Homeowners with poorly managed yard drainage know the worries that come with heavy rainfall. You can’t control how much it rains, but you can control how your yard deals with it.
There are several problems that lead to poor surface water drainage, like a sloped yard, improper downspouts, and problematic landscaping. Learn more about the issues that cause flooding on your property and how you can address them.
Poorly Installed Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are vital elements needed to remove runoff from rainfall. But if the builder or contractor didn’t install them properly, they can cause standing water and flooding in your yard that could lead to bigger problems, like water damage to your foundation.
To avoid any issues from your downspouts, point them away from your home and install a drainage system like a dry well or catch basin to direct the runoff to a storm sewer or another safe area.
Front Entrance Walkway
Did you know that your walkway leading to your house can also cause standing water issues? Sometimes, the sidewalk can create a dam effect, especially if it’s parallel to the home. To make matters worse, downspouts are typically pouring runoff into this same spot. But you can solve this issue by replacing a portion of the sidewalk with steppingstones or cutting the walkway so water can pass through it.
Usually, creating an aboveground solution is the best option, but you also hire a contractor to install a drain and catch basin underneath. You’ll see a small grate on the surface, but the correct function of the catch basin is dependent on if the contractor can create a large enough fall for water to flow correctly.
Problematic Landscaping
Unfortunately, your hard work in the yard might be to your own detriment. The wrong grading, not enough vegetation, paved surfaces, or even too much mulch can cause standing water issues. You’ll need to direct the water somewhere else, with trench drains or French drains.
Pitched Yard
One of the most common problems that lead to poor surface water drainage is a pitched yard. A bad slope in your yard doesn’t drain runoff properly, and bad downspouts will exacerbate the issue if they don’t divert gutter water to a storm sewer or another drainage option. Even though drains can also help with the pitch in your yard, you’ll better off correcting the slope, as drainage options will clog over time.
Roots in Pipes
What if you have yard drainage, but you keep noticing your drains backing up? It could be a broken pipe, but there’s also a good change roots invaded the pipes. They can squeeze into joints, and as they grow, completely fill it, causing a blockage. You’ll need to hire a root-cutting service to clean the pipe out or remove the pipe altogether. To prevent this from reoccurring, you can wrap the pipe in a filter fabric and glue the joints together to block the roots.
If you notice any problems with drainage in your yard, it’s wise to act quickly and rectify the situation before it worsens.
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
