Good call on permeable paving—I did something similar on a flip last year. French drains alone helped, but once we added permeable surfaces, the yard stopped turning into a swamp after heavy rains. Plus, it looked way better than concrete slabs everywhere...definitely worth the extra effort.
Totally agree on permeable paving—just finished my first reno in a flood-prone spot, and it made a huge difference. A couple things I noticed:
- French drains were good, but pairing them with permeable surfaces was the real game changer.
- Gravel grids worked great for me—easy to install and held up surprisingly well.
- One thing I'd add: don't underestimate good landscaping. Native plants helped soak up excess water naturally and looked pretty nice too.
Definitely worth the extra planning and effort...
Good points all around, especially about native landscaping. I've been restoring a historic property in a flood-prone area for the past decade, and one thing I've learned is that you can't rely solely on structural solutions. French drains and permeable paving are definitely helpful, but it's equally important to consider how your property interacts with surrounding land.
For instance, I initially underestimated the importance of grading. Even slight adjustments to slope and elevation around the foundation made a noticeable difference in water runoff during heavy rains. Also, if you're dealing with an older home like mine, double-check your gutters and downspouts regularly—clogged or improperly directed runoff can undo all your careful landscaping and drainage work surprisingly fast.
I haven't personally tried gravel grids yet, but now I'm intrigued... might look into those next time I tackle the driveway. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Totally agree about grading—made a huge difference for me too. One thing I'd add is to keep an eye on your neighbor's runoff. I spent months fixing my drainage only to realize half the water was coming from next door... ended up having a friendly chat and we worked out a simple berm solution. Saved me from spending extra on more drains or paving.
Good point on the neighbor runoff—I hadn't thought much about that angle before. Curious how you approached the berm solution exactly... did you just pile up some soil and plant grass, or was it more structured with landscaping fabric or stones? I'm dealing with a similar issue right now, and while I've got the grading sorted, I'm noticing a sneaky little stream coming from next door every heavy rain. Wouldn't mind skipping the extra drainage work if I can!
