Damp Proofing

2005-2006 built end terrace, semi detached property with no obvious links to storm drainage?

Anonymous user 03/03/2024 - 3.47 PM

Hi. I currently live in an end terrace, semi detached 3 bedroom property built around 2005-2006 that has a 2 tiered, raised (top of the wall between the house and the first tier stands about 5 feet~ from ground level at the highest point) garden at the back that spans the back and side of the property with the first tier being 2-3 feet from the corner of the house - at the shortest point. At the side of the property, the garden slopes down to around ground level and extends further away from the house. A look around the exterior shows all downpipes reside on the border between my property and the neighbour's property at the back and front, although at the back it's on there side exclusively (fence boundary). Other than the pipework for the kitchen that runs out the front wall of the house and down into the ground, on the side and back, there's no visible - on the surface - signs of downpipes, drain units or channels. All that exists is a gap (varies in size) between the house and concrete slab and/or paving slabs with either gravel in or just a bit of baton (maybe 2 x 2 or 1 x 2) that's rotted. The same again then between the concrete slab/paving slabs and the garden/wall to the first tier of the garden, with the exception that it's all gravel but very shallow (maybe a couple of inches of gravel) We've had 3 days of heavy rain and the water pooled around the back of the house, particularly on the corner between the side and back to several inches deep at it's worst... as described above, there's no downpipe there. All guttering flow is redirected to downpipes between myself and my neighbour. The actual ground floor of the house is elevated 6 or more inches from the ground floor outside, as are the wall vents and patio doors but, there seems to be zero drainage other than what I described above so damp is an issue. Guttering has been replaced as it was damaged when I bought the property and fascias overcladded which has improved the situation, although we haven't had as heavy rains since doing that. I'm wondering what options there might be to improve the drainage and what a 'finger in the air' estimate might be for costs (my budget can't stretch beyond £4-£5k right now...)? Surely having drainage connected up to the storm drains or rainwater drains (not sure of the correct terminology) with perhaps channel units around the property would be a good idea?