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Backyard flooding issues
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StormChaser Top Forum Contributor19.4 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 1:37pm  
Backyard flooding issues
 
➡️ Long post warning ⬅️
 
I think we solved our backyard water issues!
 
After almost 7 years in our current home (which is our forever home) I think we solved our issues with almost flooding every time it rains. 🤦‍♀️
 
We bought our home in Trailwood in Sept. 2018. This house has never flooded, not even during Harvey. In fact, it didn't even come close to flooding during Harvey.
 
We moved in and very quickly realized we had a bad drainage issue in the backyard.
 
Here is my patio after the first time we almost flooded in May 2019. This is also the same day that the homes in Elm Grove flooded for the first as well.
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
After that, we came this close to flooding more times than I can count. (We actually got a bit of water in our laundry room once but the damage was minor)
 
Every time it rained, we found ourselves with push brooms at both back doors trying to keep the water out of our house!
 
This is what my yard would look like after every normal thunderstorm we'd get!
 
No major flood event, just rain!
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
Like I said, this happened over and over again -
 
We've been trouble shooting & trying to figure out a way to combat and fix this permanently.
 
First, we had the yard graded and we found out that our property is basically one big bowl. All sides flow towards us - behind us and both our side neighbors.
 
And the people behind us are a foot higher than us. The biggest problem is they have a pool, backyard kitchen & putting green and their yard full of TILE instead of grass. 🤦‍♀️ (Yes, I said tile)
 
The current owners didn't do this - but still. Ugh. So when we get rain (flooding rain or just typical showers) the water just flows straight off their yard and down towards us.
 
After the grading was done, we were told we were going to eventually flood if we didn't do something.
 
After lots of YouTube video and expert input, we started installing huge sump pumps in our backyard based on the grading analysis.
 
.....................................
 
➡️ SUMP PUMP #1 --
 
We actually installed this first pump 3 years ago. It's an Itty bitty thing I got off Amazon but it helped us tremendously.
 
I know for a fact that it kept us from flooding at least twice in 2020.
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
Here is the setup that dumps the water onto the driveway instead of my backyard.
 
Loading Image...
 
⚠️ Price: $150.00 (self installed)
 
.....................................
 
➡️ SUMP PUMP #2 --
 
We needed more than just the first little pump so we added a second pump behind our generator.
 
This time, we got a 1/2 ton in-ground basin, Iocated in the back corner of my yard (by the yard with the tile pool)
 
The pump routes excessive rain water, via a raised 4" tube that goes behind our garage, down along the side of the garage, and down the side of the house. (We had to do it all above ground because our gas lines run below it all)
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
The setup behind our garage is NOT pretty lol but thankfully no one can see it but us.
 
Loading Image...
 
⚠️ Price: $300.00 (self installed)
 
.....................................
 
The addition of pump number 2 made a huge difference -- but it STILL wasn't enough 🤦‍♀️😐
 
3 weeks ago, after taking on water close to my backdoors pyet AGAIN, I told my husband to break out the big guns, no matter the cost.
 
➡️ SUMP PUMP #3 --
 
Sump Pump number 3 is a 1 TON in-ground basin that he put about 5 feet from our back living room door.
 
I told him I didn't care what the hell it looked like but I think he did a REALLY good job!
 
Starting -
 
Loading Image...
 
Finished -
 
Loading Image...
 
The in ground basins we've used with each pump.
 
Loading Image...
 
He made perforated lids so water can freely go in but the yard debris stays out. Plus the pups can walk over it without issues. Us too.
 
Loading Image...
 
This area was previously an empty rock garden so its actually an improvement.
 
I think the end result looks pretty good! (Esp considering the second sump pump setup behind my garage is HIDEOUS)
 
Loading Image...

⚠️ Price: $500.00 (self installed)
 
For the pumps, we have the generator now so all 3 pumps are hooked up to that so they run whether we lose power or not.
 
.....................................
 
