Good points about the fabric barrier—it's easy to underestimate how quickly clay can clog things up. Your folks' experience makes sense; doing it right from the start usually pays off, even if it's a bit messy initially. Definitely worth considering for long-term peace of mind.
Fabric barriers are definitely helpful, especially with clay-heavy soil, but another thing to consider is the actual drainage path you're creating. I've seen a lot of setups where folks underestimate the slope needed for proper drainage. Even with a good barrier, if your slope isn't sufficient, water can pool up and cause issues down the line.
When I worked on a similar project last summer, we ended up digging a slightly deeper trench than initially planned, then layering gravel beneath the fabric barrier. It was a bit more work upfront, but it really helped channel the water away efficiently. The gravel layer beneath the fabric gave the water somewhere to go quickly, reducing the chance of clogging significantly.
Another thing to think about is where exactly you're directing the water. Are you planning to let it disperse naturally into the yard, or are you considering a dry well or drainage pit? Depending on your yard's size and layout, a dry well can be a great solution. It's basically a pit filled with gravel or crushed stone that allows water to slowly seep into the ground without flooding your lawn. I've installed a few of these, and they've worked surprisingly well—even in heavy rains.
One thing I'd caution against is relying solely on surface drainage. Even with fabric barriers and gravel, heavy clay soils can saturate quickly, and surface runoff might still become an issue. If your yard slopes toward your house or patio, you might inadvertently create new problems. I've seen that happen more than once, unfortunately.
Have you considered installing a French drain system alongside your fabric barrier? It might seem like overkill at first, but combining these methods can really provide peace of mind in the long run. Curious if anyone here has experience combining these methods or if you've found success with just one or the other...
Good points about slope and drainage paths—I've seen a lot of folks underestimate that too. French drains combined with gravel and fabric barriers have saved me headaches more than once. Definitely worth the extra effort upfront to avoid bigger issues later on.
French drains are definitely a lifesaver—I've installed a bunch myself, and they're usually worth the hassle. But one thing I've noticed is that sometimes folks overlook where all that water ends up. Had a client once who put in a great drainage system, but it ended up flooding his neighbor's flower beds... not exactly neighbor-of-the-year material, haha.
Have you thought about maybe redirecting some of the pool water into rain barrels or storage tanks? Could be handy for watering the garden later, especially if you're in an area with water restrictions. Just gotta make sure you have enough capacity to handle the volume from your pool. Curious if anyone here's tried something similar and how it worked out.
"Had a client once who put in a great drainage system, but it ended up flooding his neighbor's flower beds... not exactly neighbor-of-the-year material, haha."
Haha, yeah, I've seen something similar happen. A few years back, I was flipping a property with a pool that needed draining before we could resurface it. Thought I'd be clever and set up a temporary hose system to direct the water into the street gutter. Seemed foolproof at first—until the city showed up asking why the street was suddenly a mini river. Turns out there were local ordinances against draining pool water directly into storm drains without proper treatment.
Ended up installing a small holding tank and slowly releasing the water into the landscaping over several days. It was tedious, but it worked out pretty well in the end. Rain barrels or storage tanks sound like a solid idea too, especially if you can reuse the water later. Just make sure to check your local regulations first—trust me, it's easier than dealing with annoyed city inspectors knocking on your door...