April 7, 2025

A wet lawn after a rainstorm is to be expected, but if you find that your lawn stays soggy long after the rain has passed through, or you have small ponds after every storm, it’s time to take action before a small annoyance becomes a big problem. When you have a waterlogged yard, the excess water can lead to plant damage, cause mold, mildew, and fungal growth, provide a breeding ground for insects, and even damage your home’s foundation. While several factors can contribute to poor drainage, several solutions can address your water problem before it gets out of hand.Close up of a flooded residential yard with puddles.

Solution 1: French Drains

French drains are one of the most popular solutions proposed by drainage contractors. A French drain is a trench with a drainage pipe that runs a few feet from the foundation of the house or another area of standing water and below the frost line so the water that flows through will not freeze and crack the pipe. The pipe will be fitted with small holes and positioned on a slight downward slope, directing the water to flow away from the house’s foundation or areas where water pools. The pipe will usually sit on a thin gravel bed, and the trench will be filled with gravel to allow the water to flow more easily. The gravel can be worked into the landscaping, or the drain and gravel can be topped with topsoil and sod for an unbroken look. French drains have been consistently popular as solutions to drainage problems because they are durable, efficient, and cost-effective. Water is simply directed away from areas where it will cause a problem.

Solution 2: Dry Wells

A dry well is an underground structure to collect and disperse excess water. Most dry wells are cylindrical, gravel-filled pits or prefabricated plastic or concrete containers. All dry wells are designed with holes to allow the collected water to seep into the surrounding soil. Water can be directed into the dry well through gutters, downspouts, or drainage pipes. By placing a dry well into an area where the soil has good absorption and an area that is away from the foundation of the house, the water can naturally absorb over time without causing the issues commonly seen with areas of standing water. Dry wells are considered very environmentally friendly, as they work to disperse water where it will be needed. Although dry wells will need to be thoughtfully placed, they are straightforward to install and will last for many years, and a big advantage is that they can be installed in flatter areas of the yard. They may take more time to disperse the excess water into the soil than French drains, but as the collected water is away from any area where it can cause damage, this is typically not a problem.

Solution 3: Channel Drains

Channel drains, also known as trench drains, can handle a lot of water. If you face heavy rainfall or water runoff, you may need a more thorough solution. Channel drains are highly effective in dealing with excess water by collecting and directing surface water away from problem areas. Channel drains are often used around driveways, walkways, patios, and other hardscapes. A long and narrow trench will be dug and covered with a grated covering, usually slotted, to install a channel drain. Because channel drains are less likely to be camouflaged into the landscaping, like French drains, many homeowners see them as a more extreme solution. However, they are an excellent solution when water needs to be quickly redirected.

Solution 4: Rain Gardens

Rain gardens are typically considered the most sustainable and eco-friendly drainage solution, focusing on putting excess water to good use. Rather than fighting excess water in every area of the property, a rain garden can be installed at a slight depression, encouraging water to run into that area. Trees, shrubs, and grasses that do well with excess water can be planted there and will help absorb the excess water, taking some of the burden off soil absorption. Many homeowners love the aesthetic appeal of a rain garden. If they are designed properly, rain gardens have a few downsides and won’t cause issues with mold or mosquitos, but the challenge of a rain garden is that it does need to function well to be effective. Water should not accumulate in the rain garden for more than a few hours after the rain has finished. If it does, it may mean there were problems in the design. When opting for a rain garden, it is essential to have the help of a landscaping professional.

Solution 5: Soil Aeration and Amendments

One of the biggest causes of poor drainage is compacted soil, or soil with a heavy clay content. Water can’t be absorbed into this type of soil effectively, and the slow absorption rate of compacted soil will cause issues with drainage even when the grading and slope are not an issue. Most of the time, the soil is compacted because heavy machinery or traffic has collapsed the air pockets, so drainage issues are common around new construction areas.

Soil aeration is an excellent way to help break up the compacted soil and introduce new air pockets, allowing water to flow through. Using an aerator on a lawn can quickly break out plugs of soil to let the rest decompress. Working with organic material such as earthworms, compost, or peat moss will help break up the soil for smaller areas around the home’s foundation or in gardens. While this won’t always make a big difference if the compacted soil is due to heavy clay content, it can help. Many homeowners include soil aeration as part of their landscaping maintenance contract.

If you are facing drainage problems, you have many options to remedy the issues before they cause damage. Working with a drainage contractor can help you determine what is best for your property. The team at Twin Oaks Landscaping has the right professionals to assess your property and determine the perfect solution. Contact us today to learn more.