In a perfect world, there wouldn’t be any drainage problems, yet in reality, the soil doesn’t always allow rainwater to drain away and this can leave a pool of water, or worse – thick mud. Of course, the water will eventually evaporate and the area will dry out, but only until the next bout of rain, when the problem returns.
Find The Lowest Point
This is usually the wettest part of a boggy area and you need to dig down and remove the clay, however deep that might be. You can find an underground drainage gully for sale from a local supplier and installing this will ensure excess water runs away from your property. You will need a lot of gravel to fill in the hollow once the gully is in place, which can be delivered to the site by your local builder’s merchant.
Removing The Waste
The clay that you remove could be used in another part of the garden. If not, you could enquire with a local waste management company regarding the removal of clay and earth. You can get away with digging a channel and inserting the drainage pipe, covering it with gravel, if the clay is everywhere. Just make sure that the drainage pipes slope away from the property, allowing water to find its own level.
Using A Mini-Digger
This is probably the best way to dig out the ground. You can hire a mini-digger from a local plant hire company; otherwise, it is spades and shovels. You might have to dig a long trench in order to keep the target area dry, /check out the YouTube videos on how to lay drainage pipes for a clearer explanation.
Sealing The Joints
When connecting the drainage pipes together, you can add some silicone as a sealant, or not, as the case may be. If the pipes are sloping away, the majority of the water will be carried down the trench and drain into the ground naturally.
Ordering Gravel
It is easy enough to calculate how much gravel you will need and your local builder’s merchant will deliver the aggregate. In the event your trench runs across a grassed area, you can put some top soil over the gravel and relay the turf, which should grow fine. It is better to over-order gravel rather than the other way around and you can always find a use for leftovers.
Dry Weekend
This is the time to carry out the work, when the ground is dry, which is much easier. With all the materials onsite, you can start by marking out the trench that will host the drainage pipes and begin excavating. You may have to use stones or small rocks to level the pipes, making sure the natural slope is in the direction you want the water to go.
Laying drainage pipes isn’t exactly rocket science and by using the natural terrain, you are creating a channel for excess water to drain away.
