Drainage Problem Solutions For Residential Properties

Drainage Problem Solutions To Solve Most Drainage Problems

Finding the right drainage problem solution is an important step to solving what can become a major headache on any residential property. Drainage problems can cause expensive property damage, damage to landscaping and lawns, and even potential health issues. Drainage problem solutions often involve a multi-pronged plan using several different methodologies. The first step in identifying which drainage problem solution is right for an situation is identifying where water is coming from, and where it is going.

Solving drainage problems usually comes down to a few simple rules. Water always runs downhill and water will always find the easiest way to get to where it is going. The key to solving drainage problems usually comes in facilitating those two rule.

There is no one magical way to solve most drainage problems. The solution usually involves a combination of the following methods.

Grading For Results

The first step in deciding which drainage problem solution to employ involves making sure water is moving in the desired direction. This involves studying the grade and topography of the site. Making sure water can move away from a house or out of a low area is a good starting point. Remember the rules above; water always travels down hill. Creating slope away from a home makes sure that water moves away from it. Adding quality soil against the foundation can solve this. It may be necessary to temporarily lift and set aside existing plants, or, an opportunity to re-landscape the foundation. Making sure patios and other hardscape surface also slope away from the house is also important.

French Drains and Flow Wells

Sometimes there is just nowhere for the water to go. Low areas and depressions present a unique challenge to solving a drainage problem. The solution is to remove the water from the surface and help the water soak into the ground. French Drains and Flow-Wells are excellent drainage problem solutions for this. They are essentially gravel trenches or pits constructed just under the surface to act as holding areas for excess water. The water soaks through the ground surface into these areas until it can permeate further into the ground.

Downspout Pipes

There is a lot of water that is shed off a roof in a rainstorm. It is funneled into the gutters and then down the downspouts. Connecting underground pipes to the downspouts and daylighting them far from the foundation prevents a lot of water from ever coming in contact with the foundation. A little caution; water flow out of the pipe can cause erosion or even accidently flood your neighbor’s property. Use good judgement when deciding where the pipe will exit and consider using a pop-up emitter to help dissipate the outflow.

Create A Dry Stream

Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and the best solution is to just help what is happening naturally. Water always finds its path down a hill and along the way it can cause erosion and rutting. One of the best ways, and possibly most attractive, is to create a dry stream. A dry stream is created by using gravels, rocks and boulders to line the path that water follows. Occasionally some excavation is necessary to make this path more efficient. A dry stream is also an opportunity to introduce interesting plants into the landscape.