April 2, 2021

Everyone’s yard can be a little soggy after the spring thaw or a few days of heavy rain, but for many homeowners a soggy yard is more than just excess water. A yard with drainage problems can be soggy nearly all the time, no matter the weather or season, and a yard with drainage problems can lead to more serious problems. Addressing the results of drainage problems isn’t a long term solution, but fixing the cause will be permanent and can be handled by a landscaping and drainage contractor.

Idealistic Victorian style two story house with three large windows well manicured front yard with green grass shrubs and flowers.

What Causes a Soggy Yard?

There are several different causes for a soggy yard. It’s often due to a poorly graded yard with no run-off or drainage, but a soggy yard can also be caused by the composition of the soil. Soil that has a high percentage of clay will usually present problems with drainage, as this type of soil is often heavily compacted and will not absorb water. If the water cannot penetrate the soil, it will sit on top, creating pools of water.

Dangers of Ignoring Yard Drainage Problems

During heavy rain, a yard with drainage problems can accumulate large areas of standing water. If the water begins to accumulate against the house, it can cause damage to the crawl space, basement, and foundation. Water damage can cause mold, mildew, and even structural damage which can be very difficult, time-consuming, and expensive to remediate. Even if the standing water isn’t up against the structure of the house, a yard with drainage problems can begin to erode areas of the yard and create hollows. Standing water is also a breeding ground for fungus, mosquitos, and other pests and can make your yard difficult to enjoy.

Landscaping and Drainage Contractors Have Solutions

Landscaping and drainage contractors know that finding a solution for drainage is much better than attempting to remediate damage that standing water can cause. There are several solutions that may help. French drains are one of the most popular solutions and can be handled by a landscaping and drainage contractor. A French drain is a trench with a drainage pipe that runs a couple of feet from the house and goes below the frost line. The drainage pipe needs to be below the frost line so that the water flowing inside will not freeze and crack the pipe. The pipe will be fitted with small holes and will run in a slight downward slope to encourage the water to flow away from the house and yard. The drainage pipe sits on a thin bed of gravel, and the trench will be filled with gravel instead of soil to allow the water to flow more easily. Sod can be placed over the gravel if you want an unbroken aesthetic, but often a French drain can be worked into the landscaping with a rock garden or pathway.

How to Find Drainage Contractors for Your Situation

Not every landscaping contractor is a drainage contractor, and some contractors who are only able to remediate drainage issues may solve your issues but may not leave your yard looking as pleasing as you’d hoped. Finding a landscaping and drainage contractor who can do both is the best possible solution. An experienced landscape contractor will be able to figure out how and why the water is standing on your property and will have the solutions that will fix the problem while keeping your property looking its best.

Finding the right contractor with the right solution can take your property from a soggy mess where you are always worried about water damage to a beautiful property you can be proud of. Good landscaping and drainage contractors can assess your yard and find the right solution to solve your yard drainage problems for good. Twin Oaks Landscape has you covered. We’re a local drainage contractor with experience in solving standing water issues for homeowners in this area. Contact us today for more information about our tested, tried, and proven solutions to handle your water drainage for good.