[dfiddler]

I have 2 pooling low spots in my sloping backyard. I was going to dig trenches down 12”, lay gravel, and install 2 little drains to 4” solid PVC , follow the slope of the yard to daylight then recover with soil and seed it over. My neighbor had a similar problem but didn’t drain his. He just dug up larger swaths of his yard and laid gravel 4”-6” deep and replaced the dirt and seeded. Says he “fixed” it= no more pooling. Soil is clay mostly (Raleigh NC)
and drains poorly. I know my plan will work, but I’ll still have low spots. Will my neighbors way work long term? He did it about 2 years ago. Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

I know my plan will work, but I’ll still have low spots. Will my neighbors way work long term? He did it about 2 years ago.

Ayuh,...... Absolutely,... Good surface drainage, beats, hands down, subterranean drainage,......

'n it should never plug up, or need servincin',...... hands free,.....

 

[Bondo]

Any tips on judging how many cu yards of gravel I’ll need?

Ayuh,..... Can't see, donno,.....

The right guy on a dozer, 'n you won't need to add anything,.....
Just regrade the native soil to string-line straight drainage,.....

 

[Bondo]

No dozer. Me and a pickaxe and a shovel and a wagon and my 48 year old back and legs and glass shoulder and girlish hands. I’ll just err on the side of too much.

Ayuh,..... Please post in yer thread, rather than private messages,......
Thank you,.....

It can be done by hand,......
A String-line will be the most important tool, doin' it that way,....

Peel off any obvious highs, 'n dump 'em into the lows,.....

Better yer 48 year old back, than my 65 year old back, but then again, I have access to a dozer too,.....

 

[dfiddler]

Thanks Bondo. I appreciate it. I have 2 string levels leftover from hanging gutters Will that work?

 

[Bondo]

I have 2 string levels leftover from hanging gutters Will that work?

Ayuh,..... I suppose so,.... But ya don't want Level, ya need pitch,... water flows Downhill,.....
The string-line is set a foot above finish grade, to guide yer eye when straightenin' the highs, 'n lows,.....

Many times, the string-line can be set by eye,.....

Dependin' on the size of the area, a string-line every 4' or 6' can guide yer carvin' the grade to pitch properly,.....

Just remember to keep yer string-lines Tight, 'n water flows Downhill,......