Soil correction against foundation to stop water intrusion

[@brianbrewer8683]

I've been following your channel for some time now and resonate with your philosophy, particularly your emphasis on proper drainage. Your approach of directing water away from the foundation rather than towards it is spot on. Your explanations have shed light on why certain drainage practices are ineffective. Witnessing your work and understanding the rationale behind it has been enlightening.

[@nellermann]

That type of brick will absorb water! It shouldn't be under grade. That is a huge part of the issue as well for moisture in the basement walls. Dealt with this issue at my last out in Virginia. All the water proofing in the world isn't going to help much if the grading is not away from the foundation. You guys are doing a great job.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Nick! Seems pretty straightforward to grade the soil away from the house...

[@viper100200]

@@GCFD Wish I could have a "popular" youtube channel and have an unearned sense of arrogance. You're doing a great job...

[@steverusie6986]

Looks like a well thought out plan and you can already see it was working! Great job 👍!

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

You are the man, for the job. I can percieve you know & understand what you are doing.

[@user-gk7mz9cy5z]

Always tricky dealing with properties that are uneven like that. As always, nice sensible work by the team. With all that moisture etc, you have to wonder if maybe there’s also a spicket/line leak within the wall or foundation. Slightly off topic - The homeowner must like those shrubs, but I thought the place looked better once they were removed.

[@GCFD]

I agree. We searched for a broken line but didn't see anything. I liked the house without the shrubs too, maybe they will keep them or do something else. If they survive!

[@BryanO92]

@@GCFD Some species are very thirsty though, so they can actually help with drainage as well.

[@the_split_log]

I think the length of your videos is really good. Sometimes a 7-10 minute video just doesn’t quite satisfy but the 17-22 minute mark is perfect.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I try to only include footage that adds to the content - either entertainment or educational. If something adds no content it gets cut!

[@the_split_log]

@@GCFD Great thought process. I’m really liking it 👌🏼

[@jimanderson4495]

Gotta love that Harley rake. Thanks Shawn .

[@GCFD]

For sure! I have one for the big skid but haven't used it much.

[@SofiNme365]

Great video! I love the care you give to your customers.

[@Landofmagic678]

You come up with the most creative solutions! It’s amazing!

[@GCFD]

Thank you! I like to keep it simple and effective. 👍

[@TheWolfster001]

How we did drainage, when I was building houses, we put a drainage system in and used drainage tile then long runs of pvc pipe like you do, but ours we delivered away from the hose and leached back into the soil, just like a leaching field, it added a cost to the build, but the homeowners new they would never have flooding in their basement.. Also like every builder should know to do, make the grade go away from the house (ALWAYS).. I am not criticizing your work, I like how you do things, sad that you have to go behind lazy builders and fix their screw ups.. I know many contractors, who the only jobs they do is fixing the screw ups from others, it is very sad that there is a need for it and the homeowners have to pay up... Still better pay a bit more up front, then pay out the ass to fix things latter... I enjoy watching your video's. They are entertaining, educational & shows that there is a high need for people like you.. Keep up the good work.. Be Blessed...

[@GCFD]

Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@greatitbroke]

Its not that the builder was lazy the problem is that the house may have very well had no problems over 20 30 or even 50 years. Get to 60 or 70 years mortar cracks or a slight foundation crack happens because of wear and tear on the house and all of a sudden there is a leak. Add to that land scaping from home owners that have no idea about what they are doing over the decades and that compounds the problems with the water getting in. Now you have this mess to fix. Its not the builders fault its all the home owners that didn't know about what was going on with the house.

[@GCFD]

@@greatitbroke good point!

[@trailermonkey8687]

@@GCFD Excellent point. As evidence look how high the final grade was compared to the foundation waterproofing! That grade most likely built up over 50 years of home owner landscaping, pine straw and leaf mulch ...Not to mention the addition of hard scap up hill from the basement.

[@santafefavs]

I had a track hoe operator that got too close to the cinder block retaining wall around the crawl space underneath the house. The weight pushed in the wall and tipped the machine against the house!

