Solving basement flooding with PVC drainage system + grading

[@orthonormality]

I really appreciate the follow-up with your videos. There's lots of videos showing installs but showing it in action is very helpful. It must be very satisfying in person.

[@GCFD]

Thank you! It can be a pain to catch things during a rain but I find it very satisfying to see all that water that was causing problems being diverted away. My customers have laughed saying they stare at the water coming out of the pipe, where that same water used to cause them huge stress. Thanks for watching!

[@mickblock]

4:30 that landscape fabric sure did a good job keeping the weeds away.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@freddapelter8332]

I love how you go back out and do follow ups for your customers, and that you for uploading them. It's really great to see the effectiveness of your work. I really wish you were closer to Central VA. I surely would hire you to solve my drainage issues.

[@GCFD]

thank you Fredda. Seeing the work in action is the only way I can make sure it's working.

[@whip205inthebam3]

Shawn, great job WTG to all the guys and gals on the crew!

[@GCFD]

👍👍

[@michaelc.3812]

Really like that you go back in the rain!!

[@GCFD]

I really like seeing the system working! Plus I like to go back and make sure things are working.

[@Dukemeistro]

Yes, it's awesome how he shows the complete "after" results.

[@Dukemeistro]

Sean, I have some photos of my yard around my house that I like to share with you, and get your thoughts. Is this possible?

[@jeremyvandeusen4317]

See the skid steer in operation in sped up time, reminds me of watching Bob The Builder when my kids were younger. 😂

[@coenfilm]

Really enjoy watching your filming the work you do. And the follow up during rainstorms is interesting to show your success!

[@GCFD]

Thank you! Thanks for watching! - Shawn

[@kevinokeefe8783]

I do this for a living and I would let you work on my house any day, good job

[@GCFD]

Thank you!

[@steverusie6986]

Going back to some older videos before I found your channel. Great videos!

[@GCFD]

Proceed with caution Steve. My early videos were mostly just an afterthought that I would use to document the project. It wasn't until Jan 2021 when my channel gained popularity and I started working harder on the quality.

[@alex1_1_2]

i would watch all day long your videos, i just like to watch professionals on the job

[@GCFD]

Thank you Alex! Thanks for watching! - Shawn

[@sharpgirlsSerious]

Excellent Work. ! Only Company I have found so far that shows their system in operation after installation ! 👍

[@GCFD]

Thank you, Thanks for watching! - Shawn

[@Blackwater_House]

It is good to know that a Quarter of a Bubble is sufficient fall for Water to drain.

[@GCFD]

Yes, at a minimum. We gladly take more if we can get it.

[@Losttoanyreason]

This job really gave ya'll a workout. You moved quite a bit of dirt this time but you got the job done plus it looks nice.

[@GCFD]

👍 Thank you!

[@SheenaRea]

New sub and binge-watching your videos. These are excellent and very informative! Thanks Shawn!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Sheena! Thanks for watching!

[@Tom-pd3vd]

Nice camera work!

[@GCFD]

Thank you Tom

[@jackhume4532]

Great work Shawn, that you and your team did there on that particular project.

[@GCFD]

Thank you Jack!

[@kimber841]

Nice piece of property. Looks like it just got away from him a bit! It’s hard work keeping up with it!

[@GCFD]

Yes he's slowing been working on projects. The drainage stuff was huge because he was constantly battling the flooding in the basement. He said he should have called me sooner!

[@tracyrain4941]

If you ever do merchandise I'd like a mug with Jeremy's quote "Ze Full Bubble" on it! Or a mug which has a heat reactive spirit level picture printed on it which goes from 1/4 bubble all the way to full bubble at its hottest! Just saying! I love mugs! 🤭😊

[@GCFD]

Great idea Tracy! I haven't really thought about that too much... I'm still astonished people are enjoying the channel so much. I'm very appreciative!

[@markstanton2926]

Hi Sean Good job mate. Re the pounding or puddling my suggestion would be a French drain 18"x24 with perforated pipe or pipes and large clean stone all in fabric and run it out to the creek. I wouldn't add material to the ground it's just going to displace the water elsewhere. Use the French drain and remove the water from the ground. Good luck Happy new year from UK

[@GCFD]

I agree that may be a good solution here.Thanks for watching!

[@ryanwaltos2206]

After basement flooded twice within two months of us moving into our house fourteen years ago, we completely tore up yard, graded it & got rid of the crown, old pine trees and added underground downspout drainage that went to either the street or bubblers that were well on the down side of the slope. We were able to finish the basement and other upgrades with NO water issues since. Regular maintenance and vigilance have maintained our work.

[@GCFD]

That's an awesome story! It's what we try to do with every job - provide a system with lasting results. Thanks for watching and commenting! - Shawn

[@theotherbrock787]

Good job. Seems like some cement in the driveway or flattened stone/powder would help the driveway.

[@avs9800]

That’s a crunchy tune 🎶

[@GCFD]

👍

[@chinov9445]

What’s up Shawn great work like always now the homeowner has to make sure the gutters stays clean not clod up with leaves 🍁 so you’re system works flawlessly it looks like all their gutters are full of leaves 🍁🤦🏽‍♂️

[@GCFD]

Any leaf that gets into my pipe gets blown out with the next rain. The gutters staying clean helps everything and helps keep the gutter from overflowing. 👍

[@Stratos53100]

@@GCFD This whole site was a complete mess it seems, the whole location needed/needs the grading done, the front there w the leftover defin. needs more dirt and the slope going out to that other edge. They could also benefit from a proper gravel driveway looks like its a muddy mess. A lot of work with the whole lot / bunch of toys.

