Tough break with the city—been there, and it’s never fun when your “improvements” get flagged. Clay soil is a real bear for drainage, no doubt. I’ve dealt with a few properties where it seemed like the water just sat on top, taunting me.
Here’s what’s worked for me, step by step, without getting on the city’s radar: First, I use a long, flexible sump pump hose (the kind that collapses flat) and run it out to the lowest point on the property—usually somewhere near the curb, but not directly into the street. I snake it under shrubs or along fence lines, so it’s mostly hidden. Sometimes I’ll dig a shallow trench and toss some mulch over it, just to keep things looking tidy.
If you’ve got a spot with thirsty plants or a patch of lawn that’s always dry, aim the hose there and let the water trickle out slowly. It takes longer, but you avoid flooding and you’re not technically changing any drainage patterns. Not exactly elegant, but it keeps both the yard and the city happy... most of the time.
Man, I hear you on the city drama. Last time I tried to “improve” my backyard, I ended up with a stern letter and a soggy patch that looked like a swamp for weeks. That sump pump hose trick is gold though—I’ve even run mine under a fake rock once just to keep things sneaky. Ever tried those dry wells or gravel pits? I’ve been tempted but not sure if they’re worth the hassle or just another way to grow mosquitoes...
Dry wells are a mixed bag, honestly. I helped a friend install one last summer—looked great on paper, but it turned into a mosquito Airbnb after a few storms. If you go that route, make sure it drains fast or you’ll be hosting the neighborhood bugs. Gravel pits can work, but they’re a pain to dig and not exactly pretty if you care about the look of your yard. I’ve seen people disguise them with planters or even garden sculptures, though... kind of clever if you’re into that sort of thing.
I hear you on the mosquito issue with dry wells. I actually tried a gravel pit setup a couple years back for draining my above-ground pool, and honestly, the digging was way more work than I expected. The end result worked okay for drainage, but I had to tweak it a few times because the water would just sort of linger after heavy rain. I ended up tossing some river rock on top and planting some native grasses around it—kind of helped with the look, but I still catch myself wondering if there’s a better way.
Have you looked into using a French drain instead? I’ve seen some setups where people run a perforated pipe from the pool area out to a lower spot in the yard or even to the street (if local codes allow). It’s not invisible, but it does seem to move water away faster than just dumping it in a pit. Curious if anyone’s had luck with that, or if it just creates new headaches down the line...
French drains always *sound* like the smart move, right up until you realize you’re basically digging a moat around your house. I tried to DIY one for my soggy backyard and ended up with a trench that looked like a failed archaeological dig. It did help with water pooling, but now I’ve got a weird gravel strip running through my lawn that my dog thinks is his personal racetrack. If you go that route, just brace yourself for some creative landscaping afterward... and maybe invest in some knee pads.
