Concrete, channel drain, grading, french drain. Comprehensive drainage solutions.

This was a comprehensive drainage solution for a stubborn flooded crawl and back yard. We completely transformed this back yard while integrating the drainage solutions.
Part 2 of this job delivering gravel
• Installing gravel for ...
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[@xenadu02]

UNICORN ALERT! Sensible smart neighbor spotted in the wild.

[@GCFD]

Hahah very rare sighting

[@Chief_5]

🦄

[@goddess_bree]

A good neighbor will recognize how much this helps both of them in the long term. So best to work together.

[@GCFD]

I agree and it's so easy to get the job done while we are there working. It's a lot cheaper to complete at that time too.

[@cammeatoes3244]

holy cow that is a huge job.

[@GCFD]

Yea for sure! It turned out very nicely though and there is no water holding in the back yard anymore.

[@katisugarbaker7349]

It’s hard to find such well-edited, intelligently presented (with such helpful details that are often left out) videos on these kind of topics. What a godsend this channel is.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Kati! I will try to keep making good videos of my projects!

[@mattde]

I just finished a home project installing two new gulleys to catch waste water from a new extension sink and rainwater from the roof. All being taken away in the main sewer line. All thanks to what I've learnt from your videos!! Building inspector praised me on the quality of setup! Thanks Shawn!

[@GCFD]

Wow! Thank you very much! I'm happy you have found the videos useful! - Shawn

[@natemoore7494]

Why no rebar in the concrete? It worried me when you were running the excavator over that green concrete!

[@GCFD]

We don't use rebar in this part of NC. I'm not sure why but we rarely see it when demoing old driveways. And yes, it had been several days after the pour before we drove over the new stuff!

[@kencramer1697]

@@GCFD That was something I noticed as well. I worked for a concrete construction company here in North Texas many years ago just after I got out of high school. I had asked one day why there were no basements. I spent most of my child hood in Colorado and every house had a basement. My boss explained that here in North Texas our clay soils can expand and contract as much as 14 inches in a single year. Most basements would get crushed from the pressure or blow out when the soil support is gone. The rebar in our driveways and roads it to help with those soil movements. I have no idea how the soil behaves in NC, but I would guess that you don't have near the expansion and contraction making the addition of rebar for a driveway not necessary.

[@peterg.8245]

Could be fiber reinforced? Maybe they dumped a bag of of those fiberglass matchsticks in the mix?

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

@@peterg.8245 If they're using the fibers it's more like 1 bag per cubic yard of concrete, not 1 bag per truck...

[@dylantrinder1571]

Wow. That was a huge project and I’m really pleased that it came off successfully and the homeowners were happy. Well done Shawn and thanks for sharing.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Dylan! I hope you enjoyed the video. - Shawn

[@piranhabadass1]

This is 1 of your best video's showing your abilities to tackle a major issue! Great Job!

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@molassesflash]

Only thing is I wouldve took tree down before doing the driveway with how close to the driveway it was

[@GCFD]

Hindsight is always 50/50! We widened the driveway twice during the demo so it wasn't supposed to be an issue until we got closer to it.

[@molassesflash]

@@GCFD Im sure It wont be a problem just makes it so you have to be that much more careful when taking it down not too damage it is all other than that phenomenal transformation of the entire property!

[@Horna87]

I have never understood why ppl build houses with cellars/foundation without proper drainage. It shoule be a drain system just beneath The ens of foundation for proper drainage. In sweden no insurance or anything Will be valid IF not proper drainage is done. Alot of houses with flooded cellars outside sweden.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@HmongGuitarPlayer]

I would of sold the house it would’ve been cheaper.

[@GCFD]

Not in this market! He's got a great location there!

[@larryehrlich57]

Please hold your phone horizontal when video recording. Why? Because then your video will be recorded in the "Widescreen" mode instead of the "Tall and Shiny" mode as seen in this video. Please give it a try so you can see the difference. Blue Sky's.

