From Flooded to Functional: Transforming a Troubled Driveway with Smart Drainage Solutions

The Problem:

The home is situated downhill from the street, water runoff travels throughout the yard. A broken, narrow driveway is a result of the runoff erosion. Uneven pathways make it difficult to park and travel. The existing driveway is pitched towards the home, allowing water to flow into the garage and impedes access to the front door. The existing drainage system is clogged and not functional. Several trees, some cut to stumps, have grown through the sides of the driveway. These root systems have undermined the existing drive and have jeopardized its integrity. 

The Plan:

Removing the existing drive and walkway will allow for corrected grading to occur, pitching the new installation away from the house (as best as possible). New channel drains fixed into the new driveway, located at trouble spots along the driveway and at the garage entrance. A complete drainage system, incorporating the channel drain outlets, downspouts, and existing catch basin locations, will collect runoff from the street before it gets to the home. Removing a large tree at the garage entrance of the property allows for a wider driveway to be installed. Removing some small trees at the corner of the home allows for easier traversing around the lot. Installing a wider driveway, pitching the path away from the home, supports the drainage system by channeling flow to “catching” apparatuses. By reworking the grade of the property, the step at the front door can be removed and a smoother “ramp” can be installed to not only support the drainage system design but also to improve accessibility to the door. 

The Solution:

A complete removal of the existing driveway was completed, and debris was removed. The path of the new driveway was prepared: stumps and trees were removed, dirt was moved and leveled to grade the pitch of the driveway, and drainage components (that were required to be placed before the driveway) were installed. After preparation, the new driveway was installed, wider in front of the garage and wider at the two entrance aprons at the culvert retaining walls. Once set, the backyard drainage was installed and completed. New sod was installed throughout the property to repair trenches and work paths.