solving the ditch problem...

[ModerateRepZero]

Alright, I live in a house that's on flat land and in times of heavy rain it floods into the basement. Fortunately it's only happened a handful of times so far, but it's a pita to clean up each time it does. Worst was the Nor'easter a year or two ago (ugh).

I know a sump pump is one option to handle basement flooding, but I was wondering if there was a way to divert water from a gutter or dirt trench at the back of the house to the sidewalk, and what'd be involved (ie permits?).

sssssss_-_-
_________
[ssssssssss] G =
sssssssssss ===

I don't have a ftp server or anything so this is the best i can do. There's the house, and in back of it towards the right side is a curved, dirt trench. G = garden and the equal sign below and to the right of it is the fence.

*Edit* ugh the symbols aren't measuring up well so I put up nonsense "s" to move the characters. Ignore the S and you'll figure out the diagram

No cliffs you lazy scoundrels!

 

[BoomerD]

Can't make heads nor tails of your "drawing." Why don't ya try it in something like Paint?

In MOST places, you are responsible for your own run-off water and can't just drain it into the gutters.

That being said, I have a "french drain" in my back yard and down the side of the house to carry excess water to the street, as do many of my neighbors. Technically, it's illegal, but the city hasn't said anything...yet.

 

[mugs]

Draw a picture, put it on pics.bbzzdd.com or flikr or whatever

Without understanding what's going on... yeah you can dig dirt trenches (swales) to direct the water, but you need some slope to get it to go anywhere. You can also use buried PVC pipe to take the water from your gutter farther away from the house, but again you need some slope.

You can plant a rain garden and direct the water to it
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_garden