebbles to help create this drainage channel, but I can't seem to find what that's called. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
You're definitely looking for a French drain. They work well for redirecting water. Just make sure you have a slope leading away to help drainage. The usual setup involves a lined trench with landscape fabric, rocks, and a perforated pipe. Try to maintain about a 1" drop for every 10' of drain length to ensure it works the way you want it.
It sounds like you need a French drain! I had a similar problem with water pooling in my yard. For mine, I dug a trench and added layers of pebbles and larger stones on top while making sure there was enough space for the water to flow. It turned out looking like a dry streambed, and it helped prevent any flooding. You might want to do something similar without using a membrane if you want a simpler approach.
Pond liner is likely what you're after for the material underneath! But don't forget that the overall solution entails planning a French drain, which uses a few extra materials to manage water effectively. You might also consider swales to help absorb water and prevent runoff, which could be a low-maintenance solution that benefits your yard in the long run.
Did you notice any erosion issues with that setup?