Restoring a Drainage Ditch to solve backyard flooding

Three homeowners go in together to solve the HOA's drainage responsibility when they won't.
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[@anthonycoppa9089]

Your drainage videos are the best. I like how you develop a plan, execute the plan with the right equipment, and show final rain results. Hats off to you and your crew .

[@fupa74]

I don't know what is so satisfying about drainage but I watch all your videos. Love the after shots you do!

[@GCFD]

Thank you for watching! - Shawn

[@BeerkegGarage]

I was just thinking about how helpful it probably is for you to have customer provided pictures/videos so you can see exactly where the water is traveling and solve the problem on the first try

[@GCFD]

Many of my customers have such extreme problems that they do take video of it. I've gotten in the habit of asking, and since most find me here, they offer to send them "for the video." 👍

[@ernestochavez89]

@@GCFD no lo k

[@airisaiia7340]

I love these drainage videos. It's incredible how simply thinking about the physics and working with the nature of water determines the project needs and as it should. Well done!

[@RaspyOB174]

Only thing I wanted to see that I didn't was the end of that swale into the creek. Awesome job great content

[@GCFD]

The homeowner sent that rain footage so I didn't complain! ( :

[@wandarebiejo6409]

He showed it.

[@RaspyOB174]

@@wandarebiejo6409 You never saw the actual creek though. But yea. Awesome video. Super appreciate this channel.

[@dionjohnson7547]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@robl.9758]

fantastic work! I love how you use logic to solve problems individually instead of just throwing out generic "solutions". Rip-rap is erosion control...not drainage.

[@GCFD]

Yep! I see awful rip rap solutions all the time. I'm going to be digging out some this week on a bank on the side of an apartment building that someone obviously spent a lot of money to install.

[@motorhomemac]

👍

[@damnoldguy]

I like the yellow on the trailer, really visible.

[@GCFD]

thank you! I like it too so far.

[@davidholste7209]

As a farmer in Illinois, I enjoy your channel. We are always trying to figure out where to send water on a larger scale.

[@GCFD]

Thank you David! 👍

[@theDougAngle]

Fantastic channel. I enjoy the authenticity and down to earth attitude you have. REALLY like seeing your systems in action with the return visits in the rain. Keep it up!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Doug! This video has some great after-footage from the homeowner!

[@theDougAngle]

@@GCFD - - sure did!! Great work as usual. Awsome footage of the final product!

[@DadzorRules]

I am a first-timer here. I am impressed! You do good work.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy my other videos as well - Shawn

[@joudatfd]

Nice. Just the simplest solution to the problem. Good fit for the excavator too :)

[@k1n2g4]

I really like it how you keep things simple and always investigate how the drainage was designed. This is a good example of lack of maintenance. Excellent job of bringing back the ditches. My HOA changed the free flow gutters to closed pvc linked to the street culvert system. guess what. The ground floor neighbors got water pouring through their ceilings when our roof terraces overflowed in a heavy downpour.

[@Alistila]

Big shout out to you Shawn for having Jeremy step off when backing up the concrete buggy.

[@GCFD]

Safety FIRST. I turn down jobs that the guys are not comfortable with.

[@damianbridge9514]

What exactly happened?

[@brendamayfuller8803]

@@damianbridge9514 Jeremy was backing the concrete buggy backwards off the dump trailer after emptying a load of dirt. Shawn got him to step off the back of the buggy and operate it from the side instead. Safer that way as the buggy can't tip backwards on top of the operator if it decides flip over backwards.

[@damianbridge9514]

@@brendamayfuller8803 Thanks for the explanation!

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@damianbridge9514 Another idea would have been to turn around and go down forwards. That way, you can see where you are going, and you'd tip onto instead of off the buggy.

[@pitchblackscatpack8229]

I’ve learned so much from your videos. Different systems and materials and why/when you should use them vs. when not to. Makes me want to do this for a living.

[@ernestochavez89]

Nothing like coming home to relax to these videos

[@Sam465]

A simple & cheap option for 3 homeowners, well done Team, bring on the next one & more.

[@GCFD]

Thanks Pete! I have a two-fer coming up.

[@coenfilm]

A two-fer. Woohoo!

[@CosmicStargoat]

Great video. This is a good example of working with Mother Nature, and not against her. It is also heartening to see neighbors cooperating for the common good. Water is going to obey the laws of physics every time. There is no malevolent intent, it just flows. Sometimes it need some nudging out of our way.

[@GCFD]

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

[@meatycraftfan23]

This project would greatly benefitted from the use of a "V" bucket like how Andrew camarata had made in his videos or an adjustable side to side angle mini excavator bucket. But regardless it turned out very well. Great job.

[@Paradoxical124]

Still mostly does the same thing, probably handles more water if you make it deep enough. Plus he can use one of those really narrow and long bucket to make a canal same as a v bucket.

[@KaiHenningsen]

@@Paradoxical124 This way, the water flow itself is going to optimize the shape of the ditch.

[@GCFD]

I agree Kai and Plain, I like the idea of a V bucket in areas with light flow. Here, the homeowner didn't care what the ditch looked like he just wanted it to work. So the square bucket dug a deep, wide trench for me. I think the water will wear it in well. I'll be back to check on things after a while.

[@oceanlover1663]

Yep. Was going to say the same thing.

[@TheWolfster001]

@@GCFD Good idea, but if the water stays to one side of the ditch instead of the center, it will end up slowly edging over more and more, if it has lots of fast moving water.. Only time will tell.. You are the expert on this.. That being said, even a V bottom will in time fill with suit..

[@RHEC1776]

Prime example of builder's not knowing 💩. Love you channel filled with commonsense and pride. That's why you're the expert

[@GCFD]

Thank you! 👍👍

[@coolchef09]

the homeowner that has the creek where the swail goes across their yard, it will slowly carve out a ditch blocking off that area. would be a good opportunity for the homeowner to put in a small fancy bridge over it to like an outdoor patio/firepit.

[@GCFD]

Cool idea! It would look like it was supposed to be there with all that water.

[@BeerkegGarage]

I'm excited to watch you solve this one!

[@GCFD]

It was pretty straightforward, but wait until you hear what the other companies wanted to do.

[@gregphillips24]

Subscribed a few weeks ago and very impressed with your work.I especially liked the vlog where you were watching the outcome on video and noticed you had not tied in his gutter run off pipe to your own and came back and dug up a bit of ground and rectified that omission.That is good customer care.Well done.

[@kimberly8185]

Neighbors working together to fix a common problem... I love it! This is how it's done folks ♡

[@GCFD]

👍

[@tnt666tnt]

About 1 hour from my house and I noticed you uploaded. I pulled over had a coffee and watched your video. LOL. great video as always. That was a ton of water, man wow.

[@GCFD]

Haha thank you Chris! I'm glad you liked the video. I have a two-parter coming up soon.

[@bwillan]

Great job on this drainage project. Such a rarity that two homeowners will work together to solve a problem, let alone 3. Now it's just a matter of the first two homeowners working together to keep the drainage ditch between their properties clear of debris and weed whack it once in a while.

[@KrozMcD]

What made this video was seeing the actual result in action. Super satisfying. Thank you!

[@dcwshoreline5416]

Unbelievable content and project Shawn and crew! You guys absolutely nailed it. I didnt think you were going to be able to fit that mini ex in but you proved me wrong!

[@matthewwindisch9449]

Imagine trying to that job with wheelbarrows? Love that concrete buggy!

[@GCFD]

I think I would have passed on it without those two machines.

[@wcsd9577]

Maybe if you were the homeowner trying to save some money and did a little bit each day, eventually it would get done.

[@jezalb2710]

@@wcsd9577 easily done within a week. By hand.

[@RaspyOB174]

@@jezalb2710 "Easily" LOL. I just got done digging a 20 foot long 2 foot deep and 8 inch wide trench which is extraordinarily less earth to move than this job and it was very difficult and taxing and time consuming by hand with many different shovels and a post hole digger. I was digging almost pure clay as well which made it 5x harder than normal and this job is STILL significantly larger. Phew. Took multiple long hard work days.

[@jezalb2710]

@@RaspyOB174 how does one eat an elephant? Piece by piece.

[@gman4802]

It's great that you have all land owners involved . Nothing worse than not.

[@GCFD]

I usually have the opposite so this was very nice.

[@DaddyBeanDaddyBean]

Awesome job as always. I've spent all my spare time in the last week working on cars, encountering (or causing) problems, figuring out how to fix them, watching car-related videos for advice as needed. Finished up the last problem this afternoon, so can finally give all the car videos a rest... and boom, a new GCFD video drops. Perfect timing!

[@GCFD]

My favorite car guy is richpin06a. I used to work on Saturn S series cars. My personal y/t channel is mostly me fixing those. LOL

[@tomlangley6236]

Very nice. It all comes down to having the Knowledge and the right tools for the job. You seem to have both.

[@shanewhite499]

Great job as always. That was great that you got 3 neighbors to work together to solve the water problem.

