Improper yard drainage is one of the most frustrating issues a homeowner will ever have to face. If a yard is not draining properly, then there's more than likely a variety of yard drainage problems. By installing proper drainage systems, you're providing your yard with a way for water to leave without causing flood damage around the home. While all that is required for adequate drainage is typically piping that runs from your gutters and down underneath your yard, some yards need a more intense drainage system than others. If you're noticing a lot of standing water when there hasn’t been very much precipitation, then a more advanced drainage system may need to be installed.

Types of Yard Drainage Issues

There are several issues that can occur when your yard isn’t draining properly, but these are some of the most common issues we’ve seen as a result of improper yard drainage.

• Mower ruts - when the yard is soggy, but needs to be mowed, it's going to leave ruts.
• Plant bed erosion - when heavy rain ensues, the plant beds always get completely washed out.
• Hardscaping floods - improperly directed water washing over walkways or a patio, leaving a muddy mess.
• Pooling water - no drainage solution below a patio install that forms a little “pond” during each rainstorm. Note: This can happen anywhere in the yard too, leading to stagnant water which is a breeding ground for mosquitos.
• Unusable yard - when a yard turns into a swamp, it becomes completely useless to the homeowner and their family and friends.
• Water in the basement - this is every homeowners’ worst nightmare. Improper yard drainage that leads to water in the basement.

Drainage Solutions

While there are a number of different ways to address yard drainage, any solution that is utilized comes with one main objective -- move water away from the home. Here are a few ways to do just that:

• French Drains - this type of system redirects water to another part of your yard with ease.
• Downspout Drains & Piping - when a downspout is too close to the home, adding in new drains can move the water farther away from the structure so it has more room to dissipate.
• Dry Creek Beds - a trench filled with rocks that resembles a creek bed is a beautiful way to move water through your lawn or landscaping.
• Swales (also referred to as dry creek beds) - paired with other subdrainage such as pipes and drain inlets, a swale matches the overall tone of your landscaping, whether it's more traditional or modern-looking.
• Rip-Rap Rock - often installed on hillsides, these rocks can help to prevent soil erosion in areas where the yard is extremely sloped and water is moving continuously and/or rapidly.

Benefits of Yard Drainage

Understanding some of the common yard drainage problems and what solutions exist can help you make smart choices when it comes to preventing a future problem or fixing a current one.

Here are a few benefits to installing a proper yard drainage system:

1. Prevents soil erosion: When it rains, soil is displaced from your landscaping into other areas of your yard. This is referred to as “soil erosion.” Without proper drainage, over time this displacement causes issues with soil depth which in turn causes damage to your landscaping.
2. Prevents standing water: Standing water in your yard not only creates dangerous and slippery surfaces, it also drowns your landscaping. Plus, it can be extremely unsightly. It also attracts the bane of everyone's existence - MOSQUITOES!
3. Prevents water damage: Improper drainage doesn’t just damage your lawn landscaping, it also damages the foundation of your home. When severe storms hit, water flows through your yard at a much faster rate. Without proper drainage, this fast moving water can force its way through cracks in your foundation. This not only causes damage to the foundation, but it can ultimately cause issues in your crawl space or in your basement.
4. Prevent Bugs and Termite Damage: Insects and termites love to live in damp environments, which means your yard can be a great place for them to live if you don't have the proper outdoor drainage system in place. With a good outdoor drainage system, you’ll be able to keep them away from your home, which means you can enjoy a pest-free environment.

Effective yard drainage is key to keeping your yard dry and your home in good shape. By installing proper drainage, your yard, home, and everything within the home will remain dry and secure.

At Linnemann Lawn Care & Landscaping, we understand the value of a good drainage system and offer quality drainage and grading services to help you correct water flow issues throughout your property. If you believe you need drainage or grading support, contact our company today. We'd be happy to come out and evaluate your lawn or landscaping in order to create a game plan to address your drainage issues.