Question
The back end of the garage is built into the garden. I am having problems with flooding at the rear of the garage.
I have dug out what seems to be 5 tonnes of soil, and dug a channel a metre wide all the way around the back.
Question is what do I do now. This is my theory. Can you give me some help.
1. Dig a foot wide and foot deep channel below floor level of garage.
2. put in either perforated irrigation pipe or channel drainage around garage with a slight dip so water flows into existing drain.
3.Apply waterproofing to garage wall (approximately 1.5m high).
4.Backfill with 1.5" gravel
Can you tell me if this might work.
I have spent many an hour digging out and don't want it to all be in vain.
                Regards George  

Answer
Sorry about the delay, been really busy with the cold weather here in central CA.  

You need a permanent solution to the problem.  If it were me, I would dig the trench like you mentioned, along the dripline of the garage, about 12-14" deep.  Put about 2" of clean gravel in the bottom of the trench, and then lay 3 or 4" drain pipe (polyethylene is best), and fill up the rest of the trench with gravel.  At some point you will want to direct the water away from the garage into a storm drain or drainage area, so you will need a lateral line coming off the "catch" line to take the water away.  This line should be solid pipe, and does not need to be in gravel.