More work on the garden
#1
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
More work on the garden
Well, more of landscaping. We have a problem here in spring with our septic tank. Everything gets so wet that the septic tank starts to leak in to the basement. And then the house don't smell so good. Last year I put down some plastic to help keep the snow and water away from the house. It worked for a while, until it was all shredded by the dog and wind. Then the basement started to leak again. So I decided this year I'm going to do it right. Last week I picked up the right plastic and some stakes. I laid it all out, staked it down, and got about 1200 pounds of cobble stones to border it. I planned to get gravel this weekend. Who knew the worst wind storm in 12 years would come threw and last for 2 days. We had winds nearing 80 MPH. And being in the country we had little to brake the wind. My work didn't hold up real good.
I was able to get just over a ton of gravel in each load. 3 loads total so far, I'm a little short, so another load next week.
I put it all back best I could.
Got the first load down.
Here it is after 3 loads. I ran just short on the lower left hand side, and the area up by the house.
here'* the approach to the house.
Another view. I plan to add some large flat flag stones to make some level areas. On there I have a pagoda fountain and I want to get some other things, like a statue, bird bath, and perhaps a large banzai tree that'* in a pot. I don't want anything growing threw the plastic. And I really want to get a large moat dragon, that would rock.
Things are really starting to come around. Next year I need to reseal the parking lot.
I was able to get just over a ton of gravel in each load. 3 loads total so far, I'm a little short, so another load next week.
I put it all back best I could.
Got the first load down.
Here it is after 3 loads. I ran just short on the lower left hand side, and the area up by the house.
here'* the approach to the house.
Another view. I plan to add some large flat flag stones to make some level areas. On there I have a pagoda fountain and I want to get some other things, like a statue, bird bath, and perhaps a large banzai tree that'* in a pot. I don't want anything growing threw the plastic. And I really want to get a large moat dragon, that would rock.
Things are really starting to come around. Next year I need to reseal the parking lot.
#6
Retired
Dan, if only part of your basement walls are seeping,(upper) then a French drain might help. If its the lower, maybe a more drastic measure of removing the soil down to the basement floor and tarring the outside wall should work. Its work, but a long time investment.
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
#7
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
The basement here is all field stone. This is a very old house. The problem seems to be saturated soil. During summer, fall and winter we have no problems. It'* only spring when the snow melts and when it rains really hard. What I did here is make it so nearly no water can get to the soil within 100 feet of the house. That'* the only corner of the house that I have problems with.
#8
Administratus Emeritus
Certified Car Nut
It'* a garden. A rock garden. Water them well and take them the western Michigan when they grow. People there will pay good money for them.
#9
Retired
I see 2 downspouts pointing right toward your problem area.
And where your A/C unit is, it looks like a depression. Maybe build it up with more stone, lay plastic down, then add about 4 inches of top soil.
I had the same problem with a house I rented. Same basement walls, always wet. I ended up installing a French drain system and had to reroute 3 downspouts. Never had a problem after that.
And where your A/C unit is, it looks like a depression. Maybe build it up with more stone, lay plastic down, then add about 4 inches of top soil.
I had the same problem with a house I rented. Same basement walls, always wet. I ended up installing a French drain system and had to reroute 3 downspouts. Never had a problem after that.
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel