I just moved into a house around new years. Anytime it would rain, my backyard would flood from this pipe that’s draining into my neighbors yard. I made the town aware of the issues and sent them videos of previous rain storms but nothing happened to fix the problem. A couple weeks ago , I recorded this rainstorm we had and sent them this video and that caused them to come next day and start cleaning out the area. Town says they have to figure out how to fix this long term. In the meantime they put stones by the pipe to slow it down. Thankfully it hasn’t been raining as much anymore so I can’t figure out if it’s working or not.
Looking for advice on how this can be fixed so I can see if they are actually going to fix the issue or just putting a bandaid on it so I stop complaining.
Some background info: the pipe is in my neighbors yard (older woman in her 80’s) and she’s been dealing with this for 10+ years. Shes been complaining for so long she told me they suggested she just take the town to court (idk if this is true). Since i moved here, the public works department has had 2 overhauls (including the directors). They got a solid team there now and are finally taking action to fix this, I just want to know what the best solution would be .
by gmukicks
50 Comments
I have no way of helping but congrats on your riverfront property!
lol
That’s a crazy amount of water.. Nothing you could do there aside from literally digging your own creek or swale to contain it.
There is no “fix” for this issue so much as better ways to “manage” the problem. Trench and stones and direct the water to an area where it’s okay. That will at least minimize the spread and, potentially, the damage/erosion to your property.
Build a dry creek bed for drainage, a rather sizable one.
Dig a creek dude. Not sure if this is a year round issue but looks like it could be pretty cool
Small boat?
French drain should fix it
On the parcel of land that you bought it there a recorded storm easement or a drainage way easement? It may be intentionally designed this way, not that it’s correct but it could be serving the purpose it was intended for however that’s a significant amount of water which would lead me to question why there isn’t some form of well defined ditch or swale across your back lot to convey that water across your lot without flooding.
Where does the water go when it leaves your property?
Use it for electricity
Did you try to seal that fence with flex tape?
Replace the fence with a dam, generate your own electricity, profit???
You should consult with a real estate attorney that handles public easements and utility work. This is much more than a water management problem.
A French drain should do /s
Check your gutters
Two maybe three sandbags and a sump pump should do it!
That’s a feature.
You’re “Gonna need a bigger boat!”
Taller fence maybe
i would make a stone lined swale so the water has somewhere to go without ripping up your lawn!
Installing a French drain should fix this
There’s 100 different ways to fix this, but you or the town needs to hire a professional engineer to design a long-term solution. This isn’t something a typical landscaper should be touching imo.
Congrats on your new moat.
You’ll need a few beavers & give them time to manage the water…?
Underground spring? Contact your local government. That is out of your hands. And likely illegal to mess with
Damn.
Move
Call the town, get someone out to assess what’s happening. Maybe the town needs to install some drains.
Wow I thought this was a joke for the person who posted about their sprinklers leaking!
This is insane. I can offer zero help. I’m sorry
Man you even have birds there. Probably a small and easy fix. Did somebody mention french drain or do I get full score?
Seriously though talk with an expert or your municipality or whoever is in charge where you live!
French drain
Move
that pipe should be extended through your yard, to empty to whatever low point or ditch is at the edge of your property.
Actually people are correct; you best bet is to key the town know you want to work with them to fix the issue, but you are time boxing them and if they don’t start doing more a lawyer will do your talking for you. Your taxes pay for things like basic infrastructure to prevent flooding and erosion.
Did a big ass trench.
Turn off the main.
The town either needs to extend that pipe that is currently dumping into your neighbor’s yard or they need to dig a creek that will go through your property.
If all that water is coming from that pipe, someone put that pipe there for a reason. The city may or may not know where it comes from and if it was permitted, but you and your neighbor should find out who benefits from the pipe discharging there. Tell the city you’re going to fill it with concrete and see how they respond, or actually fill it with concrete and see who uphill has flooding. The pipe owner should pay to extend it through your yard to a better termination.
Definitely some legal issues here a title search for drainage easement might answer some questions. In the state of Washington, it’s illegal to redirect water off your property onto your neighbors property so that pipe would be illegal if not permitted by an easement.
Since the water is mostly coming from that one spot and going downhill, I would think that the solution would be to install a large underground conduit to contain and direct the overflows. They could even capture that water into the city storm drain system.
Post an update when you have one!
I would put a pipe plug in it if it was me. I don’t know if this is legal or not, but it would probably get the city to fix it.
You an buy hydrostatic test plugs up to around 8″. Larger inflatable ones can also be bought but they get pricey.
They’re going to have to dig a trench through your property and bury a large pipe to direct that water to some sort of drainage system or area.
You can never over-water your lawn in this heat.
Large dry riverbed with nice looking rocks. It looks like you live in a flood plain?
Nice observation deck with a scenic overlook!
Call Nestle
Have someone install a riverbed?
Celebrate having a waterfall
Tie into the pipe discharge with another pipe and run a new buried pipe across your property.
The original owner KNEW about this and didn’t disclose
Not sure about the RE rules there but that’s a major “FYI” missed and it would’ve been a DEAL BREAKER