When you have a storm water management problem on your property, you can see erosion, a wet lawn, damage to your landscaping, and damage to your foundation. A soggy lawn, garden or landscaping will result in bacteria, which loves moist, wet areas. Mosquitoes can breed in standing water too. The standing water left behind by a storm can cause many issues and should be addressed as soon as possible.
There are quite a few landscaping strategies to help with storm water runoff before it can start damaging your home or commercial building’s lawn or foundation.
Flow-through planters are used to filter water and infiltrate it back into the soil over time. It collects in these planters and is released over time to ensure that the area isn’t bombarded with too much water. They’re great for providing green spaces near the building too.
Swales can be created next to the foundation to pull moisture away from the building. They are small bits of land with beneficial plants that will trap particles and manage the water runoff in order to reduce its flow.
Trees can be planted in areas that end up with standing water. The trees will take advantage of the water, slow it down, and decrease erosion of the soil. The tree roots will soak up pollutants and filter the water before it’s released.
After making sure the downspouts are maintained properly, the next step to runoff management is making sure they are directed away from the building. Downspouts are meant for this specific purpose, but they can sometimes be overwhelmed with water.
Check to see where the water is puddling and if there’s an area that is being inundated with stormwater. For example, if the water is running to one drain, that drain will be unable to handle the sheer amount of water flowing there. The downspouts might need to be redirected based on how the water flows.
Some properties have a drainage system in place, but the area isn’t maintained as properly as it should be. A property with a culvert or drain system has to be landscaped to remove weeds and overgrown plants. Otherwise, the system won’t work. Water will collect in puddles near the culvert or drain and back up into the rest of the lawn.
Landscaping, proper planning, and maintenance are vital for storm water management for runoff on your property. It’s best to consult with a landscaping company to ensure that you’re doing all you can to manage the storm water and directing it back into the ground properly.