[@HappilyHomicidalHooligan]

One way you might be able to solve the driveway puddling (assuming it can be done) is dig out the driveway gravel and turn the entire driveway into one MASSIVE French Drain (make the gravel layer extra thick to protect the perforated PVC from the weight of the vehicles)...

[@GCFD]

Great idea!

[@mdjrboyvb]

There is a product call TrueGrid (lots of similar products) that are good for stabilizing gravel and grass for driveways. Can sustain very heavy loads. I wonder if that would work to distribute the weight enough to prevent the schedule 40 from getting crushed. www.truegridpaver.com

[@MrLogic420]

I totally enjoy watching your videos and the follow up after a rain is incredible. I was curious why you cut the PVC at a sharp angle right before it daylights? The rip rap type of rocks near the daylight pipe is a nice feature. Is the cut PVC for aesthetics, or does it have a function? Thanks

[@GCFD]

Thank you Kenneth! The custom cut is just for looks.

[@10tenman10]

I can see the slope away from the house. Should they not make some sort of (stone) frame around the upper window?

[@GCFD]

I think they are planning to do something around the window. + some gutters.

[@jimanderson4495]

Hi Sean. Do you make your customers understand they MUST keep their gutters clean?

[@GCFD]

Yes for sure. But, the systems are designed to maintain flow. Conservation of energy type stuff. This means they have a good bit of energy from the falling water to help keep debris blown out. Combine that with the smooth wall of the PVC any debris that enters our systems gets blown out by the next heavy rain. I give a guarantee that the pipes won't clog and haven't had any problems yet.

[@altonfindley6964]

I realize there is no mortar joint and it is a poured wall. But why no tar or ??? On wall before backfill ??? Other than that i really like your work. Keep it up god bless you and your crew !

[@GCFD]

There shouldn't be any water holding against the wall so ne real need for tar. This customer has reported back 100% results from this job. 👍

[@TK-rf9th]

Would a catch basin that was tied into the gutter nearby that was placed in front of the door have been the better choice despite the added cost opposed to the small retaining wall?

[@GCFD]

Great point to consider TK. I would rather keep the water away from the door instead of inviting it into a CB near the door. That's usually the main consideration I have when making these types of decisions, but there are many ways to do this stuff. 👍

[@theotherbrock787]

What degree is slope would a full bubble be? Is a full bubble the ideal situation?

[@larrymartensmartens1044]

Doing these different jobs names some the shrubs and trees that root hairs enter corrugated plastics pipes.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@10tenman10]

The front of the house and driveway are still big problems

[@GCFD]

At least they are not flooding the basement.

[@wendymorrison5803]

The customer didnt go for a grate drain in front of the basement door. For extra security in big rain events?

[@GCFD]

I didn't offer to do one. I felt good about re-grading away from the basement door. So far he's seen 100% success and they have moved back into the basement. The son is happy to have his old room back!

[@zahirkhan778]

How would you deal with things like this but there is no way to bring in machinery in?

[@GCFD]

They make trenchers that are the size of push mowers. Check out the groundhog t4 (that's what I have) for small spaces.

[@zahirkhan778]

@@GCFD Amazing!

[@Deucealive75]

I wonder what the companies that suggested pumps think about this?

[@GCFD]

I don't know but pumping water after it has invaded the foundation seems like the last resort...

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

Why not put window wells in with drains tied into the pipe then you ciuld have brought the level up higher. Looks like any snow would go up right on the window.?

[@GCFD]

The pipe would have to be considerably deeper to drain window wells. We don't get much snow around here in NC.

[@rickwhitescarver8526]

@@GCFD thanks for the explanation. We probably do get more snow here in WV. :-)

[@Rusty_Gold85]

You need a H style stick for your spirit level so you dont have to bend down into the trench . That house really had land slope design problem defied all logic the way it was

[@GCFD]

👍

[@Warcity777]

Those leaves are holding a lot of water them selves.

[@GCFD]

👍

[@larrymartensmartens1044]

What kind seed and hay do you buy?

[@GCFD]

I buy seed from Lowes. Tall fescue and I get the hay from a local christmas tree farm. I buy hundreds of bales and he stores it in his barn until I need some.

[@kristinaswanson6063]

Fully support the concept of building up the dirt slope to drain water away from the building walls. However, you need to be very very careful to remain within the moisture prevention design of the building and not place dirt higher than the damp proof course and moisture barriers, and keep the vents open.

[@GCFD]

Great point! In this case the customer already spent more on water damage mitigation than he did on our solution so he was good with increasing his termite regime in exchange for no more flooding..

[@tcb069]

great videos , very informative. how do you like the kubota kx91-3 ? i have an offer on one to buy , thanks

[@GCFD]

Thank you Mustang! I would only buy it if it's got a factory hydraulic thumb. Other than making sure it has a thumb you can't go wrong with Kubota. Both my Kubota mini excavators are fantastic machines.

[@maplenook]

Voiceovers are great. Not music.

[@thenightlifenj1]

Judging by the condition of the property I’d bet they don’t take care of the property very well. No attempt at any lawn care, maintains the beds, or anything really. Those gutters have to be clogged too.

[@GCFD]

The previous owner let the property go. The current owners got the property for a smoking deal and are fixing it up. The drainage solution was a major checkpoint in this restoration plans.