AND LASTLY - we redirected our back gutters to flow towards to the side yard instead of dumping water into the back yard. That amount of water being forced away from my backyard - and to the side yard - has made a huge difference.
 
.....................................
 
➡️🚨 After doing ALL that, we watched and waited for the rain this last week to see the results.
 
I think its safe to say we were finally successful!!! My patio stayed completely dry with every storm, which is unheard of! (It ALWAYS holds water)
 
The amount of water holding in my backyard, in general, is significantly less as well. My lawn doesn't look like an Olympic sized swimming pool. 🙃
 
It's been a huge PITA figuring this out over the last 7 years but its a huge relief knowing now that the issue is solved for good! 💙 Especially coming in to another hurricane season.
Replies:
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jrw2017 8.8 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 1:48pm  
Had a similar problem in North Woodland Hills years ago. There was just no way to get the water out of the back yard when it would really rain. Your solution is more robust than mine. I redirected the roof gutters to the sides and put in a big french drain and spillway down one side of the house and got rid of all the landscaping on the other side and lined what little channel I had with concrete to make for good flow. I wish I had thought of sump pumps! Might still own that house...
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CatalinaKitKat Top Forum Contributor3 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 2:00pm  
StormChaser :
I'm sorry to hear about your flooding issues. Hope that the pumps continue to help during hurricane season, and beyond. Looks like it was a good solution, and the info may help others dealing with this issue too.
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luv2eatsushi 19.3 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 2:08pm  
Hmmmm...never thought of the sump pump! Interesting
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Txbutterfly Top Forum Contributor15.4 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 2:46pm  
I had to trench along side my house and put to my drive where the old French drain was. We took on small amount of water in imelda due to the same issue. The backyard is basically a bowl.
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Wiseowl 9.1 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 2:48pm  
StormChaser :
Thanks for sharing these details. I'm sure others may benefit from your findings.
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msuz 17.9 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 2:57pm  
Thank you.
I've mentioned before that we had French Drains installed due to very similar problem. (pools on both sides, we're the low spot especially after years of dirt being washed away before we moved in). I think some of the lines might be mostly blocked again.
I've been thinking about sump pumps!
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Donnawisdom Top Forum Contributor7.4 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 3:37pm  
StormChaser :
This is why I thought you should definitely get a generator. Last thing you need is a flooded house.
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cbear Top Forum Contributor15.5 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 4:27pm  
Backyard flooding issues ➡️ Long post warning ⬅️ I think we solved our backyard water issues! After almost 7 years in our current home (which is our forever home) I think we solved our issues with almost flooding every time it rains. 