[@ducagace1390]

Excellent work! Wish you the best for you! Take care.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Duc! Thanks for commenting - Shawn

[@anthonyfindlay466]

Another job well done Shawn, as always love your effort and hard work. Shout out to Jeremy and Ronald you guys are best at what you're doing can't wit for next upload, God bless you.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Anthony! I do tell them about your comments and shout outs. Another awesome video should be live this evening!

[@anthonyfindlay466]

@@GCFD I'll be looking forward, keep them coming bro.

[@MrDbone75]

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

[@GCFD]

👍 David

[@alecsimages1]

Nice job Shawn and well thought out. Regards from Valencia Spain. Alec

[@GCFD]

Thank you Alec!

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

You just saved me money, & problems. I always thought having gravel from footer drainagepipe all way up to surface would be best. I need to underpin our s wide mobile,( retaining wall needed on 70' , one side). I have a open gulley 20' out from mobile, up against woods.. 3' embankment, on average. Wanting to enlarge ditch along top edge of property. Been here in Polk Co, NC now for 10 yrs. Just Love yer content. Stay safe.

[@rfl35]

Great video! Love the details. I remember one of your employees saying full bubble boss , you should make shirts that say that.

[@GCFD]

Haha! I do have some shirts that say Full Bubble!

[@rfl35]

@@GCFD thats really cool I didn't even know that .

[@koragraceful]

The water is currently running off the new clay at the bottom of the stairs, but what about after its really dry and hot and it cracks away from the sidewalk. Won't it seep down like before? Also, the new dirt seems much higher against the basement bricks, and isn't it now covering some of the shutter?

[@shanewhite499]

Another job well done Shawn. You guys do excellent work. Love watching your videos.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Shane!

[@erwinbrubacker7488]

Awe, that shade time looked really good, 👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you Erwin!

[@RVJunke1]

You are very good sir! Like Colombo of water problems.

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you!

[@hollandduck79]

from the Netherlands thanks for the video Shawn

[@GCFD]

👍 thank you!

[@timwarriner842]

Shaun, when you did the great eggscavator challenge I noticed it looked like you were on some kind of pond project. If so, hope to see a future video or two. Love to watch your team work to solve the drainage issues

[@GCFD]

Yes Tim! I'm working on the video now... 195 video clips to work through!

[@johnsonexcavatingandlandcl3473]

I have a similar situation, customer has water coming into their basement occasionally. The issue is the grade comes down to the house and there is a wrap around driveway that sits 2 feet in front of the foundation. My only option is to seal the cracks in the foundation after excavating and put plastic up against the house with a French drain that runs along the foundation and exits out the side. I can’t shape it to fall to one center drain either.

[@GCFD]

I would try to get the water away from the house instead of trying to seal everything. The reason is a tiny pinhole leak and they back to flooding. It sounds like a tough situation for sure!

[@robertkribs9513]

This will be a perfect solution for me in two spots underneath some porches!

[@biglsd1]

Fantastic job Shawn 👏 👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@jly3442]

Professionalism and educational need someone you in the pnw!!

[@GCFD]

Thank you!!

[@ednaemode5762]

Great work sean!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Edna!

[@dahaze140]

Awesome video! Great content very educational and useful!

[@andrewjambo1]

Great video and camera work.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Andrew!

[@joebishman6163]

I should do this fix to my yard. I have a fence, a sidewalk, a deck and an A/C unit to work around. Maybe i will get to it next year.

[@GCFD]

Sounds good Joe 👍

[@deserteagleiii1643]

I was looking at the wall of the house... when the organic soil was removed.. might help if only the wall was plastered with cement atleast 1" from lowest part of the wall up to the top of the ground... or better yet cement the perimeter then pots are available if they want to plant something

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@athomas897]

Good job! Thanks for sharing.

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@drliamdaasian5153]

Learn something new every video. Didn’t know that someone would actually have gravel and plastic up against the foundation. Great job fixing that stupidity 👍

[@kadenen]

My house has this. It doesn't work. Once the dirt settles and the top of the plastic is exposed, even if it was originally sealed with some sort of tar like mine, it sun rots, cracks open, and let's water flow freely in to the basement and foundation.

