If you own a home, you likely know the importance of ensuring that water properly drains from any outdoor spaces and around your home’s foundation. Discovering pools of water in your otherwise beautiful outdoor space can be concerning, but don’t worry; solutions are available that won’t break the bank. In most cases, backyard drainage problems can be linked to an underlying cause that is fixable, either by yourself or an experienced professional.

While appropriate drainage should always be at the forefront of any yard or landscaping planning, this is sometimes overlooked, or drainage systems are improperly installed. Read on to learn more about how to identify drainage issues in your yard, possible causes, and how to fix the problem to ensure your outdoor space is functional and beautiful and your home is protected from water damage.

How to Identify Yard Drainage Issues

While the presence of standing water is the most obvious sign of backyard drainage issues, there are some other things that can indicate a problem, such as:

  • Flooded Tree Roots
  • Overflowing Eavestroughs or Gutters
  • Soggy or Waterlogged Soil
  • Soil Erosion
  • Mold Growth
  • A Foul Odor Coming from the Area
  • A Wet Basement or Cracked Foundation

Ideally, the soil in your yard is able to effectively absorb any excess water and facilitate proper drainage for the area. If you notice any of the above-listed signs, you are likely dealing with insufficient backyard drainage that should be addressed to prevent damage to your yard and home.

Why Is Water Not Draining From My Backyard?

Some of the most common causes of backyard water drainage problems include:

  • Improper Grading or Sloping of the Yard
  • Compacted Soil
  • A Gutter Downspout That is Too Short
  • Solid Barriers Such as Walkways, Large Rocks, and Sidewalks
  • Erosion Due to Stormwater Runoff
  • Damaged or Broken Sewer or Water Lines

In order to effectively improve water drainage in your yard, you must first identify what is causing the issues. Addressing the underlying cause is an important first step towards remediating the problem.

How Do I Stop Water From Draining Into My Yard?

Problems with water drainage in yards and gardens are relatively common but can have major impacts on the health and safety of your home if not addressed. Some of the most effective ways of improving drainage in your yard include:

Grading – If the issues are caused by improper grading of your property, it may be necessary to re-grade the space, ensuring that the yard slopes away from your home and towards a certain drainage spot.

Aerating – If you suspect that compacted soil is causing your drainage problems, aeration of the area can be effective. Aeration breaks up any hard or compacted soil, allowing water to flow more easily.

A French Drain – A French drain redirects the flow of water via a small trench that is sloped and filled with small rocks or gravel, allowing water to flow easily toward a desired drainage point.

Maintain Your Gutters – Regularly clearing and cleaning your gutters prevents the build-up and overflow of water, which eventually collects near the foundation of your home.

Dry Wells or Swales – A swale is a shallow trench or ditch that is dug into the ground and encourages drainage away from your home. A dry well is an underground hole or pit that is filled with rocks and serves to collect excess water safely while it slowly absorbs into the soil.

A Rain Garden – A rain garden is a shallowly dug garden that is commonly filled with native foliage such as tall grasses and flowering plants that thrive in wet conditions. When rainwater flows into the garden, it collects in the soil and is absorbed by the plants.

Detect Drainage Problems Early with Professional Landscape Support

Problems with water drainage can be unsightly and, in some cases, smelly. But they can also cause significant damage to your outdoor space and your home. If you are concerned that you may be facing a yard drainage problem, identifying the cause and addressing the issue as soon as possible will limit potential damage and improve the appearance and health of your outdoor space.

A professional landscaping service can identify what is causing the drainage problem and provide practical solutions to eliminate the issue. Whether that means re-grading your yard, aerating your lawn, or installing a new drainage system altogether, the experts at Mountview Services can help you ensure your yard is gorgeous, healthy, and well-maintained, and your home is protected for many years to come.

In addition, any new landscape project completed by the team at Mountview Services always includes the careful consideration of water drainage and the installation of proper drainage systems, thereby preventing water drainage problems in the future.

If you’re concerned about possible water drainage problems, contact your trusted landscaping experts at Mountview Services today!