Drainage Solutions

There are so many issues that can occur when your yard isn’t draining properly. Over the years, we’ve seen them all—from the minor (but still frustrating) problems to the serious (and costly) ones.

Here are some of the most common issues we’ve seen as a result of improper yard drainage.

• Mower ruts:  When the yard is always soggy, but you still have to mow, it’s ultimately going to leave ruts.

• Muddy tracks:  Whether it’s the dog or the kids, muddy prints keep making it onto your hardscaping, and even worse, into your home.

• Plant bed erosion:  Every time there’s a heavy rain, the plant beds get completely washed out.

• Hardscaping floods:  Water that isn’t properly directed may be washing over your walkways or patio and leaving a muddy mess that has to be power washed after every storm.

• Pooling water:  Improper patio installation and no drainage solution below may lead to a patio that forms a little “pond” with each rainstorm. This can happen in the yard, too. Any stagnant water like this is an invitation for mosquito breeding.

• An unusable yard:  When your yard turns into a swamp, it may become completely useless to your family and friends.

• Water in the basement: Every homeowners’ nightmare is that improper yard drainage will ultimately lead to water ending up in the basement. Unfortunately, we’ve seen it happen.

The appropriate drainage solution for a property will depend on several factors, such as the extent of the drainage problem, the topography of the property, and the budget available for the project. Consulting with our professional team can help to determine the most effective solution for a particular property.

There are several drainage solutions that can be implemented to prevent or address these issues:

French drains – This is a trench filled with gravel or rock that redirects water away from the property. A perforated pipe is typically installed at the bottom of the trench to help drain the water.

Swales – A swale is a shallow channel or depression that is designed to direct water away from an area. This solution can be used to divert water around a property or to a designated drainage area.

Grading – Proper grading involves sloping the ground away from a building to prevent water from pooling or accumulating near the foundation. This can be done by adding or removing soil as needed.

Retaining walls – Retaining walls can help to redirect water away from an area or to stabilize sloped areas to prevent erosion. They can also be used to create terraced areas for planting.

Rain gardens – Rain gardens are designed to capture and filter rainwater runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces. These gardens typically feature plants and soil that absorb and filter the water naturally.

Sump pumps – A sump pump is installed in a pit in the basement or crawl space of a building to pump excess water away from the property.

Before designing a drainage system, our specialists will perform a site analysis to identify any existing drainage issues and to understand the slope and contour of the land. This information is used to design an effective drainage system.

Our team will design a drainage system that is tailored to the specific needs of the property. This includes designing drainage channels, French drains, and other features to effectively redirect water away from the property.

Designing the drainage system, our specialists will oversee the installation process. This may include excavating trenches, installing pipes and drainage channels, and backfilling with gravel or other materials.

We will also be responsible for ongoing maintenance of the drainage system. This includes monitoring the system for clogs or damage, and addressing any issues that arise.

Our specialists will work closely with you, to ensure that the drainage system is integrated seamlessly into the overall design of the outdoor space.