Landscaping drainage problems can damage grass and plants. Besides wreaking havoc on landscape, it can also cause health hazards. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquito larvae and pests. So, it’s essential to correct your landscape-related issues.
Here are some ways to find out how to improve the drainage system:
Keep the Drainage Route Free of Obstruction
Your yard or landscape design should consist of a gentle slope that drains the water. So, it’s a good idea not to use raised gardens and planters to avoid obstructing the runoff drainage paths. If these channels are obstructed, the deposited water will flood the lawn. That’s why it’s necessary to inspect the natural ridges in your lawn where the water flows. Remove any kind of objects or heavy vegetation that could impede the flow of water.
Install Artificial Drainage Systems
Ill-drained soils such as clay and poor landscape design can cause waterlogging issues. You can improve soil drainage by constructing a landscape draining system in your yard.
You can install simple ditches which are 90 cm deep, or you can use french ditches. French ditches are constructed by filling a ditch with coarse gravel and then placing a permeable membrane to prevent the entry of the soil into the ditch.
Another variation is the piped drainage. If you experience severe drainage problems, you can use perforated plastic pipes on trenches made firm by a 5 cm gravel bed.
Use an Inlet Basin
A detention basin or an inlet basin is a drainage basin that gathers water rapidly and then releases it slowly to reduce the impact on the surrounding area. You can install this basin just beneath the surface of your lawn. You can install several detention basins across the yard to drain a large amount of water. Drainage basins like these are thus suited for draining water caused by storms. You should place the inlet basins on the raised part of your lawn to collect as much water as possible to prevent the area from flooding.
Harvest the Water Where Possible
You may harvest the ground run-off water by installing a storage well or water barrel below the grade. You can then use the collected run-off to water your lawn. This is a feasible option if you do not have proper drainage systems and want to conserve water for the dry season.
When building a harvesting system, make sure soil and debris don’t enter the well. The accumulation of silt may reduce the amount of water the storage can hold. Perforated piping systems have the best results when it comes to harvesting water. And, you can still use open ditches and layer them with gravel.
Another route is using barrels. You can construct a pond-like barrel or use a plastic underground barrel to collect water.
Correct the Hard Surfaces
Try to correct the hard surfaces such as patios, driveways, and paths. If these surfaces are made of brick or stone, you can remove them and reinstall drainage slopes if the landscape design needs them.
For concrete surfaces, use a mud jack to raise concrete and install a drainage system.
Landscape Draining In NY
Felice Landscaping is a third-generation family-owned and operated business providing Landscaping, Masonry, Irrigation, and Organic Lawn Programs for our Commercial & Residential Clientele. We have proudly served Westchester County for 56 years. You can rely on us to provide you with landscape drainage solutions along with other services.