Comments on: Can I put clay soil back under topsoil to reduce water pressure against my foundation? http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/ Blocked Drain Clearance Articles Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:19:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bethany Southall http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/comment-page-1/#comment-113 Bethany Southall Sun, 13 Jul 2008 13:21:40 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/#comment-113 sure,go for it. sure,go for it.

]]> By: Baylee Weir http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/comment-page-1/#comment-112 Baylee Weir Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:44:39 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/#comment-112 I recommend a similar approach on some of my projects. First, it is important to have drainage away from and around your foundation. That goes for the surface and subsurface. If you are in an area of clay, I suggest that you have a uniform thickness of porous (top) soil over a clay subgrade, the surface of which also slopes away from and around your foundation. It is also very important to have your sump pump system working correctly. I typically recommend having an additional 12 volt back up bildge pump in your sump pit on a trickle charge marine battery for when the power goes out. It is a lot of work, but it should of have been done that way in the first place. It doesn't make sense to let all your surface water perc through the porous top soil and then flow into your perimeter drainage and then have to transport it out through your sump pump system. I think you have the right concept. Good luck with it. I recommend a similar approach on some of my projects. First, it is important to have drainage away from and around your foundation. That goes for the surface and subsurface. If you are in an area of clay, I suggest that you have a uniform thickness of porous (top) soil over a clay subgrade, the surface of which also slopes away from and around your foundation.

It is also very important to have your sump pump system working correctly. I typically recommend having an additional 12 volt back up bildge pump in your sump pit on a trickle charge marine battery for when the power goes out.

It is a lot of work, but it should of have been done that way in the first place. It doesn’t make sense to let all your surface water perc through the porous top soil and then flow into your perimeter drainage and then have to transport it out through your sump pump system.

I think you have the right concept. Good luck with it.

]]> By: Kade Houghton http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/comment-page-1/#comment-111 Kade Houghton Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:11:48 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/#comment-111 Not a good idea. The water will be there anyway and the clay will allow more pressure to build in 'bad spots`. Better to keep the pumps in good repair. Not a good idea. The water will be there anyway and the clay will allow more pressure to build in ‘bad spots`.
Better to keep the pumps in good repair.

]]> By: Jerome Omar http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/comment-page-1/#comment-110 Jerome Omar Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:49:31 +0000 http://www.drainclearance.org/can-i-put-clay-soil-back-under-topsoil-to-reduce-water-pressure-against-my-foundation/#comment-110 my, that sounds like alot of work, although the theory is sound, i think; the clay would act as more of a barrier than more porous soil would. it might be easier at this point, tho, to just work on improving your mechanical drain mechanisms, perhaps install a french drain. my, that sounds like alot of work, although the theory is sound, i think; the clay would act as more of a barrier than more porous soil would. it might be easier at this point, tho, to just work on improving your mechanical drain mechanisms, perhaps install a french drain.

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