My weekend civil engineering projects

[Rogerson785]

Here are a few shots of my weekend civil engineering projects.

First I had to fix the trellis, it had become uneven and needed to be squared and brought closer to the climbing vine. Once I moved the trellis I then had to dig up and move the other climbing rose bush that is not fairing so well. After all that I checked my work and it was all level.









I then wanted to fix the washing machine drain that runs from the basement up and out in between the house and our neighbors lard. By code it should go into the septic tank, but since we live in the country codes are not strictly enforced.




I dug a hole that was large enough to place a bag of rocks at the bottom and then a five gallon bucket with holes drilled in the bottom and sides filled with rocks and sand to filter the waste water from the washing machine.

Then my next step is to extend the line to the center of the bucket and divert the pipe ninety degrees into the bucket. Basically this is what I would consider a run off drain or French drain. Take your pick in the long run this will keep the water from running into the neighbors’ yard with soap and bleach possibly killing parts of our yard.

French Drain


Run off Drain






Several years back I did a similar project with the rain gutter in the backyard, except I did not bury the gutter pipe. I used sand, gravel, and then very large slab stones to absorb the rainwater and after that I never had any problems with flooding in that certain spot in the backyard.

Now I can go and enjoy a well deserved drink.

[george7]

Now I can go and enjoy a well deserved drink.

Just don't drink out the same hole you throw your gray water in. Stick to the gray water in the bottle.

[Highlander31]

Nice work. Looks like the four legged supervisor has given his approval.

[JolyStNicholas]

From your kilt patch I see where you got your "hole digging degree"

"Semper Fi"

[Bugbear]

Very interesting.

I use all of the washing machine drain water and part of my house grey water out in the orchard etc. I have to be very careful what kinds of soaps and so on that I use, but it works out well. The rest of the out going waste water goes into septic then into a fairly deep dry well. Our grey water codes allow for this, though I live somewhat in no-man's-land.

Hope your project works well over time; sounds like a good layout.