🤦‍♀️ We bought our home in Trailwood in Sept. 2018. This house has never flooded, not even during Harvey. In fact, it didn't even come close to flooding during Harvey. We moved in and very quickly realized we had a bad drainage issue in the backyard. Here is my patio after the first time we almost flooded in May 2019. This is also the same day that the homes in Elm Grove flooded for the first as well. After that, we came this close to flooding more times than I can count. (We actually got a bit of water in our laundry room once but the damage was minor) Every time it rained, we found ourselves with push brooms at both back doors trying to keep the water out of our house! This is what my yard would look like after every normal thunderstorm we'd get! No major flood event, just rain! Like I said, this happened over and over again - We've been trouble shooting & trying to figure out a way to combat and fix this permanently. First, we had the yard graded and we found out that our property is basically one big bowl. All sides flow towards us - behind us and both our side neighbors. And the people behind us are a foot higher than us. The biggest problem is they have a pool, backyard kitchen & putting green and their yard full of TILE instead of grass. 🤦‍♀️ (Yes, I said tile) The current owners didn't do this - but still. Ugh. So when we get rain (flooding rain or just typical showers) the water just flows straight off their yard and down towards us. After the grading was done, we were told we were going to eventually flood if we didn't do something. After lots of YouTube video and expert input, we started installing huge sump pumps in our backyard based on the grading analysis. ..................................... ➡️ SUMP PUMP #1 -- We actually installed this first pump 3 years ago. It's an Itty bitty thing I got off Amazon but it helped us tremendously. I know for a fact that it kept us from flooding at least twice in 2020. Here is the setup that dumps the water onto the driveway instead of my backyard. ⚠️ Price: $150.00 (self installed) ..................................... ➡️ SUMP PUMP #2 -- We needed more than just the first little pump so we added a second pump behind our generator. This time, we got a 1/2 ton in-ground basin, Iocated in the back corner of my yard (by the yard with the tile pool) The pump routes excessive rain water, via a raised 4" tube that goes behind our garage, down along the side of the garage, and down the side of the house. (We had to do it all above ground because our gas lines run below it all) The setup behind our garage is NOT pretty lol but thankfully no one can see it but us. ⚠️ Price: $300.00 (self installed) ..................................... The addition of pump number 2 made a huge difference -- but it STILL wasn't enough 🤦‍♀️😐 3 weeks ago, after taking on water close to my backdoors pyet AGAIN, I told my husband to break out the big guns, no matter the cost. ➡️ SUMP PUMP #3 -- Sump Pump number 3 is a 1 TON in-ground basin that he put about 5 feet from our back living room door. I told him I didn't care what the hell it looked like but I think he did a REALLY good job! Starting - Finished - The in ground basins we've used with each pump. He made perforated lids so water can freely go in but the yard debris stays out. Plus the pups can walk over it without issues. Us too. This area was previously an empty rock garden so its actually an improvement. I think the end result looks pretty good! (Esp considering the second sump pump setup behind my garage is HIDEOUS) ⚠️ Price: $500.00 (self installed) For the pumps, we have the generator now so all 3 pumps are hooked up to that so they run whether we lose power or not. ..................................... AND LASTLY - we redirected our back gutters to flow towards to the side yard instead of dumping water into the back yard. That amount of water being forced away from my backyard - and to the side yard - has made a huge difference. ..................................... ➡️🚨 After doing ALL that, we watched and waited for the rain this last week to see the results. I think its safe to say we were finally successful!!! My patio stayed completely dry with every storm, which is unheard of! (It ALWAYS holds water) The amount of water holding in my backyard, in general, is significantly less as well. My lawn doesn't look like an Olympic sized swimming pool. 🙃 It's been a huge PITA figuring this out over the last 7 years but its a huge relief knowing now that the issue is solved for good! 💙 Especially coming in to another hurricane season.
 
