We moved into this house in August 2022. Since then, we have repaired exterior stucco, added walls and wallpaper, double-pane windows on the east and south sides, blinds, curtains, and carpets. Now, in our fourth year at this address, we are planning to give the backyard a facelift. The birds won’t mind.

Prior to any drainage work, the yard flooded everywhere.

Aerial view looking west

Northwest

North

East

Southeast

Aerial view – east (low right), west (top left)

Northend of Backyard

2022 condition of the north side of the backyard prior to replacement of drainage pipes, additional drainage pipes and grates

Northwest entry and walkways

Addition of sand did not solve drainage problem

March 9, 2026: filled with sand, extended drainage pipe, and moved grate

Composite picture

Preliminary layout and usage

We are looking to create a permanent solution for the drainage problem. The two alternatives are extending the drainage system or installing a French drain with a catch basin. After that, additional soil is needed to level the ground. Next is the creation of walkways, beds, and turf, as proposed in the sketch above.

Slides

After heavy rainfall two days later

Low spots are clearly visible. The new grate position for the drainage is too high. An additional issue is that the generator is no longer level. Instead of adding to the drainage pipes, a better solution might be to install a French drain with a catch basin.

March 2026 (slide show)

Added drainage, May 2025

Relocated the catch basin that was too high, added four catch basins, connected them with pipes to a new sump pump located within the pool equipment enclosure, and connected from there to the existing drainage pipe toward the street. The test will be the next heavy rainfall.

2022 Flooding: Social Media Video

Before the drainage pipes on the north side of the yard were replaced and two drainage basins were added, the entire backyard flooded. Shown in this video are the north side of the yard and the downspouts near the yard entrance.

Eastside bed between pool and fence

In March, six Japanese privets were removed from the bed, but some of their roots remain in the ground. Since then, some ivy and more weeds have covered the bed. The fence may eventually be replaced. The following pictures show the bed’s length and how sunlight travels along it.