[@DeekerJones]

I love the fact that you and your guys do such comprehensive work. It doesn't seem to matter what the customer wants, whether it is a simple drain to a new driveway and trees removed, you guys get it done!

[@GCFD]

Yep! We have fun, too!

[@emilyericker]

OBSESSED with this channel!!!

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Thanks for watching! - Shawn

[@EZCyclone]

Totally agree, today was my first day off in a couple of weeks, funny enough because of the bad rain we were getting. This channel came up out of the blue an I'm on hour 11 watching videos. lol. It's funny, because I will be installing a French drain in the fall. Yet all I did was THINK about it and here these videos popped up.

[@gvannaman]

Another great job Sean. Hope you do another follow up after the sod and cleanup. It’s going to look great I’m sure.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@HurricaneHusky]

love seeing this long video, plus how beautiful tis job turned out, great job shawn!

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for another long video today!

[@cheskydivision]

think the owner should have made a decision about the tree sooner

[@GCFD]

It was a nice red maple and we talked about it back and forth. It made it through the ice storm but had to go.

[@scottparker8425]

Shawn - really enjoy your videos. I have a lot of drainage issues on our 3.5 acres and have learned a lot of valuable tips and techniques. Greetings from Ohio!

[@GCFD]

Awesome Scott! I'm glad you've found my content useful and entertaining! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@thomasvnl]

That's a ridiculous amount of concrete. If you're trying to flood your neighbors, this is the way to go.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@gojumpintothelake]

Big deposit construction Might show up landscape Argue contractors Wreck your house painters

[@GCFD]

👍

[@ghiagoo]

My new favorite channel. Watched a few vids today

[@GCFD]

Thank you! thanks for watching - Shawn

[@Chief_5]

If only builders would check the slope first!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@paulbuckler5573]

What would be the cost of that job approx. 125,000

[@GCFD]

👍

[@VeryVocalViking]

Man, I could just watch these videos all day.

[@d.d.5633]

You’d get huge fines in my city for removing that mature tree and for cutting the curb.

[@GCFD]

Interesting! thanks for sharing!

[@sku32956]

when one step is done wrong with concrete it will crack, settle, tamp the gravel base right, rebar not too high or low. Pour on a hot day it will cure too fast etc... Proper joints in the concrete make it crack where you want it. Now on to the water keep if from impacting the concrete in a negative way .As I look where is the rebar ,gravel base ?As look more 5 inches or less you can get away with no rebar .

[@GCFD]

Thank you Billy! It can be tricky to get these things correct and impossible to fake the results!

[@tuomasholo]

This really has everything! Drains, grading, concrete, and a tree falling! The editing and music really makes the video interesting.

[@abhizylo]

This one was really good... Cheers what would be the total cost of it end to end...? To put things into perspective...

[@smallengine]

Yeah he should say that for all the jobs

[@eddiemortontapman7252]

Do you really want your competition to know what you are charging? Or someone to become a competitor in your market when he has taken years to develop his niche market ?

[@GCFD]

I focus on the problem, solution, and outcomes over the price because there are lots of variables that go into each job. You can't just compare one job to another in terms of price because material prices change and each job has differences.

[@eddiemortontapman7252]

So true , every job is custom work . The you tube watchers think you can tell all your business but price is between you and your customers.

[@johnhamilton9229]

I truly enjoyed your footage, the demonstration of flow during a rainy day is always my favorite part. Seeing the efforts meeting your goal is so satisfying. I’m curious as to what type of sod you used? Thanks for the you tube training.

[@larryehrlich57]

Please see if you could get a video tour of the concrete recycling plant for your viewers. I've always wondered how they recycle concrete. Do they recycle concrete that has rebar in it???

[@markwilliford4567]

Ain't the free market system AWESOME!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@BoringisBeautiful]

What could I expect a job like that to cost? Wish you were near me in KY

[@jacktorse2145]

I'd love to know too! Just that huge amount of concrete is probably 20-25 grand.

[@BoringisBeautiful]

Oh my

[@adamkolacki3344]

I’d say 40 yards of concrete at $125/yard + $100/hr labor + materials. I’d venture a guess of 50K out the door.

[@ZachsTreeService]

@@adamkolacki3344 It was 2 trucks and there 10 yards a load. Id venture to say that whole project was 15-20k.

[@GCFD]

Zach, I was working on another job so I missed the third truck. It was about 33 yards of concrete. I didn't bother mentioning it but I should have.

[@tbarbuto2345]

How do you stop water from draining into the control joints and under the slab when they inevitably crack?

[@GCFD]

The water has a much easier path to flow across the concrete so there isn't much that will make its way into the joints.

[@jimwilliamson7598]

Where pipe is sticking up into concrete it will crack the concrete every time.

[@GCFD]

How long do you think it will take? i have jobs like this that are going on eight years old with no cracking. Should I be worried?

[@chooisc5297]

Cool video game background music😋

[@GCFD]

👍

[@chivasporvida1997]

Great job as usual Gate City..always enjoy the videos. You guys made my decision easier to go with solid 6 in pipe all around the house. My only regret is I used the green Lowe’s pipe instead of the ones you guys used but after a year so far so good..

[@GCFD]

The green pipe is SDR 35. It's good stuff!

[@jimybobjim]

Almost 10k subs!

[@GCFD]

I know! 👍

[@MindAmaze22]

this guy looks like the guy from autoshine cars

[@GCFD]

👍

[@boaz2001]

Your plywood then into the trench is genius! How great it is to have good neighbors! This is lost on people today. This is all about me and my family but working together as in neighbor helping neighbor seems to be lost.

[@rickb3078]

Always nice to see the concrete crew in action. They do really tough work.

[@GCFD]

I've been working with them here lately. Got some good concrete drainage videos if I can ever get the after-footage.

[@georgesedeno7891]

Didn't see any rebar in the concrete driveway???

[@GCFD]

No rebar. We very rarely see rebar in driveways here in this part of NC. We have extremely stable subsoils and no one uses rebar. It's quite a bummer when we do find rebar on a driveway demo.

[@DennisMarwood]

No rebar required?

[@davidchristensen6908]

That’s an incredible amount of water of the yard. That yard and driveway looks amazing

[@GCFD]

Thank you! The homeowner is very happy that the system is allowing the water to escape the yard now.

[@jamesbh101]

Why no fabric around the French drain or pipe?

[@GCFD]

Fabric clogs with fines and kills the flow. By maintaining the flow the fines get rinsed through and out of the system instead of clogging behind a fabric.

[@jeremycreech4757]

For the algorithm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@edwardgarrison2377]

I really think the way you do french drains is completely wrong. No fabric and not enough perforations around the pipe equals a failed french drain system facts.

[@stevenbrimhall8958]

Wh don’t you crush that more into rip-rap

[@GCFD]

I don't understand the question?

[@awilkins3453]

That's a smart neighbour getting involved at the same time! Also, how come it's so common in these videos that the houses have guttering that dumps the water onto the ground around the house, is it just the houses have been built to minimum spec or is that the standard?

[@GCFD]

Keep in mind that my customers have the worse drainage problems, so you're seeing a biased assortment of houses. Most houses have gutters that drain at the foundation and most have no problems with it.

[@leolldankology]

With your biology background you should also offer landscaping as a finish service.

[@Arty_C]

You’re a dead ringer of Walter Skinner on The X Files😊 Love your channel!

[@watchthe1369]

The time lapse of destroying the concrete is magical, the jackhammer seems to materialize concrete as it pummels the mere sand. Awesome!

[@brendamayfuller8803]

It looks like the neighbor has a lot of surface water flowing across their property too. You might be back there soon doing some work for them. After all, they can see how good your work is, and were willing to help out with some drainage on their property already.

[@GCFD]

Yes for sure. The uphill neighbor has clogged corrugated pipes that erupt water against the foundation during a rain. My customer is going to talk to them about getting that fixed. Obviously it would help both out.