[@GCFD]

👍 Shane

[@chrisdamico603]

Another fantastic drainage system! Your drainage videos are the best on KZbin! You don't pressure clients into unnecessary costs just so you can increase labor/materials.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Chris! I like to keep things simple and effective.

[@gmcjetpilot]

Haven't seen your channel in a while. Good to see your team solving drainage problems.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Keep watching! 👍

[@wcsd9577]

A perfect solution. Great work Shawn!

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@ApprenticeGM]

Excellent solution to a simple problem - well done and thanks for sharing. It was great to see the after-job video from the homeowner. I live Down Under and all our water flows downhill too, it's not rocket science . . .

[@stevencorley2352]

As usual, water where it needs to be. Good job, Shawn. The yellow trailer looking good as well. Congrats.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@friendo6257]

I love your channel Shawn. Great work

[@GCFD]

Thank you Gourd!

[@blly8325]

I bet if one of the owners wanted to change the color of one their sheds the HOA would be knocking on their doors with the “Rule” book !! Great job !!👊👍

[@GCFD]

Yep! Or telling them to tear the shed down.

[@peterwyckoff]

it's nice doing a job when you have the right tools, it's awesome that's the tracks slide in like that

[@GCFD]

We couldn't have done it without those two machines. 👍

[@lawrencefosterjr.7332]

you have done a fine job and at a better cost to the customer...congrats.

[@GCFD]

Thanks! the customer is happy for sure!

[@stevewilson5292]

I like that neighbour's "woodpile-in-the-air" at 3:06. That'll keep the wood dry !

[@GCFD]

👍 haha

[@kenskip1]

Shawn, Every time I watch one of your productions I learn something. Thank you. Ken

[@GCFD]

Thank you for watching Ken!

[@kenskip1]

@@GCFD More than welcome. I like the new shirts. "Class"

[@georgelutz8212]

Good work .You are real knowledgeable on your craft .Great videos .I enjoyed that long distance water movement for some odd reason.Stay safe.

[@rogerleppelmeier3812]

You have great solutions Shawn!

[@semtek11]

This was a great video and a very creative solution. Well done. That little excavator really does a great job for you. Keep ‘em coming Shawn!

[@GCFD]

Thank you James! 👍

[@robertsalido1232]

From this project I realized something "money" about how you tackle all of your jobs! You don't overdue anything. You make a plan and stick to it. This is why so many fail. I like your professional blue shirt or new uniform. Neon's work clothes ties you into more smaller yard maintenance type companies and your not. I am a professional artist by trade, so I know the importance of Logo's and company trademarks, and you have done yourself proud with yours. You said in an earlier installment of video's, you might eventually paint your new trailer black. I think you should always keep it yellow for this reason. Your new trailer represents bigger gear and if you should pursue bigger endeavors, the "Client" , will always be confident on your use and expertise with larger equipment. IMO(in my opinion). As always, good job and great success to, Gate City Foundation Drainage.

[@GCFD]

Great comment Robert! I never even thought about the neon shirts pigeon holing me like that, but it makes perfect sense! Do you make thumbnails for youtube videos? If so send me an email at foundationdrainage@gmail

[@kenactofkindness4017]

what he said lol , go go go gate city, picked up few good pointers since first watching ....way amazing wow, like say u can see ur jobs work, thats a wrap not rip rap lol

[@robertsalido1232]

@@GCFD Shawn, You are one youtuber that's doesn't need thumbnails. You are unique in that of your job, your audience and of your way of displaying what you do. Your not a crafter, or channel of hype or Impression. Your a true representation of hard work, determination and design. Keep doing what your doing. Your a success. Keep it simple and be true to yourself and the goals of your company!

[@MargReadsManga]

@@GCFD Hi there! I make KZbin Thumbnails! I'll send you an email sometime this week!

[@FumblingwithFlowers]

Awesome neighbors sharing the planning and cost!

[@GCFD]

For sure! The best example I've seen so far.

[@jafocharlie848]

Certainly enjoy watching your videos. You know your stuff, well. And the results always show that. Nice looking soil where you are, lucky. I live in an area that was originally all swamp, (1930’s). Then they filled the entire area in with the clay when digging out all the freeways. Not pleasant working, especially for home waterproofers. Keep up the great work!

[@kennith.]

For less than the cost of the rip rap ... I enjoy watching your informative videos and am amazed by your honesty and keeping it simple. Thank you, I would also love to see a follow up video in a few months to a year, after some vegetation grows back?

[@GCFD]

Yes, I'm interested in a follow-up on this unique job as well. I'll definitely be back out there.

[@southpineshooligan]

Always a great job from you and your team!

