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Updated almost 3 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

32
Posts
17
Votes
Chad Clark
  • Investor
  • Mancelona, MI
17
Votes |
32
Posts

Negative grade on driveway making a lake. Suggestions needed

Chad Clark
  • Investor
  • Mancelona, MI
Posted

    I have 2 rentals (both houses) with driveways that have a negative grade.   Since I am in Michigan, we get a lot of snow.   So come spring, it makes a lake at the lowest point of the driveway.    One just floods, but at least it's concrete so it's workable till it dries.   The other is gravel and turns into a swampland making it a serious pain pulling in.  

The concrete one, I would just like to have it drain so it doesn't look so bad.   It's like 3 inches of water.  Plus, it's probably extending the life of my driveway.    Luckily, the low spot is next to the yard so digging isn't a big deal.   Problem is this town has no rain drainage so I'd end up getting ALL of the rain water from the road as well, most likely overloading some simple trench drain.  

The other that's dirt needs a serious fix.    Also, it has no nearby place to drain the water to.  I'm starting to think my only answer is to put in a concrete driveway higher than the water line gets.  It would be expensive though.  Adding gravel just wouldn't cut it I think.   It would just be underwater gravel.   Stupid town and the lack of rain drainage.  

Any idea welcome.  I'm kind of at a loss here. 

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

667
Posts
490
Votes
Malcomb Stapel
  • Investor
  • Topeka, KS
490
Votes |
667
Posts
Malcomb Stapel
  • Investor
  • Topeka, KS
Replied

@Chad Clark  don't blame the town for the properties you purchased. That's on you. However, the gravel one may be the easiest to deal with as you won't need to cut concrete to install your drain. Have you had a local excavator come out and walk the properties with you? Some of those guys deal with that stuff all of the time and could probably offer you some ideas for remediation. 

  • Malcomb Stapel
  • Loading replies...