Post your photos here in the comments.

Some of this depends on the rainfall in your area, how well your soil drains and if you have a natural drainage pattern to your property.

Generally the best solution is one where the grade naturally guides water away from the home. That type of solution doesn't get overwhelmed by large rainfall, a clogged drain, saturated soil, etc.

Only go with systems such as French drains, that depend on water percolating through the soil, if your soil actually drains, and if you don't have long heavy rains and if that becoming overwhelmed won't result in damage (flooded home, for example). Otherwise use a trench drain that flows to a low spot away from the home.

Keep in mind that you want it as maintenance free as possible. Make it oversized to deal with large runoff and it needs to be easy to clean out.

Thanks! could i top the section up with top soil on the left side so it drains into the trench drain?

If i put a trench drain in, do i have to cut the conrete or can i just put it on the edge of the concrete?

Thank you for the detailed response!

Here is a diagram of how the trench drain and downpipes flow to the soakwell in the backyard.

“would not cut the porch to install a trench drain, as you will still have water pouring over the front edge of porch.“ Can you pleasse elaborate? The porch slopes away from the house so wouldnt the water flow back into the trench drain?

”but when you can't regrade and have pooling” can i regrade the area between the path and the driveway so it slopes from left to right down to the existing trench drain?

“You can install a trench drain right next to the porch all the way across (piped under the sidewalk to connect each side)” is that even possible? Would the water be able to travel downwards and back up? Do you think it would be better to connect these new trench drains with the downpipe on the front left hand corner of the house?

“If you have the depth to gravity drain a french drain pipe (to the drywell or daylight) then I would also install that all the way across.” Is this in addition to the new trench drain or instead? Would this connect into the existing trench drain or maybe the down pipe?

Also this is what i was quoted:

”Begin by using shovels to dig down and excavate trench along frontside of concrete pathway at front of property from edge of driveway to left hand side corner. Set up and use concrete saw and jack hammer to cut section of concrete across pathway for new channel and grate location. Dig down and expose existing stormwater service on left hand side of property at base of downpipe. Dig down and expose area at corner of front garden on left hand side at lowest point for new pit location. Once exposed mix up and lay concrete bedding into trench. Supply and install approximately 5m of channel and grate and position in trench falling towards left hand side. Once set into position backfill around channel and grate using existing soils. Finish trench level and dispose of any excess soils. Supply and install new stormwater pit in left hand corner. Set stormwater pit to the appropriate height. Concrete base of stormwater pit to the correct height required. Supply and install new section of PVC stormwater pipe in trench to connect new channel and grate and stormwater pit to existing stormwater near base of existing downpipe. Seal all PVC fittings and concrete around fittings as required. Backfill new stormwater drainage with the correct drainage gravel and compact. Finish backfilling trenches with existing soils. Finish trench level and dispose of any excess soils. Set up ladder and height equipment to access guttering above garage area. Cut out section of gutter to install dropper. Supply and install new 90mm round dropper to gutter and seal. Supply and install new PVC downpipe to ground. Variation can be added to dig up existing stormwater on right hand side near new downpipe to connect to pipework underground”

What I am reading from your quote is proposing to add a new trench drain along the front of porch, and cutting through the sidewalk to make it continuous. Then it is dumping on the left side into a new "stormwater pit" at the left corner. The new trench drain flows into this new pit, then the pit connects to existing underground pipe taking the existing corner downspout water all the way to an existing drywell in the backyard. The existing driveway trench drain has nothing to do with anything. Also they are adding another downspout to an existing gutter at the garage.

I don't see why you need a new pit to collect a new trench drain (unless you have heavy debris entering the trench drain). Just connect directly to the downspout underground piping. Also, there doesn't need to be any gravel placed around a solid pipe carrying water, nor do you need to concrete around joints in a PVC pipe. And the new garage downspout should connect to existing underground piping, since all the others do (accepting the bid's "variation").

Your questions about my statements:

- You had asked about cutting concrete or putting it on the edge instead, I interpreted that as you would continue the driveway trench in-line on the backside of the columns by cutting the porch concrete. My answer was don't do it, and your bid is not suggesting that anyway.

- You could choose to regrade between the sidewalk and driveway to use the existing driveway trench drain. But I wouldn't as it will look exactly like it does now with pooling, because your porch slopes downward away from house. My comment on regrading is in regards to the entire front yard is sloping towards the house, and some of that area is corralled between the driveway and sidewalk, so regrading will not direct water anywhere. You could only regrade to slope towards a new surface drain.

- Connecting under the sidewalk (rather than cutting the sidewalk) could be possible depending on the depth of existing downspout pipe tie-in. Trench drains can discharge on the side or bottom depending on the style you choose.

- The french drain suggestion (french drain is underground) was in addition to all this surface draining. If your grade is sloping down towards the house, there is underground water moving towards the house.