Finding Out Why the Planter Box Was Holding Water
Our team attended a property in Burwood NSW 1805 to investigate a planter box that had become flooded and was no longer draining effectively.
The accumulated water was removed and plants were temporarily relocated so the drainage beneath the garden could be accessed. A small section was then excavated to expose the floor waste drain at the base of the planter box.
The investigation focused on whether geotextile fabric was restricting the drain opening, whether the downstream drainage was clear, and whether the hose tap or irrigation supply could be contributing additional water.
Where required, the drain could also be cleared with a high-pressure water jetter and inspected using a CCTV drain camera.
Restoring Drainage Around the Floor Waste
Once the floor waste was exposed, obstructing geotextile material could be removed and the drainage area rebuilt.
New geotextile fabric was positioned around the floor waste, with blue metal drainage aggregate installed to create a more permeable area around the outlet.
This helps water move through the soil towards the drain instead of remaining trapped within saturated ground. The geotextile also helps prevent surrounding soil from migrating into the drainage aggregate and restricting the outlet.
Adding Weep Holes as a Backup Drainage Path
The planter box was also provided with a secondary drainage option.
A series of weep holes approximately 100–200mm above ground level were to be installed through the end of the planter towards the adjacent garden bed.
The floor waste remains the primary drainage point, while the weep holes provide another escape route if the water level rises significantly in the future.
This helps reduce the risk of the planter simply filling with water if the primary outlet becomes restricted again.
Reinstating the Planter Box
Once the drainage work was completed, new topsoil could be installed and the temporarily removed plants and bushes returned to the planter.
The system was then tested to confirm water could drain from the planter as intended, with remaining excavated material and trade waste removed from the work area.
Rather than simply pumping out the flooded planter, the work addressed the drainage pathway underneath it and provided an additional overflow route for excess water.
Related Drainage Services
Pure Plumbing Professionals provides Stormwater Drainage, Blocked Drain Cleaning and CCTV Drain Inspections throughout Burwood and surrounding Sydney suburbs.
These services can help investigate waterlogged garden areas, blocked outdoor drains, floor wastes and other drainage problems where water is no longer moving away effectively.
