Here are a few techniques to solve drainage issues on your property.
The average homeowner may not realize their yard has drainage issues. However, improper drainage can cause significant damage to your landscape and home, making it a serious problem for homeowners. Landscaping professionals can spot potential drainage problems before disasters occur.
Water finds the quickest way downhill; hopefully, “downhill” isn’t toward your home. Even if water is directed away from the foundation, the downhill flow of water can create pooling in your landscape, drowning grasses and plants and causing considerable damage. If you notice erosion, flooding, or pooling in your landscape, the problem can surely get worse. Here are a few techniques to solve drainage problems on your property.
Landscape Grading
Grading the land creates a natural way for water to flow. Proper grading is critical to ensuring that your landscaping and hardscaping stay in excellent condition for many years. If your yard does not have enough grading, water will pool and flood your yard during a rainstorm. For proper drainage to occur, the slope must have a downhill grade of at least two percent. At Carroll Landscaping, our grading services start with an on-site evaluation of your property to determine the right level of grading and what steps should be taken to get your yard there.
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall is an essential component of preventing drainage problems. These structures can be less than 3 feet high for shallow slopes or up to 25’ or more for steeper slopes. No matter the size, their job is to prevent the down-slope flow of water and waterlogged soil.
Drain Pipes
The gutter system collects rain runoff, snowmelt, and debris from the roof. Drain pipes direct the water onto the downhill slope, direct it away from the foundation to a desirable location such as a pond, creek, or storm drain system.
Drain pipes can also be used in conjunction with catchment drains. These drains may be advantageous in certain rocky landscapes or other situations, but they have a disadvantage around lots of plant life. The drain pipes and catchment drains can clog with debris over time, so they must be cleaned and maintained regularly.
Permeable Pavers
You can go one step further to enhance your paved surfaces and protect your landscape from erosion. Permeable pavers eliminate the need for drainage improvements by allowing excess water to enter the groundwater through the small spaces between the pavers. This replenishes the groundwater supply and protects the paved surfaces during harsh freeze-thaw cycles in the winter.
Interested in Improving Your Outdoor Living Space? Consider Landscape and Hardscaping Design Services from Carroll Landscaping
Carroll Landscaping has over 30 years of experience with landscape construction, porch construction, deck building, and hardscape installation. Our award-winning landscape designers are passionate about providing customers with top-notch service and landscape design. Our landscape designers have a creative design outlook and work as a team with our installation crews to make your vision a reality. We are committed to providing every customer with the highest quality workmanship, professional and knowledgeable service, and creativity in design in order to surpass our clients’ expectations in every aspect of the project.
We serve residents throughout the beautiful state of Maryland including Baltimore, Columbia, Ellicott City, Eldersburg, Clarksville, Sykesville, Manchester, Westminster, and Woodstock. For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our expert designers, contact us online or give us a call at 410-922-2416.