Digging out and Clearing a buried drainage basin

[@bigmike1289]

Not really sure where I'm at in life, but I am really excited for a new video about drainage.

[@bucklelanefarm]

@@jnimitzch4738 There might be something wrong with us 🤪

[@GCFD]

Sounds like you're in a great place Mike!

[@Pabl0Eskim0]

Same for me but I'm glad to say I've had a dry basement ever since the obsession began.

[@GMan-yv8cb]

@@jnimitzch4738 You are NOT alone!!! 😆 😅 😂 🤣

[@CARyan08]

Yes, agree. I'm in GA and had a small erosion problem in the back yard. Sat back there a couple times and said to myself, what would Gate City guys do. Did some work back there last weekend, we had a torrential rain and watch the area during. Huge difference, still need to make some tweaks. Have learned a ton from Gate City videos.

[@regalroyal1137]

I Really Enjoyed Watching Your KZbin Channel.. Very Educational and Calming To Watch Your Videos. Very On Hand In Your Work...

[@GCFD]

Thank you

[@lloydrmc]

I just knew Sean would get that last (biggest) stump pulled out. You are a real artist with finish grading. No wonder your customers are so happy. Everything you and your crew do is top notch.

[@GCFD]

We try to leave things how we would like to leave our own property. Plus filming it is some pretty high pressure! lol

[@lloydrmc]

LOL@@GCFD I've been otherwise occupied lately, and I'm looking forward to catching up on your latest videos.

[@1992djg]

It never looks man-made always looks like it was naturally there

[@jimalcott760]

It’s great that you go back when its raining…. Great job…👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jim.

[@Slugbunny]

It's a pleasure to see the right machines and tools do good work and make a difference. 👍🏻

[@robertsalido1232]

You know, the best thing about watching your process of construction, is that you think each level of your system, until it's iron tight. Leaving just the simple mechanic's of drainage and water re-direction. I hope your client's understand the convenience of your thought process. This is probably why most contractors who also do this type of work have so many failures. Great Work as always!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Robert!

[@diggerphelps1]

Every-time I see folks buying the corrugated piping at the big box stores, I wince. Halfway on my piping downspout project and already see 80% improvement. Thanks for the videos, very helpful! Going out outside during rainstorms to appreciate my work.........:)

[@GCFD]

Awesome!

[@jackhume4532]

Hi Shawn, that swale that you created on this customers property, is certainly doing its job and you and your team have done another cracking good job and what I also like is that you go back in the pouring rain to check on your work and to show us (subscribers) that your work is FIRST RATE and it also looks good too, and until next time TaRa for a bit.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jack! 👍

[@bpcbookmarkbpcbookmark5426]

I am really excited for a new video about drainage. while on my lunch break. love all your video shaun. i have learnt so much by watching your video. thank you brother

[@GCFD]

thank you for watching and commenting! I'm glad you like my stuff!

[@MrDbone75]

Good Friday evening to you all in the USA from Wellington Somerset in the UK

[@GCFD]

👍

[@maytham236]

Like your finishing at job end

[@GCFD]

thank you!

[@RHEC1776]

Wow you and your reps attention to detail and cleanliness is awesome. We need alot more crews like you

[@GCFD]

👍

[@jimbeck6093]

Man that grass came in quickly. Weeds really popped up. Good ole hot and humid summers!!

[@GCFD]

Yep! It grows around here for sure.

[@MyTractorGuy]

Nice work!!! And cool you have a hater. You know you've arrived when you have that one guy that always downvotes your video every time. Nothing wrong with this video. Excellent work and good camera angles for us to see. 👍

[@GCFD]

Haha I am working on my 20k subscriber special video and I talk about that guy. I literally like looked at this video thinking I accidentally added that clip to this video!

[@AtomicQuotient]

Another awesome video Shawn, love the content. You need to give your machines some cool names like Deathclaw and the Behemoth. Shout out to your crew, I know we mention you, but your entire crew is awesome.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I do let them know about the shoutouts!

[@steverusie6986]

That Harley Rake does a great job! I am always impressed with what you can do with it. Great work with the stump claw!

[@GCFD]

thank you Steve! Having great equipment makes all the difference for sure!

[@edpoints1127]

Great video Shawn and Gate City guys. Still so satisfying to see all of the hard work turn into a success story. The follow up videos are very cool.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Ed!

[@ipaddlemyowncanoe.7441]

Yeah that turned out really good good stuff. 👍👍😀🇨🇦

[@GCFD]

Thank you

[@ednaemode5762]

Good to see you back at it!

[@GCFD]

👍 I'm trying to keep up!

[@Inversiondude]

So close to 20k! Looking forward to that special!

[@GCFD]

👍 I hope you saw it!

[@Inversiondude]

@@GCFD I did! And the two recent ones as well! Glad to see you finally got some rain!

[@jimbeck6093]

Great video! You did say, “the dirt pretty much washed across the back yard”…..LOL!

[@GCFD]

Yes I did! *water*

[@jimbeck6093]

@@GCFD lol! All good….. keep up the great work!

[@scottrakes1622]

Man...they had that one closed up to keep PennyWise trapped. Now we all in trouble. 😂

[@GCFD]

Haha! We didn’t see anything when we opened it up!

[@alanostner]

Another great drainage solution. Love the stump hook. That’s a new tool for me. The ancient fabric around the big drop inlet looks a lot like the temporary erosion control fabric used during construction aka “silt fence.” I often find it like this. They sometimes have to wrap a drop inlet before the pipes are approved to function when they are building a subdivision. Then they forget to uncover some of them after they get inspected and approved to start flowing. Tons of silt deposits on the fabric at the DI after that ( since it’s at a low spot). Just a possibility. Such a great project. I’m sure the owner is glad you gave him his yard back!

[@GCFD]

I think that must have been what happened. We're doing another drainage basin like this next week. Same thing.. It's blocked off with fabric and fencing.

[@I_must_get_a_van]

I just love your work. You assess the problem and fix it. 😀

[@GCFD]

Some of my customers have said the same thing. I listen and try to identify the problem so I can then address and fix it.

[@wcsd9577]

I like that stump claw.

[@GCFD]

Same! that's the one on the small excavator. It works well.

[@bearg4019]

That is awesome how you can move some dirt around and it works...

[@GCFD]

Give the water a path of least resistance and it will take it.

[@doubleeranch169]

Finally! Been waiting for a new video :) Great work! Henceforth i shall require bi-weekly videos, but i'll settle for one weekly ;)

[@GCFD]

Hey Double E! I just finished my 20k subscriber special video, but most of my other videos are waiting for rain for the after footage. We've been getting small scattered storms and it's been tough catching the system in the rain. Most of the heavy rain had passed on this one by the time I got to the site.

[@AtomicQuotient]

@@GCFD He is teasing Shawn but yeah we have been waiting in anticipation for your next video ..

[@GCFD]

@@AtomicQuotient I know, same! I like making the videos and I have several in the works waiting for the last footage.

[@lukelovell1055]

I love finding old gate city videos I have not seen yet. Woooo haha

[@seasfas]

Getting more excited for a new gate city video than a new loki episode. Haha. Keep it up dude. Roll on 20k subs and onward to 100k! :P

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I have so many more videos in the works... most are waiting for rain after-footage!

[@alanostner]

Love Loki!

[@jimanderson4495]

Welcome back online. Thanks Shawn. Love the upload, love the Harley.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jim! How'd you know I was offline? I was diving in Bonaire with the local scuba shop.

[@dougackerman4182]

Always great content Shawn

[@GCFD]

Thank you Doug!

[@dylantrinder1571]

Good result there Shawn, nice job.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@joshg1244]

Ah I see your Saturn has the optional brake light option. The check engine is standard. Haha love those old cars.

[@GCFD]

I also have black badges and '02 coupe wheels (;

[@joshg1244]

@@GCFD Nice. I had a 1994 SL2 Homecoming Edition that came with Factory Perl White Paint and Factory Black Badges. Miss that car. Also had Modified Turbo 1992 SL2. I think I still have the video of it up on here.

[@Deaconberry]

Love that Harley rake.

