rain runoff from neighbor (house, garden, safe)

[Pupmom]

Recently bought a home in a development that is 2 years old. Everytime it rains, the water from the neighbors house runs into my yard- we are unable to grow plants, (even grass)etc because of the runoff. I did speak with the builder. We were told it is because the neighbors chose not to have gutters installed, (which was an option), therefore the water drains into my yard. Previous owners were elderly, didn't worry about the yard. As soon as the weather started getting warmer we noticed this problem.

Any suggestions? We haven't discussed with the neighbors yet, but we will in the very near future. Looking for solutions that will make everyone happy.

[nm9stheham]

Good approach.. to try to make it all good for everyone.

So is the case that the neighbors house and yard are all uphill from yours? If so, then if gutters with suitable drains on their lot may help but may not cure it all.. and they may not agree to spend their $$ for your sake.

At the lot line, you can have an undersurface drain installed (known as a French drain), to capture the water coming down the hill right at the lot line. Of course, there needs to be a lower spot to which that new drain line can take the water.

[Boicpl]

Id second looking into a French drain. I’ve noticed people using irrigation water go crazy with it because it’s so cheap. My neighbor for example lol

[nowhereman427]

I have same problem with neighbor behind me and higher above me. Except the water is coming through the paver stone retaining wall and not draining into the french drains that are below the paver stone retaining wall. It is coming from their sprinkler system.

I will have to go over there again and inform them for the 3rd time over a period of a few years.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

It has nothing to do with your neighbor's gutter system. It's because your house is lower than theirs, and possibly because the developer didn't grade the lots properly. Although there isn't much the developer can do about the fact that water runs downhill.


You can put in a drain system to run the water past your yard, but there must be a lower spot to drain it to.

[banjomike]

A good landscaper might be of help.

That runoff could be a valuable resource for you. Terracing or something might be able to control it so the water can be used on your own greenery instead of just going down a French drain and lost.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by banjomike

A good landscaper might be of help.

That runoff could be a valuable resource for you. Terracing or something might be able to control it so the water can be used on your own greenery instead of just going down a French drain and lost.

Exactly what I was thinking.
But he told me it is from leaving on their sprinklers too long over the years so it would probably be easier I make my annual visit again.

[TohobitPeak]

Figure out how to harness that water and determine if you can use it for your benefit such as watering your garden or potted plants. Of course this is dependent on if the neighbor uses environmentally safe products on their property.

[CAHntr]

Originally Posted by banjomike

A good landscaper might be of help.

That runoff could be a valuable resource for you. Terracing or something might be able to control it so the water can be used on your own greenery instead of just going down a French drain and lost.

I like this idea. Lemonade from lemons.