[@farmerbob728]

Great video guys....Thanks for sharing your customer problems with the solutions. The kubota kx18 is a great machine I had one for a year or so. But I had the space problem that you're having on this project. So I ended up getting the kubota u17 with a zero tail swing. And last month I got a jack hammer on it. Your past video on the apartment drainage basin that was small size. Was a opportunity that I could take advantage of. Using the u-17 with the jack hammer to break out the concrete. And I have the kubota kx057-4 together on a job site. I'm able to bring both machine together. I have you and your videos to Thank for that. As well as having a good network of other contractors that would help. Once again thanks for the experience of your years in the trade...

[@GCFD]

Yes! I would love to get a U17 and U35. I just got a hammer for my mini track loader MT85 and same, I wish I had it on the Apt job..

[@alexplisko7794]

Woo! Bucket cam. Getting creative with the angles, nice. Those early views are pumping too :)

[@GCFD]

Thank you Alex! I had to figure out an interesting way to video the trench...it was just a lot of the same digging along the line.

[@pfleong7252]

Well thought solution for such massive amount of rain water ..

[@Paradoxical124]

“And so this thing can get skinny on you” I love that line 😂👍

[@GCFD]

Sometimes you have to!

[@hollandduck79]

Hello from the Netherlands . the bucket you used is not a ditch bucket but a grading bucket. a real ditch bucket is also called a V-bucket here because it has a V shape to make the ditch sides. I'd love to see you make a V-bucket like that Shawn. Andrew Camarata also made one and a video of it on his channel. you can also make a bucket like that I'm sure. order or make the right excavator ears. I hope to see a video from you. Sincerely Hollandduck from the Netherlands

[@hwolf8]

I concur with this!

[@GCFD]

I've watched his video a couple of times and thought about it. I may think some more 👍

[@MrDbone75]

Good Wednesday morning to you sir and your family from Wellington Somerset in the UK

[@GCFD]

👍 David

[@jackhume4532]

Good morning Shawn, that’s another excellent job very well done 👍 and those customer provided pictures at the end of your video proves that sometimes the simplest solution works best and until next TaRa for a bit.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jack! I like to keep things simple and effective.

[@g2theb584]

Can't wait to see this deluge!

[@GCFD]

The homeowner got some fantastic after-footage!

[@edpoints1127]

Another great job GCFD!!! I believe a job like that, involving 3 fairly good sized properties, deserves another action video after.... Say... 6 months? 🤞👍

[@GCFD]

Yea for sure! I'll try to make it happen!

[@MomberyMochi]

That 3rd property owner missed a good opportunity to put in a pond that always gets fresh water, but wow the project looks so good regardless! Props to ya!

[@samm8697]

This is how my front yard looks during heavy rain. I plan on renting a backhoe and direct the water to the creek but we shall see when that happens

[@christopherreed4867]

Another great day in the life of drainage, keep up the great work..

[@GCFD]

I don't know how I deal with so much glory. Haha

[@amfwelsh]

I watched this when you posted it and a few times since as it’s such a great job

[@krispipermel]

great job well done

[@JR-zu9hl]

I love your videos thank you very much. I especially like the follow up where you go back to the project and see how it performs under tough conditions.

[@steverusie6986]

Wow what an improvement! It works out well when the neighbors work together. If the area between the fences showed up on the plat as open space the HOA should have paid for it! Great work as always! 👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you Steve! The HOA said Nope.

[@steverusie6986]

@@GCFD they actually got better results from you than they would have if they had sued the HOA, who then would have gotten someone who would have installed riprap.

[@laviniasgarden3648]

@@steverusie6986 lol so true

[@firstnamelastname3558]

Very professional. Good video.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@DavidJMann]

Love this job Shawn, fantastic!!

[@GCFD]

thank you David!

[@martynbuzzing3327]

I had to smile, I watched a post by one of your competitors and he was explaining why ribbed French drains was the way to go, sometimes stacking 3 pipes together to assist water flow. I did leave a comment...😂

[@GCFD]

Hahah I don't like driving over 1000 speed bumps either! LOL

[@musclesmouse]

I love the bucket-cam 👍

[@joannecraft-lane8660]

Great job!!

[@MattFaulkner77]

Another fantastic job and I’m liking the new polos!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Matt. They are sharp for sure!

[@luissantos-1972]

Hi from Portugal As always, a nice job and a awesome result! All the best

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@tacocin]

Great job!

[@alecsimages1]

Great job Shawn and team.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Alec!

[@erik1514]

Love the work Sean! Keep it up!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Erik!

