Question
LookingDown
Hi. I have attempted to attached two photos which depict a drainage problem we have on the hill behind our house. This page seems to permit only one attachment - I'd like to send the second as a follow-up, if you would permit me. Our house is at the top of the hill. We have been told that if the problem is not fixed, we will eventually be endangering the ground under our property. LookingDown.jpg shows the view from our back yard, looking down the hill towards a road. You can see the black drain pipe in front. The water draining from it is causing the erosion. LookingUp.jpg (will send as attchment in follow-up) shows the same area, looking up from the road below us. The ground has only weeds growing which we cut down every May-June for fire prevention. We are near Burbank, CA.
Both photos show the erosion caused by the short black drain pipe. We want to fill the erosion and extend the pipe down as far as possible.
As a short-term solution to the immediate erosion problem, can we use sand bags to fill the gap? Or do we need to put dirt instead? Or both? Sandbags has been suggested by one person but I'd like to see if an expert would agree.
To lengthen the pipe, do we need to fit pipe segments together using some kind of glue, or just fit them together without glue? And how would we anchor it down near the bottom of the hill?
LookingDown.jpg shows a large jagged concrete piece along the fence where a stream can form (running right to left) during heavy rains. It has done this. To divert the stream, we have been told to use big rocks (which we have) to fill in under that large concrete piece. I am mentioning this just to give you info about the bottom in case it's important for you to know. Also, we would like (in future) to start putting down some plants and terracing, but these steps will have to come later. For now, we just want to solve the erosion problem. Thanks for any suggestions. We know it's holiday time, so you may take your time with your reply.
AnswerIt would be better to use gravel than sandbags. Line the runoff area with some large size gravel, all the way to the property line. This will help, but it is not a solution. You may want to have a proper drainage system installed by a local contractor who is familiar with your area, and the local codes.