[@Handlinmybusiness]

after watching Gate City Foundation Drainage do all these jobs, I want to hire them to come to Indiana and do my drainage work!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Dirk! - Shawn

[@xavierhenriques1116]

New GCFD! 🙌🏼 Thank you, Shawn Always wonderful

[@GCFD]

Thank you Xavier as always! I have a bunch more videos waiting for rain!

[@DavidJMann]

Another fantastic video, another fantastic job! 👌🏻

[@GCFD]

Thank you David!

[@markgriz]

You know you've hired a top notch company when the owner is out there hand raking along with his crew. Nice job as always.

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you!

[@gattie12ben]

Good job!

[@GCFD]

Thanks! 👍

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

One of the things that I find fascinating about the area you work in is all those drainage bassins. I've actually never seen one of those anywhere in my area. If there is a need for surface drainage, they just put in a manhole like those you typically find in streets. It is quite hard to burry a man hole. I know of one that is quite literally at the bottom of a small valley in a wooden area with mature trees. Its probably been there for the better part of several decades without any maintenance at all. There's no way at all that a vacuum truck could ever get there to clean it out. The problem that I've seen is that sometime, the ground settles, of the manhole moves with frost which can create a bit of a pond around the manhole. During winter, we get several frost and thaw cycles, so the ground can move quite a bit. With the winter that we get, anything that isn't anchored at least 4 foot down below the frost line will move.

[@GCFD]

These are part of the stormwater management system

[@RandomTechWZ]

One sign that you're a home owner...You enjoy watching videos about drainage. Also how often are you adding oil to your Saturn? I had a few first gen SL2's (one turbocharged) and really did enjoy driving those little cars.

[@GCFD]

Hey Zachary - I don't drive the old satty too much but I keep a close eye on the oil. I bought that car and had an '02 coupe with a better engine, so I swapped them. The wagon has that coupe's wheels and black badges too if you noticed. I'm ShawnV from saturnfans. 👍👍

[@alexplisko7794]

Awesome work :)

[@GCFD]

Thank you Alex! You won't want to miss my next video!

[@alexplisko7794]

@@GCFD Looking forward to it! :D

[@jedisith25]

finally! Been waiting for a new video :) Great work!

[@GCFD]

I have a few videos that are ready but waiting for rain footage!

[@Mark-hb5zf]

Glad you commented about fence rot not being an issue - was just ready to ask you about that! First thing that popped in my mind when I saw that part of the video. :) Good job! Any benefit to adding some stone around the catch basin to help it stay clean?

[@GCFD]

Hi Mark - The stone around the basin would clog up with debris, whereas, a clear opening lets the debris flow into and through the basin. this is a 24" pipe so it should handle anything that can fit under the lid.

[@cheskydivision]

I loved picking wild strawberry when I was a kid. Doesn't look like that transformer gets inspected very often.

[@GCFD]

Same! and blackberries.

[@10lauset]

Cheers.

[@GCFD]

👍 Laurie!

[@juliehoffman92]

Fantastic

[@abhizylo]

Shawn's back

[@GCFD]

👍

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

8:30 This looks like it's a prime candidate for digging the basin drain holes out and then concreting the slopes of the pit to ensure this basin never gets buried like that again...

[@GCFD]

For sure!

[@tdimccullough]

i live in the UK and we never cover the ground with straw after grass seeding. why do you do it?

[@GCFD]

The straw protects the bare soil from erosion, protects the seed from granivores, the straw holds moisture, and releases nutrients as it decomposes. I buy hundreds of bales yearly.

[@tdimccullough]

@@GCFD I live in northern Ireland so keeping moisture in ground isn't a problem and grass will start showing within two works of sowing

[@wolfofdiscord7092]

with the gravel around the basin, all i could think is that they thought gravel would let water pass into it and the fabric would keep soil from flowing in through the gravel, but all it seems to have done was clog it all up. but this is the opinion of someone with very little experience

[@GCFD]

I think so too. It's funny that this is how everyone recommends I do my french drains! Wrap the gravel up with fabric and bury it.

