Trying to keep my DREAM House from flooding

Farmhouse Drainage and Yard Restoration

Jake tackles drainage and utility work at his British Columbia farmhouse before reseeding the yard. Rain had turned the backyard into a muddy lake, and he also needed a separate trench to relocate the fiber connection after realizing he had backfilled the earlier trench without installing conduit.

Drainage Work

Jake dug a channel for a surface drain and connected it to 4-inch PVC pipe leading toward the existing drainage outlet. He chose not to install a catch basin because it would have lowered the outlet too far. As a trade-off, the pipe may need more frequent flushing.

With little elevation difference available, he aimed for a gradual slope of about ⅛ inch per foot. He adjusted the route around an existing well-power conduit and tested the drain with water. Although some water initially pooled near the outlet, the setup helped keep the backyard from becoming a swamp after rain.

Fiber Conduit

Jake dug a second trench, taking care to avoid buried utility lines, and installed PVC conduit for the internet service provider to use when relocating the fiber cable. He used a reducer bushing to connect different conduit sizes and left the connection accessible for the provider.

Restoring the Yard

After backfilling and leveling the trenches, Jake spread topsoil, fertilizer, and grass seed. A clay-like layer and a malfunctioning Harley rake made grading difficult, so he reworked the soil and adjusted the surface.

Rain showed that the new drainage was working, though some cleanup and finishing work remained. Jake hoped the grass would take.

Notable Details

• Locations and stores: Farmhouse in British Columbia; Home Depot
• Materials: Channel drain, 4-inch PVC pipe, and PVC conduit
• People: Jake and Andrew
• Sponsorship: Anker SOLIX S5000 portable power station