Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 04, 1999 06:10pm | #1

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   How big is the slab? Is it pitched toward the house because the backfill settled? Or because the yard generally grades that way? It sounds like cutting in a 6" or 8" trench drain is what you want to do. A curtain drain means a trench and a backhoe right next to your house, quite invasive and doesn't fit your description. More info needed.

   -Rob

1. 
   Guest_ | Jan 04, 1999 06:48pm | #2

   *I would think that you would have longer lived, more permanent, and lower maintenance solution to replace slab with one pitched away from house. Slab jacking or a new topping if there's enough elevation may be less expensive route to same ends.

2. 
   m_duval | Jan 12, 1999 07:52am | #3

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   Sound like the soil under the slab next to the house was not compacted when backfilled. Differential settlement caused slab to drain to house. A curtaindrain is typically used to drain groundwater. It is a trench excavated to an elevation lower than the thing you want to protect. The trench is filled with crushed stone or washed gravel with a perforated pipe at the bottom. The pipe is outletted somewhere down hill or into a basin with a pump. This drain is not appropriate for your situation. The trench drain will work but requires maintenance on your part. I like replacing the slab.

3. 
   tom_ | Jan 12, 1999 07:52am | #4

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   After recently purchasing a new residence I have learned that the pitch of a concrete patio on the high end of a structure is pitched toward the structure. Water builds against the two sliding doors and penetrate after a rain. Friends have mentioned the potential of a curtain drain and this sound good but I do not really know what one is. Any help would be appreciated.