[@geraldblackburn4883]

You dig around the root ball like you have done that before, letsdig18 he does a LOT of that, I have not watched him in a few months but fun to watch.

[@cliffpalermo]

Would be interested in knowing what you charge and how you price a job. Thank you for sharing and more please!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@jareddixon8140]

Let’s “make it rain” for more videos!!

[@GCFD]

I know!

[@bobx6565]

My favorite swale is Connie Swail. Just the facts, ma'am. 😉

[@GCFD]

👍

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

The virgin connie swail? 😀

[@bobx6565]

@@rickwhitescarver8526 oh, I never said that! 🎵 Daaa da dat dat 🎶 😈🥳😃

[@chrisnorden8043]

I want to pressure wash that fence so badly!

[@GCFD]

👍 hahah

[@lmejia6438]

I love gun porn but now with these videos, they are way better than looking at firearms, solutions to drainage problems is an art my friend.

[@jimbeck6093]

In places where you made that berm, for what could be very high water flow, do you recommend anything that you can put over the seed and straw to keep it from washing? Is there a breathable fabric or the like that can be put down over seed and straw temporarily to minimize erosion?

[@GCFD]

We do a good job of compacting the soil to reduce erosion. Trying to get seeds to germinate and grow enough roots is impossible so we make sure the bare soil is good.

[@kimAndNate]

Nice

[@GCFD]

👍

[@bradley.loveland]

They probably had it covered with gravel and cloth to keep the kids and pets from falling in. Just a hunch

[@GCFD]

Good possibility for sure!

[@racerx009]

Aw, Shawn broke a picket, everybody go home 😉😁

[@GCFD]

Haha

[@finianbower8615]

Where does the water from the drainage basins go, does it just go right into the main stormwater line?

[@GCFD]

Yes and then on to a creek

[@finianbower8615]

Thank you.

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

3:28 FRENCH DRAIN! FRENCH DRAIN! FRENCH DRAIN! OK, OK, I''ll shut up and go back to my Time-Out Corner... 😄😁😆😅😂🤣

[@GCFD]

hahah 👍

[@tracyrain4941]

PS...forgot to wish you and yours a happy 4th July...hope you all have a great weekend 😊

[@GCFD]

👍

[@danne77sthlm]

Wow, I really wonder what made someone bury that like it was, it seemed very intenional , but its very dumb, so why someone would do that are beyond my understanding since they made it useless I usually dont wish rain upon anybody, hehe, but I do always wish some will come so that we get new videos like this, it´s a nice saturday morning treat to wake up to for me :)

[@GCFD]

Haha same! I need rain footage for about 10 videos at the moment.

[@the_split_log]

I’m super intrigued by the whole throwing straw on the bare earth after a job. Is the thought that you throw grass seed down them cover with straw to reduce erosion and wash off while it establishes? Is that a US thing cos I’ve never seen that done in Australia

[@franklintang1014]

The straw keeps birds from eating the seeds. Also helps retain moisture in the soil so you can water less often. Lastly, if you had to walk on the area after rain or watering, it’s less muddy.

[@the_split_log]

@@franklintang1014 This makes a lot of sense. Definitely not the done thing in Aus though. Cheers

[@GCFD]

Like Franklin said (:

[@ardiemclelland2039]

Some chicken wire should be placed over the openings on that basin. That’s a large enough hole for a small child or animal to fall into

[@GCFD]

Great idea!

[@ardiemclelland2039]

Great work though! Love watching your videos. Wasn’t meant to be a rude comment so I hope you didn’t take it that way!

[@kotk05]

I'm a bit confused, who's land is that where the swale was created?

[@GCFD]

That whole wooded hill belongs to the HO for this video.

[@Saki630]

Your brake light is ON!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Mostafa-vs8bd]

Hi Another example of peaple cut beautful tree... What about the trailer project?

[@GCFD]

The trailer project is finished but I need to finish the video series. My next video will have a trailer preview. 👍

[@joerad4722]

Why did you keep one side of the drainage basin buried still? Was that to make it easier to walk back there and because that side had no obvious purpose?

[@GCFD]

Good question! I didn't want the water to wash across the side yard and so I left that side buried.

