Solve Your Lawn Drainage Problems with These Systems

Does water puddle on your lawn after a hard rain? What about your basement, garage, or crawl space? Does rainwater pool there, too? If it does, you might need to have a drainage system installed.

You’ve come to the right place to learn more! Here’s a snapshot of what we’ll cover in this article:

• Problems caused by poor water drainage
• Causes of lawn drainage problems
• Types of drainage systems

Common Problems Caused by Drainage Issues

Poor yard drainage can cause lots of expensive problems. The damage probably won’t happen all at once, which means it can take time to realize there’s an issue. And once you discover the issue, it’s usually a really big problem.

Structural Damage

Water pooling around your home can cause structural damage. Foundation damage, retaining wall leaks, and concrete slab issues are all problems caused by standing water.

Mold/Humidity Problems

Water intrusion is a nuisance in an unfinished basement. But it can be devastating to a finished, furnished basement. Interior leaks and floods can lead to mold, mildew, and humidity problems throughout your home.

Root Rot

Pools of water in your lawn are unsightly. They also pose threats to turf grass, trees, and shrubs vulnerable to root rot. The only thing worse than having soggy grass and soil is having to replace grass, plants, and trees because of constant flooding.

Mosquito Infestations

Small pools of stagnant water are the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. With pooling and frequent rain, you may never be able to get a handle on mosquito infestations.

Erosion

If water moves too quickly through any parts of your lawn, you may be dealing with erosion. If it’s significant enough, erosion can affect plant and turf growth.

Standing water here and there may not seem like a big problem at first. But water that goes where it shouldn’t is always something to investigate, especially around your house. Take note of when and where you notice puddling water. This information will help a drainage expert give you good recommendations for potential solutions.

What Are the Frequent Causes of Drainage Problems?

Lawn drainage issues can be caused by several factors. We’ve outlined the most common causes below.

Incorrect Yard Slope

The slope of your lawn affects which way the water drains. And yard slope does vary over time. But when the soil moves enough to cause drainage problems, you’ll need regrading services.

Depending on the size of your lot, poor grading in your neighbor’s yard can also impact drainage on your side.

Downspout and Gutter Issues

Gutters help move water away from your home. Some gutters are too small to handle the roof load. Poorly placed or too-short downspouts may leave pools of water right around your foundation.

Compacted Soils

Dense, clay-heavy soils don’t absorb water very well. If your yard is primarily clay, you’re more likely to have issues with pooling water.

4 Types of Drainage Systems

Different drainage systems target different problems. Drainage solutions typically fall into the following four categories:

Surface Drainage Systems

Surface systems remove groundwater when the soil can’t absorb water quickly enough. Surface systems include swales, dry creek beds, rain gardens, and grading.

Subsurface Drainage Systems

Subsurface systems keep excess water in the soil away from your house. Deep swales, French drains, dry wells, and catch basins are all subsurface systems.

Roof Load Systems

Roof systems carry rainwater and snowmelt from the roof away from your home. Examples of roof load systems include gutters, downspouts, and rain barrels.

Slope Drainage Systems

Slope systems use gravity and drainpipes to direct water away from structures. These types of drainage systems sometimes use sump pumps, too.

Yard drainage experts will know which system will work best for your situation. Depending on the issues you’re having, you might need a combination of solutions.

Another benefit of hiring a pro is that they will also know local regulations about where you can direct water. In many places, it’s illegal to direct water into storm drains. In colder regions, there are laws about directing water onto sidewalks or roads that may ice over in winter.

Finding the Right Drainage System for You

Drainage problems can cause major damage, so take them seriously. Here are some key takeaways to remember:

• Contact a professional who knows how to design a drainage solution for your specific situation. All homes and properties are different and need tailored solutions.
• Surface drainage systems (like swales and rain gardens) remove pooling ground water.
• Subsurface drainage systems (like French drains, dry wells, catch basins, and box drains) help drain excess water in the soil.
• Roof drainage systems (like gutters, downspouts, and rain barrels) carry rainwater and melting snow and ice away from your home.
• Slope drainage systems rely on land grading, drainpipes, and sump pumps to keep water from causing damage.