StormChaser : Glad that you found a solution! Rising water is indeed....very stressful.
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SandyKnee Top Forum Contributor15.4 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 5:31pm  
StormChaser:
We have a slight flooding issue on our side yard as well, and I never thought of a sump pump either. Does the water initiate it to turn on? Or do you flip a switch? How does it start up? (I know nothing about sump pumps!) Looks like your DH did a great job!
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buffaloglenn 14.3 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 6:20pm  
Backyard flooding issues ➡️ Long post warning ⬅️ I think we solved our backyard water issues! After almost 7 years in our current home (which is our forever home) I think we solved our issues with almost flooding every time it rains. 🤦‍♀️ We bought our home in Trailwood in Sept. 2018. This house has never flooded, not even during Harvey. In fact, it didn't even come close to flooding during Harvey. We moved in and very quickly realized we had a bad drainage issue in the backyard. Here is my patio after the first time we almost flooded in May 2019. This is also the same day that the homes in Elm Grove flooded for the first as well. After that, we came this close to flooding more times than I can count. (We actually got a bit of water in our laundry room once but the damage was minor) Every time it rained, we found ourselves with push brooms at both back doors trying to keep the water out of our house! This is what my yard would look like after every normal thunderstorm we'd get! No major flood event, just rain! Like I said, this happened over and over again - We've been trouble shooting & trying to figure out a way to combat and fix this permanently. First, we had the yard graded and we found out that our property is basically one big bowl. All sides flow towards us - behind us and both our side neighbors. And the people behind us are a foot higher than us. The biggest problem is they have a pool, backyard kitchen & putting green and their yard full of TILE instead of grass. 🤦‍♀️ (Yes, I said tile) The current owners didn't do this - but still. Ugh. So when we get rain (flooding rain or just typical showers) the water just flows straight off their yard and down towards us. After the grading was done, we were told we were going to eventually flood if we didn't do something. After lots of YouTube video and expert input, we started installing huge sump pumps in our backyard based on the grading analysis. ..................................... ➡️ SUMP PUMP #1 -- We actually installed this first pump 3 years ago. It's an Itty bitty thing I got off Amazon but it helped us tremendously. I know for a fact that it kept us from flooding at least twice in 2020. Here is the setup that dumps the water onto the driveway instead of my backyard. ⚠️ Price: $150.00 (self installed) ..................................... ➡️ SUMP PUMP #2 -- We needed more than just the first little pump so we added a second pump behind our generator. This time, we got a 1/2 ton in-ground basin, Iocated in the back corner of my yard (by the yard with the tile pool) The pump routes excessive rain water, via a raised 4" tube that goes behind our garage, down along the side of the garage, and down the side of the house. (We had to do it all above ground because our gas lines run below it all) The setup behind our garage is NOT pretty lol but thankfully no one can see it but us. ⚠️ Price: $300.00 (self installed) ..................................... The addition of pump number 2 made a huge difference -- but it STILL wasn't enough 🤦‍♀️😐 3 weeks ago, after taking on water close to my backdoors pyet AGAIN, I told my husband to break out the big guns, no matter the cost. ➡️ SUMP PUMP #3 -- Sump Pump number 3 is a 1 TON in-ground basin that he put about 5 feet from our back living room door. I told him I didn't care what the hell it looked like but I think he did a REALLY good job! Starting - Finished - The in ground basins we've used with each pump. He made perforated lids so water can freely go in but the yard debris stays out. Plus the pups can walk over it without issues. Us too. This area was previously an empty rock garden so its actually an improvement. I think the end result looks pretty good! (Esp considering the second sump pump setup behind my garage is HIDEOUS) ⚠️ Price: $500.00 (self installed) For the pumps, we have the generator now so all 3 pumps are hooked up to that so they run whether we lose power or not. ..................................... AND LASTLY - we redirected our back gutters to flow towards to the side yard instead of dumping water into the back yard. That amount of water being forced away from my backyard - and to the side yard - has made a huge difference. ..................................... ➡️🚨 After doing ALL that, we watched and waited for the rain this last week to see the results. I think its safe to say we were finally successful!!! My patio stayed completely dry with every storm, which is unheard of! (It ALWAYS holds water) The amount of water holding in my backyard, in general, is significantly less as well. My lawn doesn't look like an Olympic sized swimming pool. 🙃 It's been a huge PITA figuring this out over the last 7 years but its a huge relief knowing now that the issue is solved for good! 💙 Especially coming in to another hurricane season.
 
