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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

Drainage idea for greenhouse.

6 years ago

Bought our new house last Feb. Greenhouse had recently 1 1/2" of water in it. We had two freak hardcore flooding downfalls which aren't to common the way this went down. Anyhow we live in a subdivision and have neighbors behind us, which apparently means there gutters and some the lack of flow down towards us! All fenced yards so wasn't aware of that when placing the greenhouse in it's spot. It's not a low area but perfectly flat one.
A lot of construction still going on in the neighborhood and had a idea. What if I got some large diameter PVC pipes that they are throwing away from house builds. Drilled holes in them, buried them a foot inside my greenhouse with gravel and dirt. Like a French drain system. Have them run out away from the greenhouse. Would this solve any possible water issues?

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Comments (7)

GeorgeLiv
6 years ago
I am not sure is it solve your problems with drainage rain water. Would be best if you use some of drainage sump pump system automatic or manual ... based on your budget.
beesneeds
6 years ago
I don't know if it will fix the drainage problem... but it probably couldn't hurt to try it and see what happens- especially if you get the materials for free.

Though I'm curious as to why you would do this inside the greenhouse instead of outside it.. Wouldn't it be better to try to get drainoff diverted before it comes into the greenhouse?
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I think your intuition about using gravel and stepping stones is a smart one. Based on the weather patterns you mentioned, this area is always going to be a problem. I probably wouldn't rip up the tiled section (under the cover) you already have unless that is problematic. Instead of a garden bed along that back wall (where your garden will always be muddy during the tropical part of the year), maybe you could have some benches custom built with openings for potted plants that can be moved when the torrential rains come? Something like this, but with longer benches and smaller openings for the potted plants: The areas for the potted plants don't have to be concrete, the whole thing could be open slatted wood and you just have openings for the plants. I don't live in an area with weather like you do, but if I weren't sure what would be smart plant purchases I'd probably ask at a nursery. It appears you have a tree off in the distance. If you or friends and family are handy with tools and wood, you could also build a pergola between the fence & the exiting covered structure for more shade if you wanted it.
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You need a rain garden!!! You can direct the flow of water with a "dry riverbed" arrangement, and plant things that can handle both wet and dry conditions. Search online for wildlife-friendly ideas.
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@Todd Haiman: Thank you for the comment. So far it looks like it's mostly low spots in the yard due to the carport sloping towards the house, but my main issue was that if I were to make it level, I don't know if the water would go somewhere else and settle or whether I have to add something so it can drain better. That's mainly why I want a proffesional to design the yard so I could have a nice look that also solves the problem without creating even more. @Patricia Colwell: Thank you as well! I didn't think of that, I will see what kind of estimates I can get then after deciding what kind of look I want for the yard. Now I'm tossing around tearing out most of the grass and creating a modern gravel/zen garden type look....
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I should add that the stepping stones to the left on the second image, the ones that go around the half circle bed in the bottom left corner, along with the decomposed granite depicted in that area are existing. I was looking for a way to tie everything together with the same materials if possible. Existing patio along the bottom edge of the image is just a gigantic slab of concrete done in several sections. Also, this is a traditional style home. And boy, if you don't post a really hot topic, you fall off page one of this board quickly, don't you?
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
whether a french drain will work.. depends on soil type ...

and if there was so much rain.. the soil couldnt take it in ...

then were exactly will the french drain put the water ..????? .. wouldnt it just be moving it to a place that is already inundated???

i would hate to see the drain.. bring more water into the structure ./...

i agree that prevention is the key here .. plus.. not over reacting to once a decade storms ...

it might also help to know some specifics on the GH .. like is it attached to the house.. etc ... you are kinda vague.. on the whole setup ... a pic might be worth a thousand words .... it doesnt have to be a pic of it full of water ... that part is easy to figure out.. lol ...

ken

BTW : why was the water a problem???? it didnt stay there for days or weeks.. did it???
banananc36
Original Author
6 years ago
Yes that's true I would want it on the outside.
Well living by the coast an hurricane's always being a issue with rain,it could happen again. I have a pedastale heater inside during the winter so don't want that frying. Don't want my plants that are on the floor sitting in water again.
It's a HFGH the 6ft by 8ft model. It's fastened to a wood frame and that frame is on bricks. Supports on all four cornors are cemented into the ground.
Yes with the area being flat water moving away from the greenhouse could build up an come back. But the rest of the yard near the greenhouse was not underwater though. Have to wait till it's lighter outside for pictures.
banananc36
Original Author
6 years ago
Ps. Water dried up in a few hrs. But still don't want it in there.
banananc36
Original Author
6 years ago
Here is pic
banananc36
Original Author
6 years ago
This is the front.

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