[@johnlim123]

but what if you want the subsurface water along the way to also discharged?? example: you got 200 feet of front yard full of water want to put in a French drain all 200 feet and then 100 discharge into the woods back yard.

[@GCFD]

We have clay subsoils here so not much for subsurface waters. But you could do your FD and perforated pipe the whole way.

[@joepacheco7979]

One thing with fast motion; you can see who takes more breaks. No names...

[@oviebeltran]

Loved the show. But name the project. Don just say back at this job. Call them by street or type of project seems more fun that way

[@aptpupil]

How many inches of concrete are you putting on top of the PVC?

[@timothyeads7083]

Why do you not cover your French drains? I always cover with dirt for grass areas

[@joudatfd]

I remember this video, it was muddy mess most of the time. Turned out great tho. How does it look two years later?

[@jimwilliamson7598]

Why would you back fill the last 50feet and use mud to bed the pipes??

[@jimanderson4495]

Another quality Gate City job. I’m surprised you didn’t use the Harley rake. Thanks Shawn.

[@GCFD]

We have a little bit more to do over there with delivering some gravel and will use the mini skid and 48" harley rake as a final (finally!).

[@joeshmoe7789]

Great job! Any reason a french drain and not a few surface drains? With all the roof water going to the curb, once the ground at the french drain area dried out, the ground would dry quicker after each storm because it won't have so much water to absorb. Is the channel drain in the big patio large enough? I guess even if it pools up some, it'll drain fast enough.

[@GCFD]

The problem is water doesn't flow across flat grass. So if you place a catch basin, there might still be water and mud a few inches away from it. There's no way for the water to get into the catch basin. By using a FD which is set deeper than the grass, the water can enter the gravel all along the FD and it drains much much better. Catch basins are really for point water sources or when surrounded by concrete.

[@mathusvaiaoga9787]

Massive job!!! I like how you used fall to get that water out instead of a pump. My only question. Arent you concerned about dirt getting into your gravel blocking up your French drain?

[@GCFD]

The gravel is the filter. And dirt will get held back by the several inches of gravel and the fines will rinse through and out of the pipe.

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

At the very end of the video, all I could hear in my head was Mr. Miyagi saying "Sod On, Sod Off"...

[@GCFD]

Haha

[@captaindigi82]

Pouring over a pipe above ground is a huge no no boys. In time it could induce a crack in the concrete and crack the pipe

[@tracyrain4941]

What an amazing video showcasing some, but not all, of GCFD skills. Such a great sense of teamwork all around to get all the work done right first time. Brilliant video! You're building up quite the library for potential customers to watch. You thought about playlists which specify the different aspects of what you do? Just an idea...😊

[@GCFD]

That's a great idea Tracy! I'm just trying to keep things moving right now. Let me know how you like tonight's video (eh, probably late tonight...).

[@SteveE293]

Hey Shawn is Harvey doing well? haven’t seen him in your videos for a while

[@weekendhomeprojects]

@9:55 - I don't have gas, so I'm not sure, but do/can you cut the gas off from the street just in case you it the line?

[@GCFD]

I don't know how to cut the gas off or where the valves are located. I know if you hit a line you can clamp it with vicegrips if it's plastic or smash it closed it it's copper.

[@pneumatic00]

I know it rains a lot in NC but you certainly seem to have more than your fair share of drainage issues in your area. Job security, I suppose. By the way, do you need to get any sort of permits for this work; especially re-doing the curb/curb-cut?

[@GCFD]

We don't need anything for working on existing structures. I've called the city many many times and they never care about coring into anything. I have pretty much stopped calling...

[@calvingreene90]

Several salvaged cedar 4x4 fence posts could be used to keep the dump truck from sinking when parked on soft surfaces. They don't weigh that much either.

[@GCFD]

Great tip!