[@drliamdaasian5153]

@@kadenen wow

[@kadenen]

@C B yea, my drainage knowledge 100% comes from either Shaun or my experience thus far with just my house lol. The main problem now is that the flashing is collecting rain and then diverting it down directly against the brick, which then goes in between the plastic drain board and the house. There is slope away from the house currently, but that open exposed drain board at the top lets enough direct rain during storms that it seeps into the basement

[@johnclements6614]

@@kadenen You should cap the drain to stop the water running down the wall into it. You could use clay, as in this vid, concrete, small paving slabs etc. Leave the drain in to remove the subsurface water.

[@GCFD]

Hi Kaden - Thanks for sharing your experience. I would dig out the gravel and drain board and cover it back with soil with a high clay content, properly compacted like we did here. Get that surface water to flow away instead of down.

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

In my area we have lots of freeze thaw cycles in the winter and that gravel plastic membrane and weeping tile at the bottom help get the water away and then it wont freeze and push on the house. Sounds like the weeping tile pipes are boocked and that is what should be fixed as well

[@GCFD]

After adding the dirt sloping away from the house there should be no water against the house and nothing in the pipe! 👍

[@tnt666tnt]

I agree with this. I had all the water sloping away from my house and my basement was still very humid. Busted up back of basement floor and found water about 3 inches lower then my floor(in the dead of summer) eventually finding back side of my house weeping tile almost completely plugged full of sand. Jetted it out. installed a second sump pit and now I don't even need a dehumidifier..

[@GCFD]

@@tnt666tnt nice! The weeping tile is for subsurface water. Did you install a cleanout so you can jet it out again or does it daylight somewhere?

[@tnt666tnt]

Unfortunately no where near me is lower then my beasment. Originally I had 1 sump pit where the weeping tile ran to. It got very easy overwhelmed(2 1/2 hp pumps couldn't keep up). When I busted up the back part of the floor and found that water I decided to install a second sump pit there. I pump the water away 275ft to the ditch. Really high water table. pumps cycle every minute or so from October to June. dont run at all during the summer.

[@coenfilm]

Another great video! Thanks Shawn!

[@anoopsidhu3437]

Great video thanks for doing it. I have a question when you put the hose on the brick walkway it was nicely flowing away into the dirt. You said water was going straight into the soil and somehow getting into the foundation. How is that possible because you were couple of feet away from foundation

[@jimrkimo]

Hi Shawn … good vid

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jim!

[@MaverickandStuff]

Those dimple mats are designed for ground moisture to catch it and direct it to the footing drain before it soaks into the concrete. They are not designed for any type of surface water or drainage, more of just a moisture barrier.

[@GCFD]

👍 We needed to get some protection in there for sure.

[@TobsCA]

In Germany we use these dimple mats ( we call them Ground Wall Protection) around every below surface Structure. But there is no problem with Surfacewater. We catch all the gutters. always.

[@davidrushing7366]

What about the water that actually gets to the footer of the foundation? I had to do both here in Fayetteville Ga. Full removal of failed corrugated perf to pvc perf as well as parching, bithune, and drainboard. My basement foundation is 7-8 ft down in the front and I evacuated with a pump out to the back creek. I also have to grade away from the house with landscaping. But a foundation footer drain pipe and wrap was necessary down there. Obviously every situation is unique.

[@gattie12ben]

Great job!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Ben!

[@hyster2568]

Mans good with that mini track hole..

[@jonathanlanglois2742]

I've got at least a foot around my foundation that is perpetually dry. The soil near my foundation is rather sandy. What you are saying about drainage is rather interesting. In my case, I don't think that it is a major problem since my entire street is a rather steep hill. The lot next door is quite literally below the level of my foundation, so that's where the runoff would naturally end up. There is actually a small stream that comes out of the hillside at the bottom of that hill, so one can assume that it runs somewhere underground in the hillside. Considering just how much clay there is on the surface, it is surprising that there is that much water in the subsoil just gushing out.

[@GCFD]

Interesting. I wonder if someone brought in the sandy soil as a cheap way to grade around the house when it was new?

[@andrewf2630]

​@@GCFDclay is not good soil type next to a foundation in any climate where(throughout the year) it rains and freezes/gets hot or just rains /gets hot. Look up clay soil frost heave. Also clay soil has the least load bearing capacity, of the different soil types.

