Is yard drainage a problem for your landscape? Addressing excess water before it can become a major issue will save you aggravation, time and most important, money! Your best bet for landscaping drainage solutions is to work with a professional landscaper. It is best to be proactive and put the necessary safe guards in place so that you preserve the value of your home and do not get caught off guard with an unexpected flood or water problem.
The Top 4 Yard Drainage Solutions
Drainage is obviously crucial in areas with high rainfall, but that’s not the only area of concern. In order to support trees, gardens and shrubs, you’ll need landscaping design services to retain and direct water away from low-lying areas like patios and your home’s foundation. Landscaping and patio drainage solutions offer a proven way to prevent pooling, flooding, erosion and insect infestation. So, if you were to ask a professional landscaper, what options would they share?
1. Re-grading
Re-grading is one of the best landscaping drainage solutions. By re-grading or reshaping your yard, soil is moved from one area to another at the appropriate height and slope to ensure proper yard drainage. Even if you’re only re-grading a small portion of your yard, it may be a major undertaking. By channeling water away from your house, you’ll avoid foundation damage and basement leaks. Partner with a professional landscaper who can offer a solution to shield your home from the damaging effects that water and moisture can have.
2. French Drains
When you’re dealing with light runoff, a gravel-filled trench, also known as a French drain, is a good fix. Perfect for many patio drainage solutions or other elevated areas like roofs, hillsides and areas around pools, these trenches catch and re-direct water. A time-honored system for eliminating excess water, French drains are typically built to meet the specific requirements of your unique property. Both the perforated pipe and the trench that houses the pipe can vary in size and dimension.
3. Dry Well
If you live in an area with limited space, a dry well may be a well suited option for your yard drainage. This underground structure collects storm water runoff and releases through the groundwater table or through a solid outflow pipe that captures the water as it rises in the well.
Dry wells generally don’t compromise the visual appeal of your property, as they’re strategically built in an area that is non-discrete or may be covered with soil and sod. A dry well is an excellent solution within landscaping design services because it reduces the amount of storm water runoff and pollutants and also reduces downstream erosion and flooding, while improving water quality.
4. Catch Basin
Do you see accumulating water in lower areas of your yard? You may need a catch basin. Considered one of the most popular landscape drainage solutions, these basins are designed to collect excess surface water from hardscape areas, turf, planter beds and other landscape features. From round basins with grates to square basins, there are a variety of styles to choose from depending on the drainage needs in different areas of your landscape.
To effectively protect the health of your lawn and landscape, as well as your home, proper yard drainage, patio drainage solutions and landscape design services are imperative. Drainage issues drastically affect the value of your home, diminishing your resale potential. If you neglect water issues, you may find yourself faced with costly repairs and may eventually do irreparable damage to your home. A professional landscaper can help design a drainage solution that not only protects your yard, but also safeguards your most valuable asset—your home!