October 31, 2024

Water damage cannot be ignored, and when you are facing drainage issues on your property – whether those issues are due to a degrading hardscape or poor soil composition – working with a professional landscape and design company is the best way to remedy the drainage issues so your property is protected from future damage.

The best solutions are tailored to your unique challenges, and when installed correctly using high-quality materials, they will be built to last. Twin Oaks Landscape understands the unique composition of Ann Arbor soil, and we know how to handle drainage problems in this area. Our experienced, knowledgeable team can design and install permanent drainage solutions in addition to overall landscape maintenance and design.

On this particular property in Ann Arbor, the homeowners noticed water issues in their house and garage and water was also puddling in their patio area. When they were ready to address the cause of their drainage issues, they called Twin Oaks Landscape to assist in getting it under control for good.

Project Overview

The homeowners found Twin Oaks Landscape via a web search. After an initial meeting and an assessment of their property, they contracted us to determine the cause of the drainage issues, regrade and redesign the landscape to allow better water flow away from the house, and rebuild the patio with new materials and a retaining wall.

They admitted that they did not use their patio as much as they would have liked to due to the settling and cracking and were looking forward to replacing the patio and walkway to make better and more frequent use and enjoyment of their outdoor spaces.

Before picture of a worn out patio that needs replaced.

As with many properties in Ann Arbor, these homeowners struggled with heavy clay that was causing drainage issues, especially around the downspouts. Twin Oaks Landscape has drainage contractors who were able to offer several options that would work.

There were two other requests the homeowners had:

  • The Dog

The beloved family dog didn’t have a good place to run and play due to the drainage issues in the yard. They wanted to make sure the landscape design would result in a grassy area that the dog would enjoy.

  • The Style

The homeowners wanted to change the overall look of the landscape to a rustic, more natural aesthetic.

We were confident we could meet those needs and also fix the drainage issues.

The Twin Oaks Solution

This project took place over several months in 2024.

Our team focused on several upgrades, including:

  • A newly designed patio
  • New walkway
  • New retaining wall
  • Proper drainage was installed under the patio
  • Regrading of landscape beds and walkway to direct water away from the garage and house
  • Rebuild existing fence with new materials

The clients’ biggest concern was the water issues in the house and garage. As we removed the old patio, we found that the downspouts had a dead end into the ground under the patio, causing most of the issues with standing water and the settling of the existing patio. By redesigning the patio to have proper flow away from the house along with installing proper drainage under the patio, we were able to divert the water from the spots where it had been collecting under the patio to allow the water that was not being absorbed by the soil to flow away from the property.

New patio with proper drainage.

First, we addressed the hardscape installations for the new patio, walkway, and retaining wall, which included regrading the area. Next we addressed the drainage issues.  Once the regrading was complete, we worked with the homeowners to find a balance of plantings that would provide the aesthetic appeal they were hoping for while still making sure the dog had a place to play.  Finally we rebuilt their existing fence by adding new materials.

High Quality Materials Were a Perfect Fit

For this project, the homeowners chose Unilock pavers for the patio and Unilock stone for the retaining wall. Unilock has a classic, upscale look that is a favorite for many homeowners in this area.

Unilock is known for its innovative approach to hardscaping, and they offer a variety of products that cater to diverse design preferences. Their pavers and stones allow homeowners to explore a combination of colors, textures, and scales, resulting in customized outdoor spaces that reflect personality and timeless curb appeal.

We installed Unilock Bristol Valley pavers in fossil color combined with Unilock Beacon Hill smooth small rectangles in dark charcoal to create a rustic and natural aesthetic for the patio and walkway.

For the retaining wall, they chose Unilock Pisa Smooth XL blocks in fossil, topped with Unilock Dark Charcoal Universal Coping.

This project included 100 square feet of pavers for the patio and walkways. Our gardening professionals collaborated with the homeowners to select appropriate plants that would enhance their rustic theme.

The landscaping team finished off the project by adding 15 yards of topsoil and 15 yards of brown shredded mulch. After that a mix of hydrangeas, geraniums, hostas, and coneflowers were planted to complete the design.

Updated patio and walkway.

Results

The homeowners were thrilled with the design and found the results even better than expected. They said that Twin Oaks Landscape exceeded all their expectations with their attention to detail and craftsmanship. They have found they are using their patio regularly now. We are always proud of what we are able to do for our clients, and your backyard could be next. Contact Twin Oaks Landscape for a landscape design consultation today!