[@auser1922]

Great videos Shawn, very entertaining and educating! What are your thoughts of using ABS instead of PVC?

[@GCFD]

I think ABS is fine but it's harder to find around here. I like PVC because I can get a full array of fittings easily.

[@alanostner]

@@GCFD Fittings make or break a pipe project! Same here we use pvc for the same reason.

[@JR-pd9xz]

why not gravel in this swayl?

[@GCFD]

I don't want gravel to slow the water down. I want the water to freely flow into the drainage basin and away.

[@pdpelsem]

Hey, why do you put the straw over the gras ?

[@GCFD]

It protects the bare soil from rain and protects the grass seed. 👍

[@bart1meuz]

im not an expert but isnt removing the stumps lead to more erosion?

[@GCFD]

It's possible. I tried to stabilize the soil by tracking over it.

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

Why not put a french drain in the back along that fence instead of that swail? Budget?

[@GCFD]

You would do a french drain if you had little to no fall across the back. Since we had decent fall a swale was more appropriate for the surface water than a FD would have been. If there was subsurface water coming across you would want a FD as well. Great question! 👍

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

@@GCFD thanks for the explanation. I was thinking for looks even it would be “cleaner” to get the water in a pipe ASAP. Figure over time that will erode and need upkeep more. But I never considered the “fall” being a factor. Great explanation. Thanks!

[@tracyrain4941]

Question 1: how do you know you've not overfilled your truck? Does it have something which equates to a plimsoll line or a weight measuring tool thingy? Just curious! Always curious!!! Question 2: how was that strawberry? Looked a little too small to be tasty! Also, great vid. Love to see water going where it should. 😊

[@GCFD]

Hey Tracy - Trucks are designed so they squat down when they are overloaded. I keep an eye on how close the tire gets to the frame as I load it up and make sure not to overload it. It will haul 12000 lbs easily and that's what I get when I go to the quarry.

[@tracyrain4941]

@@GCFD ... wow, that is a lot! Btw, I squat too when I'm overloaded! Just saying!!! Lol 🤭😊

[@sharonfox5643]

@@tracyrain4941 lol

[@mikehealy74]

It looked like what we would call an Alpine strawberry. Imagine a berry as small as that one, but with the same amount of flavour as a a massive one, just concentrated. Sooooooo tasty.

[@base2solutions861]

👍

[@GCFD]

👍

[@billfenner7084]

I am surprised that you don't have any thing to go across the opening of the catch basin. Where I live you have to use a bar.or something like that so kids can't get into the basin.

[@briankitchen6686]

The tooth, the whole tooth and nothing but the tooth.

[@GCFD]

👍 haha

[@williamlloyd3769]

Did everyone in the cluster of houses know what you were doing in adjacent property? If not, do you usually brief neighbors so as to lessen concerns, maybe drum up future business? Seems things were really intertwined. Were these issues caused by original builder or owners over the years?

[@GCFD]

Great question William! In this case the homeowner coordinated with the neighbor on the side and on the back. We especially needed permission from the back neighbor. It appears that the issue was caused by the builder filling in around that drainage basin.

[@AbdicateDotNet]

Fourth!!? :) Great vid!!

[@GCFD]

👍 Nice!

[@jdsflch5762]

Saturn station wagon

[@GCFD]

Yep with black badges and 02 coupe wheels 👍

[@whocares6698]

Maybe they sealed it off because of monsters LOL

[@GCFD]

Could be. Maybe the monsters feed on water so they wanted a drainage basin but didn't want the water to get in.

[@whocares6698]

LOL hope they dont get crazy and try to get out of the basin now

[@bucklelanefarm]

Second!

[@GCFD]

👍 Nice!

[@schreinermd]

First!

[@GCFD]

Nice!

[@CosmicStargoat]

When you reveal what people have done previously, I really do not understand what they were thinking. This is pretty basic stuff.

[@hippielewis4768]

Be good video without the dumb music-like a broken record. You should tell why you put down the straw.

[@GCFD]

Seed and straw

[@ashkarchris]

Good job!

[@GCFD]

👍