[@randsollie7921]

Huge job turned out amazing. Could you cover the French Drain with an artificial turf? There are plenty of high quality turfs on the market these days. It might even help keep the rock clean. IDK. Love your work.

[@GCFD]

Yes artificial turf would be a great idea to cover the FD! Thanks!

[@joecraft4409]

I only have one ?. Why not run the gutter in the back into the channel drain? Wouldn’t it save a couple sections if pipe and trenching for the pipe ? (Even if it took a wider channel drain)

[@GCFD]

I didn't want to overburden the channel drain by adding gutter water that was already in a pipe. So we bypassed the channel drain and stared it from a blind end. 👍

[@gardeningwithlucas5114]

Lol the mask he is wearing i have

[@GCFD]

👍

[@The_Trucker_Gamer]

They should've had you put a French drain between hill and driveway. I would have anyway.

[@GCFD]

We thought about it but decided to address the water at the top of the hill instead of the middle. We cut in a swale to the street at the top. Anything that runs off the hill rolls into the channel drain. 👍

[@timgarner6768]

Beautifully explained, but wondering why concrete. It just adds to the runoff.

[@GCFD]

Exactly! Runoff. Instead of hanging water in the back yard with nowhere to go. The concrete is the collection system here because we have so much non-point water and very little fall.

[@edcannon6392]

What size hole do you put in the schedule 40 pice for the french drain?

[@dynodon331]

Watched several of your videos. You may know about drains but your concrete work leaves much to be desired. Wide long drive with no gravel underlayment? Really? No wire or fiberglass reinforcing? Really? Crack city coming up.Trowel work sloppy and uneven. Really? Concrete around drain at curb appears to have been filled in and finished with fingers? Really? For clarification, this comment includes several of your videos, not just this one. Attention to detail is really important. One other thing. Walking and standing in inches of water while plugging in extension cords. REALLY? That is diffidently not the right message for a contractor to give. Sorry for the brutal honesty. I know, I know- I'm going to hades. For those who feel all reviews must be pure adulation- flame away...

[@GCFD]

Hi Don - You don't have experience with subsoils like ours, do you? Reinforcement is not needed with impermeable clay subsoils. It is extremely stable, plus we don't have bentonite or a frost line.

[@gman4802]

I think the owner should have opted for a short concrete wall along the side of the drive. i would be surprised if the sod alone holds the dirt back in a heavy rain. That's how it looks from where i'm sitting could be wrong.

[@GCFD]

Check out my video on delivering gravel for new building to see how well it's holding up. 👍

[@wigenite]

I'm starting to look at doing a project very very similar to this! wonder if you would mind sending me some info on what to expect something like this takes to do or other info I could use?

[@GCFD]

Send me an email at foundationdrainage at gmail.

[@pneumatic00]

Would you say that this backyard is right on the edge of wanting a retaining wall to hold the slope where you've expanded the patio out from the house?

[@GCFD]

Retaining walls are very very expensive and will fail if not installed correctly. With so much water coming through there it would be extra burden on a wall so I think there are more considerations than slope when thinking about a wall. We gave it a smooth profile but it is pretty steep.

[@adamkolacki3344]

@@GCFD thanks Shawn for this explanation, as I was wondering about a retaining wall also.

[@southpineshooligan]

That kind of neighbour deserves a good neighbour discount Great work as usual, what a big job! Jobs like this are very satisfying

[@DavidGarcia-re9qh]

I'm wondering how much money they paid... A lot I guess

[@TomSpencerNaturePhotography]

how do you quote the job to account for set backs and delays do to weather? does that screw up your other jobs schedule? great work

[@GCFD]

It's difficult for sure with bad weather. Having to make extra trips can get costly when equipment and people are involved.

[@jamiefultz5937]

Couldn't u just run a gravel walk way into the French drain area from the front of the house with decreasing stone in the middle to accent it all

[@GCFD]

You could for sure.

