November 4, 2020

If you notice water puddles in your yard after a rainstorm that don’t dry up right away, you may have drainage issues. Many homeowners experience standing water in their yards, but most don’t know how to address it. They may not even realize that there is a fix to pooling water. Understanding the problem and knowing who to contact to help fix it can transform your property in the right direction.

Yard drainage solutions.

Causes of Poor Drainage

There are several reasons that you may notice water pooling in your yard. Some of them include:

Poor Grading

The slope of the ground around your property should encourage water to drain away from the foundation. The best grading will have the ground drop 2-3 inches for every 10 feet as you move away from your home. Although this is the proper way to grade, it’s not uncommon for homes in this area to have some grading issues that could cause water problems.

Soil Type

The looser the soil, the better the drainage. Clay soil is the most problematic for water drainage, since the particles are small and absorbent. A layer of clay is called hardpan, and if you have clay soil in your yard, you may notice drainage issues.

Water Table

A water table is the level where soil and gravel are saturated with water. A high water table means that the water has nowhere to drain. Low-lying areas are most at risk for water table issues.

Effects of Poor Drainage

The effects of poor drainage can be significant. Poor drainage is much more than just puddles in your yard. Poor drainage can cause:

  • Foundation problems that will damage the structure of your home.
  • Wet basements that encourage mold and mildew growth.
  • Swampy yard that encourages mosquito breeding and kills the plants and grass.

These effects are more than just an inconvenience. Ignoring pooling water can cause issues that will cost thousands of dollars to remedy and can damage both your property and the health of your family. Not to mention it leaves parts of your property unusable.

Addressing Drainage Issues

If you believe you are experiencing drainage issues, there are ways to address it. A drainage contractor can diagnose and determine the causes and may suggest several different solutions.

Fixing the grading will allow water to flow naturally away from your foundation. Adjusting the grading usually involves bringing in dirt to raise the ground level. It can be more labor intensive, but if your foundation is at risk, it is well worth the investment.

There are also different drains that can be installed to help water move away from problem areas-even if you have heavy clay soil. A soakaway, which is a hole filled with porous material that allows water to drain back into the ground, is a fairly simple solution. French drains are perforated pipes that will collect water from saturated areas and move it to dryer areas. Solid drains, like trench drains, can transport water completely off the property to nearby storm drains.

Using a Drainage Contractor to Help

Poor drainage is almost never the fault of the homeowner, but is the result of poor grading, poorly draining soil, or a high water table. Drainage issues should not be ignored or neglected, because the damage that can be caused by poor drainage can be major. Damage to your foundation, the presence of mold, or visible rot can cost thousands to remedy. Yet solving a drainage issue on your own is not something the majority of homeowners should take on. A local drainage contractor is an expert in both the causes of drainage issues and the potential solutions and can help ensure that your issues are fixed with no damage to your home.

Drainage issues are often ignored by homeowners, either because they feel that there is no solution, or because they worry about what the solution may be. Talking to a drainage contractor who can work with the property and soil you have to fix your drainage issues once and for all is a great first step. We have a lot of experience helping homeowners fix their drainage issues-especially with clay soil. Contact Twin Oaks Landscape today to discuss ways we can help you fix yours.