Adam Gainagher

Hi Glenn.

Yes it has a slope to it that leads towards a stream.   So I should be able to have the rubble trench's drains go to daylight.  

But I still will have significant expansion and contraction depending on drought in summer.     So maybe some years won't crack as much as others.



What would you suggest for building the site up before the build?

Thanks for your reply Chris.

I'm not worried about the draining as much as I am the swelling and contraction of the clay shifting the trench over time and making an unstable foundation.

So I guess I'm asking, is this a real concern, or is it unnecessary to worry about?

Also details on the trench... It would be 1 foot wide. 3 foot deep. And the drain tile would slope to daylight.

Can it be done?

I have heavy clay soil with almost 0 rocks in it.   It doesn't drain well, and in winter months the water table can be within the top foot of soil.

Frost line here is 30-36 inches.   I'd like to use a french drain and rubble trench footing with a cement bond beam on top, but I'm not sure about the shifting with the expansive clay.

Any suggestions?