BLOG Solving Erosion and Drainage Issues: A Case Study Nov 13, 2024

In this case, we are addressing a homeowner's concern with significant erosion and drainage issues around their property. The erosion is most severe near the base of the house, and it's starting to affect the structural integrity of the curtain wall. After inspecting the area, we've identified several contributing factors and developed a comprehensive plan to tackle the problem.

The Core Issue: Lack of Grass and Erosion

The primary challenge is that grass isn't growing in certain areas of the yard. Without grass, the soil is left exposed, making it more susceptible to erosion. There are two key reasons for the lack of grass growth:

1. **No Sunlight**: The area receives little to no sunlight, which makes it nearly impossible for grass to thrive.

2. **Water Flow**: Water is constantly flowing through this section, washing away any seed that might take hold.

While grass cannot grow in this specific location, there are a few alternative solutions to minimize further erosion.

### Erosion Control Solutions

There are a few potential options for addressing the erosion:

- **Mulching the Area**: The homeowner can mulch the eroded area to cover the exposed soil. This won't stop erosion entirely but will help reduce the impact.

- **Grading Adjustments**: We are also considering grading options, which would involve bringing in soil to reshape the slope and redirect water flow away from critical areas around the home.

Our main goal is to manage water flow, specifically around the base of the home, to prevent further erosion and potential structural damage.

### The Drainage Solution: Extending the Downspouts

One of the major contributing factors to the erosion is the water coming from the home’s downspouts. To resolve this, our plan involves:

- **Extending the Downspouts**: We’ll connect the downspouts on the side of the house to a single underground drainage line. This line will run past the affected area, toward the trees, and terminate with a pop-up emitter near a storm drain. This will divert water away from the home, reducing the erosion around the foundation.

- **Raising the Grade**: To further mitigate erosion, we will bring in additional soil to raise the grade near the base of the house. This will help redirect water and prevent it from pooling near the foundation.

### Additional Considerations

There are a few obstacles we need to navigate during this project:

- **Underground Utilities**: There are several important utility lines running through the area, including TNT wires, irrigation systems, Duke Energy meters, and a gas meter. We’ll need to work carefully to avoid damaging these during the project.

- **Broken Downspout**: One of the downspouts is currently broken, which is contributing to the erosion problem. Water is collecting at the top of the yard and flowing downhill, worsening the erosion along the side of the home. Fixing and extending this downspout is crucial for managing water flow and protecting the property.

### Next Steps

Our plan is to:

1. **Extend the downspouts** and redirect the water away from the home.

2. **Raise the grade** by adding soil to the affected areas.

3. **Install a pop-up emitter** to control the release of water into a designated drainage area.

4. **Be mindful of utilities** and work carefully around the TNT wires, irrigation systems, and utility meters.

By addressing the water management issue and improving the soil grade, we can help protect the homeowner's property from further erosion and potential structural damage.