How to Improve Drainage in Your Yard

Homeowners must deal with sewerage issues to maintain the beauty and glamour of their lawns. Poor drainage poses a lot of challenges to a majority of homeowners. For instance, it may lead to overwatering in the compound. Stagnant waters become breeding places for insects that may transmit diseases and infections to your family. Furthermore, too much water will destroy some plants in the yard, consequently tainting your yard’s topography. In addition, it may lead to mold growth in the woods. Mold harms your health as exposure to mold spores may worsen conditions such as asthma and other allergies. Fortunately, there are certain ways homeowners can evade the negative impacts of poor yard drainage. Keep reading to identify these methods.

Grow Water Loving Plants

To improve sewerage in your backyard, try planting water-loving shrubs such as marsh marigold and turtlehead. These plants have deep fibrous roots, which make them well suited for this function. Plant them in the lower spot of your lawn that tends to absorb and retain moisture. Together, these plants form a rain garden. They help minimize runoff as they are known to absorb excess water. Another option would be to plant these swampy plants on the lower end of the rain garden and fill the upper part with drought-resistant shrubs. In addition to resolving the drainage issue in your yard, these trees also loosen the soil, consequently improving microbial activities. Even if the plants do not entirely solve the drainage issue in your home, they make the lawn appear beautiful; a good garden will look well compared to a muddy hole.

Add Organic Matter to Make a Compost

Organic matter is essential as it improves soil health. If your backyard lacks decomposing organisms, chances are high that you will experience poor sewerage. The organisms play a crucial role in breaking down the soil, creating oxygen pores that enable it to drain excess water. Compost also improves the soil structure, thus creating a conducive environment for the proper growth of plant roots on the terrace. To attain the best outcome, use compost rich in minerals such as phosphorous. If you cannot get it, make an improvised one using plant leaves, clippings, and kitchen remains.

Aerate Your Lawn

Aeration is a habitual way to keep your yard healthy and flourishing. It involves making holes on your lawn to transport air and nutrients underground. Besides, you’ll be able to break compact soil particles while drilling the holes. This consequently loosens the soil, thus enhancing drainage. It’s recommended you hire a trained aerator to do the work. Experts use mechanical equipment with cylindrical plugs to make the openings. They can also aerate your yard manually by driving bristles into the soil to break it down.

Install Drainage System in the Yard

Hire a professional to create a terrace drain in the parts you’ve previously noticed flooding. The spillway helps drain the excess water present in your yard. They are made of slit tubes that enhance flow to the dry wells; perforated tanks underground. The wells collect the water, which later sips underground at a slow rate. Make sure to hire an expert to construct the dry well. The professional will identify the correct design for your terrain since different terrains require different designs. Most importantly, consult your local building inspector to check the dry well’s condition every now and then.

Purchase a Rain Barrel

Heavy rain may cause floods if the water is not harvested. To prevent this, you can purchase and install a barrel at the downspout of the rainwater. This consequently reduces runoff on your lawn. Barrels ultimately conserve water which you can sprinkle on your flowerbeds later. You may also use the water for other functions in your home, such as cleaning the outdoor area and irrigating indoor flowers. Water from other sources may contain fluoride and other dissolved salts that damage your plants. Since rainwater is untreated and contains no chemicals, it’s clean and safe for plants.

Replace Hardscapes with Drainage Materials

Hardscape exterior materials such as concrete make incredible driveways and patios. They ensure that your vehicle does not sink on wet ground. In addition, they dry up very fast; therefore, your compound does not remain trippy after heavy rainfall. Unfortunately, they are disadvantageous when it comes to drainage on your lawn. They can easily divert rainwater in the wrong direction. It would be best if you replaced the hardscapes with other materials. For instance, crushed gravel that provides better sewerage.

Install a Catch Basin

When rainwater hits the ground, it can either flow away or soak in the lawn beside your house. You can ensure a continuous flow of stormwater by fixing a catch basin at the point of the downspout from the gutter. After a heavy downpour, water will collect into the basin. It will then be taken to a well beneath the surface through buried PVC tubes. Catch basins play a key role in improving the drainage system in your lawn. Moreover, they will catch trash and other particles before they enter the sewer system. Subsequently, you’re able to evade future expensive maintenance costs on your sewerage system.

Create a Garden Pond

Another method of improving the drainage in your yard is by creating a pond. Experts will shape the land to ensure it can harness much water from the surrounding. A garden pond assists in the absorption of runoff and flood mitigation. Besides, the pond will be beneficial to the ecosystem. A wide variety of wild animals, such as catbirds, will navigate the area to drink and bathe.

Are you looking to improve sewerage in your backyard? Look no further as our company has a team of qualified professionals to offer excellent drainage services. Contact Foothills Landscaping & Irrigation LLC to book an appointment today.