Hey everyone! I'm planning to install a French drain at my place, and my neighbor already has one that runs between our properties and dumps into the sewer at the front. We're really close and they consider us family, so I'm wondering if it would be okay to connect my drain to theirs instead of installing a whole new drain that runs parallel all the way to the front. I've read conflicting advice online about this, and while Google says it's a bad idea, I'm not really seeing the downsides. Would love your thoughts!
3 Answers
It's possible to connect to your neighbor's drain, but there are some things to consider. First, make sure their existing drain can handle the additional water flow without overflowing. You definitely don't want to create a mess in your yard or theirs! Plus, it's a good idea to ask for their permission in writing, covering maintenance responsibilities just in case. You might also want to check the location of their drain; make sure it’s actually on the property line, or you could run into issues later on.
If your neighbor is okay with it, I say go for it! Just keep in mind that if they sell their house down the line, new owners may not appreciate the connection. But honestly, if they’ve got wealth, it’s likely they won't move anytime soon. Just be sure everything is documented.
Yeah, my neighbors and I are doing something similar too. We’re combining our downspouts to avoid flooding and it's going to be much better once it's all leveled and gravel is laid!
One thing to clarify is whether your neighbor's drain is storm drain or sewer. If it's for storm water, it's usually not allowed to dump into a sewer system—typically, that could lead to some legal issues. So make sure you clear that up before proceeding!
Great point! And taking a look at the flow during heavy rain will give you a better idea of how well it works!