[@SlackerU]

10/10, termites are basically everywhere & were probably find the debris in those rocks quite tasty, cool, & moist. I recently discovered expansive-soils which is basically all the southern coast & straight up the center of the country. The Federal Government wants the water ten feet away & six inches lower than our homes & the Foundation Repair services want soakers or sprinklers wetting two feet around the foundation to prevent soil-shrinkage in the dry season. My city has ideal weekly rains & superstorms every two or three years, the research makes me feel like they're seeding rain clouds to 'save' the city repair costs.

[@jvcyt298]

It's good that you raised the grade to pitch away from the foundation, but I didn't like how the window sill and even the shutter on the one side is buried under a few inches of soil, later on, if they put mulch there, that adds another two inches at least. It just doesn't seem like a good idea to me, otherwise, well done.

[@netposerx]

The moving pizza party time lapses crack me up every time! haha

[@GCFD]

Haha Same. I feel like it's worth 10 seconds of content. 👍

[@netposerx]

@@GCFD Shows me that you take care of your workers (asssuming the "bossman" is buying the pizza) LOL

[@jeffreyshier9021]

Thanks Sean, now I want a pizza and its 3:00am.🤦

[@GCFD]

Hahah Always time for pizza!

[@davidpeterson7056]

Nice job! I love the channel

[@GCFD]

Thank you David! Thanks for watching! - Shawn

[@CosmicStargoat]

It has to be rewarding to work with homeowners who are open-minded and farsighted enough to visualize the big picture. I'm sure that some myopically only see "price". Pay me now, or pay me later.

[@hoosierdaddy8002]

I wish my property was sloped like that. North Side of my house is flat and and water gets in through the crawl space vents. I had a French drain system installed and helped very little.

[@dylantrinder1571]

Whoever put that gravel soakaway in right next to the house must be an absolute idiot! Thank goodness you have simple yet practical solutions for these homeowners Shawn, great job!

[@dteh4501]

See that is my question, footer tile with liquid rubber and gravel is the method of choice for basement and crawl space outer wall. Did this job just not rubberize it? Or (my question) is the methodology just flawed?

[@johnclements6614]

It was a land drain not a soakway. Shawn said there was a pipe where the water discharged but not much came out.

[@dteh4501]

@@johnclements6614 soakway? Footer tile is pipe at the footer that collects surface and ground water at foundation by use of gravel, in this case the black plastic was in place of liquid rubber that is to protect the wall from water penetration. Again, is the methodology flawed

[@GCFD]

Thank you Dylan!

[@GCFD]

I think inviting surface water straight into your foundation is a flawed method. This method is supposed to work for subsurface water but you should never use gravel to the surface.

[@FumblingwithFlowers]

1:14 This is why I prefer your channel to a certain other popular channel that installs that plus with corrugated pipe. It just seems like asking for trouble.

[@GCFD]

I know! I see crazy stuff like this all the time!

[@onefixitman]

Those bushes you replaced are going to have a hard time getting water because the clay prevents the water going thru the soil. Hopefully they will get enough to survive.

[@stevenpitera8978]

Question, how much is it usually to get all the clay/supplies to do a surface water prevention like this? I would imagine this is the most cost effective tactic and looks like it gets the best results compared to complex french drains.

[@rozzab6993]

Nice job but I think you shouldn’t have covered the corner of the shutter with soil

[@GCFD]

👍

[@jennifershea1760]

Great videos.I’ve learned a lot by watching them. I understand that gravel should not be placed up against the foundation. Once soil is properly graded, is it ok to put down landscape cloth and a shallow layer of decorative stone that touches the foundation? Thanks

[@GCFD]

Yes that's fine as long as you have a good slope away.

[@ML-mn9eu]

Correct

[@davidahe45]

A question on using rocks against a foundation. Don't most new homes with basements use rocks at the side of the house to help with water removal at the bottom of the foundation?

[@electricaf365]

Good stuff as always

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@10lauset]

Cheers.

[@GCFD]

👍👍 Laurie!