[@2009waterfall1]

If you try that in a (Big City) type of area like many places in Florida you will have so many permits, engineering plans, surveys, and inspectors that the cost would triple. I like the way you keep it simple.

[@randythomas4549]

TOP JOB SHAWN.

[@hupur]

another well thought out job,way to go...and company shirts too.....nice!

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you!

[@whip205inthebam3]

Shawn, WTG great job 👍 Shawn maybe you need to make your small excavator an adjustable bracket so you can tilt your bucket in places like this. I have seen some of the dump buckets like yours now that will spin the bucket only and unload in almost any direction as well.

[@larryehrlich57]

I highly recommend that you have a special bucket made that creates the angle of the ditch as you go. Build something with a shallow V shape. Get some large cardboard and make the shape and size of the bucket that you want out of cardboard. Then find a good welding shop (you) and have it made. It will save you a small fortune over the years ahead. Good luck. The benefit of the 'V' is to initially force the water to follow the 'V' until it erodes the path that "you chose". Please take a picture of this patn a year later to see how the water eroded the flat path.

[@rogerdickinson920]

Andrew Camarata made one for exactly this purpose. Also for a smaller excavator.

[@rfl35]

Yellow trailer is working great, That was a tight squeeze digging out that whole long run like that but it came out good 👍 no pvc was used on this video 😀👍 Full bubble boss!

[@GCFD]

Haha, we've got lots of PVC coming up in the next two-part video! Coming soon!

[@godbluffvdgg]

Good job...It's nice when a plan works the first time...In my 30 years in construction; I never saw a ditch like that to handle property water; usually the Swales will funnel it to where it should go...

[@tcb069]

good job shaun , you cant beat that kubota , i love mine what a work horse for a mini

[@GCFD]

Yes that was the second machine I got for the business and it's been wonderful!

[@cheongyei]

I like it when you show where the water leaves the project....in this video it was not shown, just named as "on down the way". Still a thumbs up.

[@GCFD]

the homeowner shot these rain clips so I didn't get the chance. I'll be revisiting this in a year or so and will make sure to get the outfall.

[@DavidJones-smiley]

Well it worked good job well done

[@austinboettlin4060]

I'm loving the new uniforms and your use of your logo on the equipment and in the videos. If you were closer I would hire you for my complicated drainage problem

[@GCFD]

Thank you Austin! Thanks for watching - Shawn

[@Stratos53100]

Yes the color selection is great

[@SpiritedWrenchers]

Great video. I have watched so many of your episodes that are similar to our current situation at our property. Simple things I like are the review of the problem, the solution decided upon, the work during and you going back out during bad weather to show it's working. Only thing I wish you could add is what the cost of the project was in each one. Sure wish you all were up her in Southern Ohio. Could use you all for sure. If you have any businesses in the Cincinnati area that you would recommend, let me know. Thanks again for sharing all of these.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! The price thing would be meaningless due to differences in material cost when the job was done, local economies, access or distance of the job.

[@jasond9452]

"I love it when a plan comes together." John "Hannibal" Smith ;)

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@codysutterfield1052]

Great work.

[@GCFD]

thank you Cody! - Shawn

[@jebbaldwin8516]

good job

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Great work and good information video

[@GCFD]

Thank you Taylor!

[@Stratos53100]

Great work..#1 problem : HOA..too many rules & stupid regulations (you could Never pay me enough to live in one), Yes the videos provided showed good evidence by the homeowner, # 2 Issue : Didnt turn the phone sideways to get a landscape (wide angle) view, The Mini Ex : priceless.. I didnt realize the tracks narrowed that much, those fences were tight, End result Great solution. That skid steer bucket combo is a very cool piece of equipment.

[@Coloradohomestead22]

The new shirts are great! That’s a very professional look.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@johnnykracun8044]

Nice work sir

[@GCFD]

Thank you Johnny 👍

[@frankyrojas9729]

Nice video thanks

[@GCFD]

Thank you Franky!

[@tmactheplumber4966]

Impressive ! good stuff.

[@GCFD]

thank you!

[@dlukesh]

Thatg was beautiful handled! Can't wait for more vids

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I've got a two-parter on the way.

[@dlukesh]

Yes so excited thank you so much for all you do.

[@oldtimefarmboy617]

Balancing the load in a trailer is always best. But they do make suspension assisting air bags that can be mounted on the rear to help level the pickup if life happens and you can not get the load balanced out. The least expensive ones require you to add and bleed of air as needed but the ones with the valve and air pump that added and bleed off air on its own would be well worth the extra expense. I had a car I bought used that had something similar and it was nice when you loaded up the trunk for a trip and/or had extra passengers. Always had a nice smooth and level ride.