Hi Moms!
My house came with the majority of the backyard in the side but is sort of downhill and I can't put any outdoor toys for my girls like slides, swings because is uneven for those kind of toys. My husband said it needs to be like that for drainage. My question is: Does really have a purpose or is because the builder decided to elevate the house just because? I really will like to use that space with my little girls. What can I do?
Thanks!
You could create a retainer wall to make a flat area -- that will have drainage holes.
I used Action Sprinklers because they were checked out for knowing how to do good drainage when leveling my yard but you may need someone who's good at retaining walls with guarantees too I presume. Call around, get free quotes, check Angie's List for good refernces. Don't ever do without because you didn't question is my motto.
Sounds like our yard!
We got several quotes on leveling the side yard, which actually was going to involve either building a retaining wall and back-filling or terracing the yard. Either way is it was going to cost $20,000- $30,000 to do it. We are trying to sell, so the next owners can do it!
You could have an engineer come out and evaluate the property. It would cost a couple hundred probably but well worth it since you would then actually be able to use the property. I saw a show on HGTV a long time ago where the house had a sloped yard behind it. They did have drainage issues but in the end, they put in a wall that allowed correct drainage and a flower garden (no kids for the young couple). The slope still existed beyond the wall but not problems otherwise. This could in the end give value to your house and well worth the cost if you will stay in the home for several more years. It is at least worth calling around and looking into.
Be careful what you do....drainage is a major thing and if you have someone do it that does not pay attention to what is necessary not just your yard but how the entire neighborhood drains you can invalidate your foundation warranty and could cause flooding for your neighbors....I worked several years for a new home builder and saw a lot of problems created by those that were supposed to know...if it is a new neighborhood or you know the builder - ask for suggestions....you might also look into having a play station built that works with the slope....sort of on levels.....good luck
Your husband and the builder are both correct. The grade of the soil should slope away from the foundation, but it was the builder's choice not to build a retaining wall and backfill the yard to provide a somewhat-level yard suitable for playing. The slope of the land was already there; the builder had to build-up the foundation pad to make it level. It was just cheaper not to do the yard as well. Your option is to build a retaining wall and bring in dirt or you can also build a deck out over the slope.