[@dunkky23]

correct me if i am wrong.. would it also solve the problem, if you just run the hose away from the structure and use the water away from the stairs? I guess then the rain would become an issue? also, if you leave like that, how you going to deal with soil erosion and negate the slope you created at some point in the future?

[@zmaudi]

Awesome video. Love that you can use soil for diverting water. Also, on another note, I love your music playlist. Can you tell me what music you’re playing in the video background?

[@GCFD]

I just use music from the youtube free audio library.

[@a1140]

hi along the house was a french drain not a option thanks alan

[@GCFD]

You never want a FD along a foundation to address surface water.

[@a1140]

@@GCFD thanks looking forward too your next video all the best Alan

[@leolldankology]

You should add a plate compactor to your fleet.

[@GCFD]

We have a 200 lb plate compactor we use for compacting under concrete or pavers. It's a bit much against a brick foundation. I want to get one of those rolling compactors too.

[@leolldankology]

@@GCFD I saw it one of your thumbnails after I posted...lol

[@MikeHarris1984]

Why didn't you put a drain on the edge there to catch all the water coming off the poarch and tie into your downspout lines to drain away?

[@GCFD]

We definitely could have done that. The goal here was to encourage the water to shed away a little better. He wasn't getting flooding but some high moisture readings.

[@alsaku33]

That dump trailer was loaded at the end! Nice video as always sir! How does the dually do hauling that around?

[@GCFD]

The dually does well with that trailer. They pair well together.

[@randombytes3998]

Tell him not to call you "boss." YOU WORK FOR A LIVING! ;-)

[@GCFD]

👍

[@whip205inthebam3]

Shawn, 👍

[@GCFD]

👍

[@benm8257]

I like watching your videos so this is just a question. In my opinion Overtime water will eventually beat that soil back down and find its way into the ground and considering that the guy is already getting moisture in his house wouldn't it have been better if while you had the ground opened up you put a French drain in just to make sure and get all the water away from there house?

[@SlackerU]

Replacing the rock with clay is changing the capillary action to reduce moisture. The clay not only reduces the water flowing through but it will hold any moisture it has like a lightly damp sponge where the rocks only held debris for termites to eat.

[@shahsmerdis]

While the primary bulk water is gone, now you have a wet sponge against the house. Won't the brick absorb that moisture and then rot the wood behind it ?

[@SlackerU]

@@shahsmerdis It's a basement & crawlspace so maybe it has concrete walls. Before gutters the bottom six inches of those bricks were getting soaked anyway.

[@johnclements6614]

Shawn removed the french drain.

[@GCFD]

Ben - The gravel that was against the house was working as a french drain and that's what I wanted to stop. Water falls through gravel so by replacing the gravel with impermeable soil the idea is for that surface water to shed away from the foundation. 👍

[@andreaberryman5354]

Ah-high clay content. I was thinking of making a clay wedge up against mine. I don't have gutters, and I'm digging a lava and river rock drainage trench. My back is ugly negative slope-I say yeah-a regrade here. Thanks for showing. And yeah-organic matter against foundation hold tons of mosture and inhibits evaporation-which you want your foundation to do-dry out after getting wet. Where do we get clay rich soil???

[@brucelarson5267]

Do you feed your team or does everyone throw into a kitty for your lunches? Also, the fill music is great. Does that come off the internet as public domain or is it purchased?

[@GCFD]

Yes I cover lunch and pay them over lunch. The music comes from the youtube audio library. It's free to creators with no credit needed. I have purchased some before.

[@b_lumenkraft]

Here is an idea: Make a power wash of the walls with algae on it. If it doesn't grow back, you know the job is done 100%.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@humblerawat]

Can we not put plastic cloth as undelayment along with slope so that it is double protection

[@Cheezyfosheezy]

Surprised the shrubs wanted to be saved looked cleaner without

[@tonyp35]

Great video! Do you do work in Kansas?

[@cheongyei]

Shawn, how long until the leaves, flowers, seeds etc from the replanted vegetation pollute the new clay soil and introduce organic matter back into the soil?

[@GCFD]

Should be decades to centuries. Soil formation is a slow process.

