The Science of the “Squishy Yard”
Your “Squishy Yard” is a hydrology / soil science matter that is best addressed by a Biologist. Today’s Building / Land Science is advancing too fast for Building Codes and Environmental Regulations to keep up with. In fact, 2018 has been reported to be the wettest year in NJ history, pushing borderline soils beyond their water holding capacity and now flooding families out of their homes. There’s no Building Code that adequately addresses this.
New Jersey - The Wetlands State
NJ is basically a “Swamp” and it was normal to relocate streams and fill wetlands to create developable land. Farmers liked to plant in wetlands due to natural irrigation that today might not be the best place to build a house on. With the revisions to the Clean Water Act in 1977, Wetlands became protected and this land development practice ended.
But what about those homes built on an old wetland? What about older homes that are now being re-built with bigger basements, in neighborhoods that historically were prone to water intrusion due to wetlands? Better call GreenWorks first as this stuff doesn’t go away on its own.
What Makes GreenWorks Different
Everything. We are Building Biologists and deal with moisture all the time. We look at your unique water situation by listening to your accounting of what’s been going on, improvements that have been made, reviewing the information you provide us (see attached list) and reviewing publicly available environmental information. Many times we can do this at no charge and give you an idea of how to proceed. Fee schedule is attached if we can’t.
How to Get Started
Contact our office and gather the requested information (see attached) if you want our help. Be sure to look over our standard recommendations to see if that helps. If a fee is needed for us to move forward we will send you a simple proposal that needs to be executed and returned. Afterwards a time to visit your site will be set up where you will learn more about your environment than you thought possible.
Property Drainage Assistance
Mandatory
- Property Survey
- Pictures / Videos - outside area in question and of basement / crawl space.
- Short history of issues, timeline (no more than 300 words) starting with date home built.
Note: If you can provide all the above information and we find it helpful we will research public data and provide a written recommendation at no charge.
Helpful
- House Plans / Architecturals and/or Pool / Grading Plans
- Soil Borings / Foundation Certification (from Engineer / Municipal Inspection)
- Septic Design Plan
- Wetlands Map & Permit
- Other Engineering Plans
- GWE to visit the site ($395 for E. Monmouth-N. Ocean Co (30miles)) / $795 1hr / Quote
- Other Fees: Soil Boring $395 / boring / 2 min
- Gutter Corrections / Leader Extensions (You or neighbors) ($1,000 - 2,000K)
- Window Well Corrections ($500 - $1,500)
- Yard Re-Grading / Berms (3,500 - 8,000)
- Wet Well (3,500 - $5,500)
- E-Z Flow Pipe Discharge ($150 per linear foot / $15-$25k)
- Recharge Strategies: Dry well / Cistern / Flow Well / Storm Ceptor - Quote
- Foundation Re-Waterproofing - Quote
- Patio Re-Leveling - Quote
- Drainage Easements
- Conservation Easements
- Wetlands and their buffer (transition) areas (Mapped or Not Mapped)
- Drainage Swales
- Streams (Mapped, flowing or just a dry ditch)
"GWE does not recommend disturbing areas regulated by local, County, State or Federal agencies. These areas require a permit for any type of disturbance no matter how old the home is or how long you have owned it. Disturbance may be subject to fines and / or mandatory restoration. A "nod" or verbal "ok" from your local construction office is not a permit. And just because your neighbor did it, doesn’t mean you can do it as well."
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Get Rid of Moisture Problem in Your Home
Trust your gut, there may be more going on than you think and give GreenWorks a call (732) 223-2073.
