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Rubble Trench Mistake...

 
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Hi all,
I put up a 30ft yurt 4 years ago. It is situated on a rock wall I put together. Just rocks and mortar. I don't know why I thought to do this, but when I built the rock foundation I put in a french drain...directly under the rock wall.
The drain is a 6 inch perforated pipe that is surrounded by a 4 inch radius of clean crushed stone, wrapped in fabric to prevent sediment from clogging the drain.
My problem is that I obviously should have put this drain AROUND the foundation, and not UNDER the foundation.
As of right now, there have been no problems. The drain does move water and runs out back behind the yurt.
My issue is, the yurt has needed constant work. And still isnt done. I am unsure about continuing to invest in it, because now that I have more building experience I am more and more concerned the drain is going to cause a big problem.
Is this a huge concern? Its been fine for 4 years but do you think the drain could somehow collapse in and lead to my foundation cracking/crumbling?
Thanks for any input
 
steward
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Location: USDA Zone 8a
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Why has the Yurt needed constant work?  Does this have something to do with the foundation?

I have a French drain under a walkway for over ten years and it has not collapsed.
 
Amber Perry
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The foundation is the only thing that hasn't needed work...thankfully.
I put in an earthen floor that got moldy, had to rip it up. We framed in a 2x6 floor with plywood over it, now it's sagging and needs more support. The canvas walls baked us out in the summer, had to be replaced with sheathing.
We need insulation that isnt the foil bubble wrap it came with, doesn't hold heat.
I put in used windows, could never get them to stop leaking. Had to put in new windows. Same with the doors.
Now the rafters in the roof frame are twisting and need help.
Its been a lot. And I'm afraid to keep on keeping on, and then the drain cause an issue in the future.
Its comforting to hear about your walkway. My worry is in part because I imagine the weight sitting on the drain pipe it quite the load.
 
Rocket Scientist
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Location: Upstate NY, zone 5
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The walls of a yurt are not going to be a significant added load on the foundation beyond its own weight. As long as it is below the frost line or otherwise safe from freezing at the base, I think your drain as you say you installed it should be fine for many years.

It is possible that with the drain under the foundation, water gets closer to the interior and causes some of your floor moisture issue. If you plan on living in the same spot for many years, it might be worth adding drainage outside the foundation.
 
pollinator
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I know several people that have had similar moisture issues, both natural and “conventional” builds.  Most end up with what is essentially a radon mitigation system, but used to pull the moisture out.
 
gardener
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Doesn't sound like a mistake to me. You've made a rubble trench foundation which is a very effective foundation method. My cob house has a lot of water around the house which is also on a hill, so I have a rubble trench foundation that drains further below the property as well as a "french drain, curtain drain, rubble drain, etc." protecting the upper elevation side of the house. You could always add an extra drain as suggested by Glenn.

Sounds like the earthen floor didn't get a moisture barrier beneath it, the mold is common for earth floors that are built allowing vapor migration from below grade up onto the surface.
 
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