[@ohbillytv179]

My man is just reaching right into that poison ivy like it's nothing

[@dylanhausinger2684]

As a drainage contractor I want to disagree with this entire project. But I’d love to hear the outcome of this.

[@GCFD]

Dylan it's working very well to shed water away from the foundation. What you would your solution have been out of curiosity?

[@bucklelanefarm]

Hey Shawn. What will you do with the soil/gravel mix? Whenever I dig at home I end up with similar looking piles and am looking at building a trommel to separate stone from soil so that I can reuse both.

[@GCFD]

I will use it as fill or leave it in a pile until the rain washes the dirt/soil away. It's not really worth trying to separate it without a separator.

[@raytalbot5890]

What was the white pvc pipe when you were digging out the old tree stump material?? 👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@GCFD]

The pipe against the foundation? that was our original PVC pipe that we caught the gutter by the door.

[@cloudyskies1323]

Where is the damp proof course running under the window? Is it below the soil?

[@GCFD]

It was right under the soil. That window was a fixed point for our grade.

[@johnclements6614]

@@GCFD The damp proof course will not work properly if the soil is above it. Here the code is that the external ground is 6 inches below the dpc.

[@GCFD]

@@johnclements6614 good point! We see this all the time and have to do what will work to keep water out, even if code can’t be achieved.

[@torrenwalker1203]

Should've put a catch drain In and piped it around to the other outlets???

[@GCFD]

That definitely would have worked!

[@DesignBuildFixReview]

Like the clay landscape, dont like those shrubs coming back.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@enfinityTX]

Why bring in dirt with a high clay content?

[@GCFD]

Because clay is much more waterproof.

[@RHEC1776]

At that point he's better off doing a 4ft wide walk way. That's why I hate when people suggest putting plants up against my house. Nope never. The house already looks ssoooo much nicer with those hedges gone

[@GCFD]

👍

[@WendySalima]

I have clay soil and I'm having water intrusion most likely due to the grade. Would you recommend taking out the wet clay soil and replacing with new clay? It seems to be holding water against the foundation. Thanks!

[@joey78221]

Dirt with high clay content? Caliche 3/4 base good ?

[@psbjr]

I'm curious if you have an opinion on the popular weather resistant barrier systems like polywall. They advise painting a rubber fluid applied barrier and then backfilling with gravel down to a french drain by the footer. Sounds like you wouldn't agree with that strategy at all.

[@TomSpencerNaturePhotography]

what equipment did you have one year 1 of your business. did you rent what you needed?

[@msfatts7162]

So if they are watering the plants they are causing water 💦 to get into foundation?

[@kevinc9515]

The “clay” soil you’re putting back in there is basically the “top” soil big box store sells?

[@GCFD]

I don't know what they sell. I have about 300 tons of that clay soil at my shop that I use.

[@watermouse9296]

Just curious - Did you clean up the street before you left? 16:11

[@GCFD]

Yes we always clean up and leaf blow with the backpack blower. 👍

[@MrTC-rv3jo]

Cool! What is that soil material you used to replace the organic soil that was there?

[@MaDGriZz78]

typical cost for a job like this?

[@danielhutton3211]

Love your videos! Do you all have pizza everyday for lunch??

[@GCFD]

We have it a lot that's for sure. 👍

[@danielhutton3211]

Work hard, eat good!

[@tnt666tnt]

Nice work. Pizza again 😆

[@GCFD]

Thank you chris! Pizza is easy, every one agrees on it, and they deliver!

[@williamzelonis5606]

Do you get your clay soil from a sand and gravel distributor?

[@benives254]

Where the heck is the damp proof course on this house.!

[@GCFD]

👍

[@trygveskogsholm5963]

Honestly this sounds like BS. A) Those bushes won't survive. B) clay against the foundation is evil. Yes may seal the surface water out but if it doesn't the expansion contraction cycle will hyper compact it and eventually push your wall in.

[@GCFD]

We don't have much of a expansion contraction cycle here where it rarely freezes. I've never heard of dry clay pushing walls in on a foundation.

[@ljbrandt500]

I didn't think you're supposed to pack soil against a brick wall

[@ryanrockwell916]

What are you using to pack the ground?