- French drain was def the right move—seen neighbors skip it and regret later.
- Usually skeptical about spending extra cash, but foundation repairs cost way more down the line.
- Plants can wait... yard will bounce back eventually, speaking from experience here.
- Good luck, storms suck but sounds like you're handling it smartly.
We had a similar issue a few years back—storm flooded half the yard, and I debated forever about installing a French drain. Ended up DIY-ing it to save cash, and while it worked out okay, it was way more labor-intensive than expected (my back still remembers...). Curious if anyone else has tried DIY drainage solutions or if hiring pros is really worth the extra cost in the long run?
I get why you'd DIY it to save cash, but honestly, sometimes DIY drainage can end up costing more in the long run. My neighbor went the DIY route, and it seemed fine at first, but after a couple heavy storms, he had to redo parts of it because the slope wasn't quite right. Ended up spending almost as much as hiring pros would've cost from the start.
On the other hand, I know some people who've had luck with simpler solutions like dry wells or rain gardens—less digging and fewer headaches overall. French drains can be tricky if you don't nail the slope and gravel layers exactly right. Did you consider any of those easier options before diving into the French drain project? Curious if something simpler might've saved your back some trouble...
I totally get the hesitation around DIY drainage projects—especially French drains. When I moved into my first home, I briefly considered installing one myself, but after researching slope calculations and gravel layering techniques, I realized it was more complex than I'd anticipated. Ended up going with a rain garden instead, which has held up surprisingly well through heavy rains. Did you find the French drain installation manageable overall, or were there unexpected challenges along the way?
I ended up installing a French drain myself a few years back, and honestly, it wasn't terrible but definitely had its moments. The digging part was straightforward enough, but getting the slope just right was trickier than I expected—had to redo one section twice because water kept pooling. Now it's working fine, but if I had to do it again...I'd probably hire someone. Curious about your rain garden though—did you plant specific types of plants to handle the heavy moisture, or just wing it?
