Question
Hi Floyd,

We moved into a new home in September and had some extensive landscaping done which required moving in and moving around a lot of earth.  This work was finished in late September and we waited for grass to grow.  While it did sprout, there remains a large area where the ground remains very, very soggy.  We had that area re-graded and it is still very very soggy.  Our builder told us that eventually the ground will settle down and it will not be so soggy.  Our landscaper doesn't seem to know what else to suggest beyond the re-grading he did already.  Can you help?  Will things eventually settle down (and how long is "eventually") or do we likely need a french drain or other drainage system in that area?  

We live in Hockessin Delaware, northern DE, 19707

Answer
Good Afternoon Jackie:
I have done some research on your area and find that there are numerous natural springs in and about Hockessin Delaware. Because you have about exhausted the remedies to your problem with no results I have concluded that you must have what is called a "seep" which is a form of a natural spring.

A spring is a natural flow of water from the ground at a single point within a restricted area; when a spring has no visible current, it is called a seep. Springs may emerge at different points on dry land or in the beds of streams, ponds, or lakes.

Grouped according to the nature of the water-conducting passages, springs are of three types: (1) seepage, in which the water seeps out from sand and gravel; (2) tubular, or those formed by tubular passages in glacial drift or easily soluble rocks; and (3) fissure, in which the water issues along bedding, joints, faults, or cleavage planes.

Volume of flow of any given spring may vary with the season and amount of rainfall. Seepage springs often dry up in periods of drought or little rainfall. Nevertheless, some springs have a fairly constant and even large volume of flow and may serve as sources of water supply.

I would suggest that you contact your county Cooperative Extension to see if they might have information, or tell you how to find the information, about identifying natural springs in your area.

If you verify that there is a seep in your property it will be very difficult to control. A French drain will not stop it but only redirect the flow if there is a flow. It is quite possible that the grading and other soil disturbances that has been done has actually started the spring action.

I hope I have helped.
Floyd McMahon