[@coenfilm]

Another fascinating video. And all that water that is being sent to the gutter. You are giving people with water issues the knowledge of what to demand from someone doing work like this. I too was looking for rebar in the pour as they use rebar in California. It is probably in the code. Cheers!

[@GCFD]

Thanks coen! Yea, no one uses rebar around here. Every so often we find it when demoing concrete and it's a pain!

[@firstnamesurname1743]

Another larger, tricky job and looks terrific. Huge amount of water being brought out of the yard area, looking at the out-pipe onto the street! Great video.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@ovidiuciuparu6421]

That home owner should made a small retaining wall near the grass with a french drain behind it so the water is not coming on the concrete. Also that concrete shape is hideous. But... if the owner wants it you can’t argue with them.. good job!

[@GCFD]

We talked about it but this is a good solution for the water. I like the way the concrete turned out. Custom.

[@jimwilliamson7598]

You would think there would be a storm sewer on the street in such a wet, rainy area. There surely would be where I live. I guess you have to deal with what you have.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@ortydoginohio6723]

Driving on new concrete 🤮

[@GCFD]

We give it around 5 days to cure up nicely.

[@djuanbenjamin9149]

How do they recycle concrete?

[@GCFD]

They pulverize it into Crusher Run which a great road base or concrete base.

[@andymathias1463]

after about 30 ads finally made it through the video.... Nice work, I know this took a long time to finish for the client but it was worth the wait.

[@GCFD]

Thanks for watching Andy! I'm glad you enjoyed it! - shawn

[@saltygreek3870]

What kind of concrete driveway is that without any type of rebar or wire ? Ever heardof cracking?

[@GCFD]

We have extremely stable clay here in NC and we very rarely see rebar used around here. The control joints allow for controlled cracking.

[@rmjones15]

What gravel do you use for your french drains?

[@Vaseemm]

No gravel base or rebar under the concrete especially at the driveway?!?!

[@GCFD]

We very rarely see rebar in this part of NC. In fact, its a huge pain when we do a driveway demo and find rebar in it. It's almost unheard of around here because we have no ice heaving and very stable subsoils.

[@crystalBall9287]

Hi there! Just stumbled across your channel and this work is amazing and made such a difference with the water. I am replacing a rotted out retaining wall along the driveway and also have a little bit of water seeping into my basement. You've definitely shown me that I need to be more critical with my drainage under that wall. I can get that water directed away from my house and down to the street. Luckily my house is on top of the hill so I have of lot a fall to work with

[@GCFD]

👍 Gotta love having fall to work with!

[@eddiemortontapman7252]

Looks like you are in the soils business too ? Two videos in two days great !

[@GCFD]

Eddie I've got a bunch more I'm trying to get up. The editing process takes forever!

[@eddiemortontapman7252]

My customers sometimes ask what I did on Sunday because the weather was so nice and they are surprised when I say that I was paying bills and sending out invoices . It’s a lot of difference between writing checks and cashing checks that a worker doesn’t realize when they get off they are off .

[@Cam-gb1cu]

Using smooth pipe is also better because there is less water turbulence which means less resistance so ultimately more water will flow through the same or smaller size pipe than that crappy corrugated stuff

[@GCFD]

Yes! It takes energy to create turbulence and that energy comes from the flowing water (so it slows the water down, like you said). 👍

[@jd512k]

Great project! Thanks for sharing it with us and I’m sure the customer was extremely happy!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@youngdazzz]

What do you do with all those loads of dirt and busted concrete?

[@themize]

Great work Shawn n Team! Another successful drainage solution!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Andrew! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@adambrown3918]

This was absolutely sensational! Fantastic job! Thank you for the video. :)

[@GCFD]

Thank you Adam! Thanks for watching and commenting! - Shawn

[@clayman1000x]

Why wouldn't you put a french drain along the cement to keep water off the cement instead of crossing it to the channel drain

[@GCFD]

We definitely could have done that. We tried to address the water at the top with the swale to the street so we would have less water coming from the bank.

[@faeezf]

The solution to patio, is concrete sloping the correct way.