There's a pond in the backyard, and how can I prevent problems with it?
Solving the problem of a pond in the backyard is one of the most frequently asked questions by houseowners. Besides being considered bad feng shui and believed to negatively affect residents, scientifically speaking, it can also cause structural damage. So, what are some ways to solve the problem of a pond in the backyard? Let's take a look.
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The Problem of a Pond in the Backyard: From a Spiritual and Scientific Perspective
– Feng Shui Aspect:
According to feng shui beliefs, having a pond or pool in the backyard negatively impacts the finances and career of the residents or houseowners. This includes financial failure, excessive debt, lack of career advancement, and poor health, frequent illnesses.
– Scientific Aspect:
Scientifically, houses near ponds or pools have a higher chance of soil subsidence. If water is pumped out of a large pond, a canal is dug alongside it, or a large amount of soil is removed, it can cause the land to subside and affect the house's structure.
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Solution to a Pond in the Backyard
Solutions to a pond in the backyard include:
1. Filling with Soil
Filling a pond differs from general land filling and depends on the condition of the pond. For example, shallow ponds are easy to fill; simply pump out the water and wait to see if water resurfaces. If not, you can fill and compact the soil.
However, for deep ponds or waterlogged areas, the water must be pumped out before filling. The quality of the soil filling must be considered. If the soil is not of good quality or not allowed to settle sufficiently, subsidence problems will occur later.
How to Calculate the Basic Soil Volume
The basic cost of filling soil can be calculated as follows:
Land size (square meters) x Height = Soil Volume (cubic meters)
For example, a plot of land measuring 100 square wa (approximately 460 square meters) would be 100 x 4 = 400 square meters. If you want to fill the land to a height of 1 meter, it would be:
400 x 1 = 400 cubic meters.
This calculation should account for the cost of soil compaction due to settling. It might be necessary to add approximately 80 cubic meters, bringing the total to 480 cubic meters.
The cost of filling the land is approximately 280 baht per cubic meter. Filling 480 cubic meters would cost approximately 130,000-140,000 baht.
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2. Constructing a Retaining Wall
A retaining wall is a structure designed to resist the lateral pressure of soil, water, or mud, as well as various compressive forces from above, which can cause landslides and soil subsidence.
Common materials used for retaining walls include steel sheet piles, cement blocks, and prestressed reinforced concrete.
However, it's advisable to consult an engineer specializing in retaining wall construction beforehand, as an assessment of the construction site and accurate calculation of soil pressure are required.
In terms of feng shui, it's recommended that if filling the pond isn't feasible, plant shrubs around it to block the view and place mirrors on the house in a position that reflects the pond.
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Causes and Prevention of House Subsidence
House subsidence can occur in any house. And it stems from several causes. Besides the problem of a pond behind the house, there are many other factors that can cause house subsidence, such as:
1. Soil Conditions
The varying softness, hardness, density, and settlement of the soil, depending on its structure and composition, affects house subsidence. A clear example is the soil in Bangkok, which is characterized by soft, easily subsiding alluvial clay sediments found at river mouths. This is why the soil in Bangkok subsides more easily than in other provinces.
In addition, housing developments in suburban areas are often built on land that was previously a fish pond or land where topsoil was previously excavated and used for filling elsewhere. The newly filled soil is more prone to subsidence than natural soil, which is why house subsidence problems are frequently seen in suburban areas.
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2. Foundation System
The foundation is a crucial factor in determining whether a house is prone to subsidence. If the piles do not reach the bedrock, break within the soil layers, are not aligned correctly with the house columns, or are situated on different types of soil, these problems arise from substandard construction planning and inadequate soil inspection before piling. These are the causes that make the house more susceptible to tilting and subsidence.
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3. House Weight
The house structure is designed to support a certain weight, sufficient for normal habitation. However, if too much weight is placed on it, such as additions to the house, extensions to the eaves, a carport roof, or heavy items stored inside, the increased weight can cause the house to subside.
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Thank you for the valuable information from DD Property.