StormChaser : Congrats and great work. I love the setup. Emoticon
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mccringleberry 1.7 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 6:34pm  
StormChaser :
Thank you for sharing all the information. I need this done in my yard. I need help, do you know someone that can install for me?
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TownHubAdmin Top Forum Contributor4.7 yrs
~ 1 year, 2 mos ago   Jul 15, '25 7:14pm  
Backyard flooding issues
 
➡️ Long post warning ⬅️
 
I think we solved our backyard water issues!
 
After almost 7 years in our current home (which is our forever home) I think we solved our issues with almost flooding every time it rains. ?‍♀️
 
We bought our home in Trailwood in Sept. 2018. This house has never flooded, not even during Harvey. In fact, it didn't even come close to flooding during Harvey.
 
We moved in and very quickly realized we had a bad drainage issue in the backyard.
 
Here is my patio after the first time we almost flooded in May 2019. This is also the same day that the homes in Elm Grove flooded for the first as well.
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
After that, we came this close to flooding more times than I can count. (We actually got a bit of water in our laundry room once but the damage was minor)
 
Every time it rained, we found ourselves with push brooms at both back doors trying to keep the water out of our house!
 
This is what my yard would look like after every normal thunderstorm we'd get!
 
No major flood event, just rain!
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
Like I said, this happened over and over again -
 
We've been trouble shooting & trying to figure out a way to combat and fix this permanently.
 
First, we had the yard graded and we found out that our property is basically one big bowl. All sides flow towards us - behind us and both our side neighbors.
 
And the people behind us are a foot higher than us. The biggest problem is they have a pool, backyard kitchen & putting green and their yard full of TILE instead of grass. ?‍♀️ (Yes, I said tile)
 
The current owners didn't do this - but still. Ugh. So when we get rain (flooding rain or just typical showers) the water just flows straight off their yard and down towards us.
 
After the grading was done, we were told we were going to eventually flood if we didn't do something.
 
After lots of YouTube video and expert input, we started installing huge sump pumps in our backyard based on the grading analysis.
 
.....................................
 
➡️ SUMP PUMP #1 --
 
We actually installed this first pump 3 years ago. It's an Itty bitty thing I got off Amazon but it helped us tremendously.
 
I know for a fact that it kept us from flooding at least twice in 2020.
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
Here is the setup that dumps the water onto the driveway instead of my backyard.
 
Loading Image...
 
⚠️ Price: $150.00 (self installed)
 
.....................................
 
➡️ SUMP PUMP #2 --
 
We needed more than just the first little pump so we added a second pump behind our generator.
 
This time, we got a 1/2 ton in-ground basin, Iocated in the back corner of my yard (by the yard with the tile pool)
 
The pump routes excessive rain water, via a raised 4" tube that goes behind our garage, down along the side of the garage, and down the side of the house. (We had to do it all above ground because our gas lines run below it all)
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
Loading Image...
 
The setup behind our garage is NOT pretty lol but thankfully no one can see it but us.
 
Loading Image...
 
⚠️ Price: $300.00 (self installed)
 
.....................................
 
The addition of pump number 2 made a huge difference -- but it STILL wasn't enough ?‍♀️?
 
3 weeks ago, after taking on water close to my backdoors pyet AGAIN, I told my husband to break out the big guns, no matter the cost.
 
➡️ SUMP PUMP #3 --
 
Sump Pump number 3 is a 1 TON in-ground basin that he put about 5 feet from our back living room door.
 
I told him I didn't care what the hell it looked like but I think he did a REALLY good job!
 
Starting -
 
Loading Image...
 
Finished -
 
Loading Image...
 
The in ground basins we've used with each pump.
 
Loading Image...
 
He made perforated lids so water can freely go in but the yard debris stays out. Plus the pups can walk over it without issues. Us too.
 
Loading Image...
 
This area was previously an empty rock garden so its actually an improvement.
 
I think the end result looks pretty good! (Esp considering the second sump pump setup behind my garage is HIDEOUS)
 
Loading Image...

⚠️ Price: $500.00 (self installed)
 
For the pumps, we have the generator now so all 3 pumps are hooked up to that so they run whether we lose power or not.
 
.....................................
 
AND LASTLY - we redirected our back gutters to flow towards to the side yard instead of dumping water into the back yard. That amount of water being forced away from my backyard - and to the side yard - has made a huge difference.
 
.....................................
 
➡️? After doing ALL that, we watched and waited for the rain this last week to see the results.
 
I think its safe to say we were finally successful!!! My patio stayed completely dry with every storm, which is unheard of! (It ALWAYS holds water)
 
The amount of water holding in my backyard, in general, is significantly less as well. My lawn doesn't look like an Olympic sized swimming pool. ?
 
It's been a huge PITA figuring this out over the last 7 years but its a huge relief knowing now that the issue is solved for good! ? Especially coming in to another hurricane season.
 
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