The Problems With Overly Watery Yards
Everyone can think of the common problems with overly watery yards- cant use them when you want to, dead patches of grass, and a potential mosquito problem.
You may not have heard about the other yard drainage and standing water problems that can happen.
Plant diseases and fungi can start killing your yard. Water can seep into your homes foundation and basement, causing issues. It can even start making its way into your home.
Along with this damage, mold and mildew can start growing. If this gets into your home it can cause health problems
Get A Professionally Installed Lawn Drainage System Call North Georgia Lawn
At North Georgia Lawn, we can install surface drainage structures to quickly and efficiently remove excess water. We can even integrate them into the landscape, so they are less intrusive. We also offer aeration services to break up compacted soil and keep the water off the surface. If youve got standing water, dont wait call or contact us online today to get a custom drainage enhancement. For more tips on landscaping and lawn care, visit our monthly blog!
Diy Yard Drainage Methods
Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.
Kelly Bacon is a licensed general contractor with over 40 years of experience in construction, home building and remodeling, and commercial building. He is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
The Spruce / Margot Cavin
Effective yard drainage is key to keeping not just your yard dry but also your house in good shape. DIY yard drainage methods are mostly inexpensive and simple to implement. The goal is to drain flooded areas of your yard and to prevent water from moving toward the house’s foundation. With proper drainage, your home, yard, and everything within the home will remain dry and secure.
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What Can You Do To Prevent Or Fix The Problem Of Standing Water In Your Yard
The best way to prevent or reduce standing water in yard with clay soil is to improve the drainage. This can be done by adding organic matter to the soil to improve its ability to absorb water or by installing a drainage system. However, there are a few things you can do to prevent or fix the problem of standing water in your yard:
- One is to make sure that the soil is properly graded so that water will drain away from your house and yard.
- Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are clear and functioning properly, so that water has a clear path away from your home.
- If you have any low-lying areas in your yard, consider filling them in or redirecting the flow of water away from them.
- Install a French drain or other type of drainage system to help collect and redirect water away from problem areas in your yard.
- Finally, you can make sure that any trees or shrubs in your yard are planted in an area that will not cause them to retain water and create pooling.
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How Can You Reduce The Risk Of Health Problems From Standing Water In A Clay Soil Yard
There are several ways to reduce the risk of health problems from standing water in a clay soil yard:
- Install a French drain or other type of drainage system to remove the water from the yard.
- Remove any standing water with a pump or other means as soon as possible.
- Keep the area around the standing water clean and free of debris.
- Cover the standing water with a tarp or other type of cover to prevent mosquito breeding.
Clean And Repair Gutter Systems
If water is pooling near your homes foundation, a likely culprit is your gutter system. Spring is a good time to clean out gutters and downspouts since theyve probably accumulated a lot of leaves and debris over the winter. All that gunk stops up the flow in the gutters and pours the water out in unintended places. You can also extend your downspouts to ensure water is flowing away from the house.
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How To Remove Standing Water In Lawns
Georgias dense, clay-based soils frequently lead to water retention in our laws, i.e., standing water. When this water does not drain properly, it can cause numerous problems, from lawn diseases to mosquitoes. In landscaping terms, we call excess water oversaturation. Oversaturation can negatively impact the level of the lawn, damage turfgrass, and other plants, make your yard inviting for insects, and more. Todays blog will show you how to tackle this annoying dilemma.
French Drain And/or Dry Well
Problem of standing water in a yard can be solved by installation of a French drain and dry well. Water runs into a gravel filled trench then into a perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench and finally into a dry well or drainage source.
A dry well usually fitted at the end point of a creek or French drain collects and disperse water into the surrounding soil. It is usually perforated on the side walls and best placed in an area where the soil drains well.
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How To Best Solve Yard Drainage And Standing Water Problems
This Is How People In Wood County And Lucas County, Ohio Solve Yard Drainage And Standing Water Problems
Everyone hates having problems like these because it limits how and how often you can use your backyard. Its hard to enjoy it when it becomes swampy after every rainstorm.
In this post, you can find a few different ways to fix watery backyard problems. You can also discover what problems can happen if you dont solve them.
Fix Your Drainage System
Check and remove debris and silt from the nearby exterior drainage systems. You may use a shovel to scope out the materials that are causing the blockage. Also consider diverting the runoff away from your backyard if the flooding is caused by a gutter system. Direct them into a storm drain or other safe drainage source and not towards neighboring property.
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Reasons You Might Have Standing Water
There are many potential causes for standing or pooling water. For example, homeowners might be too eager when watering their lawns. If they cut back on how often they run their sprinkler system, they might be able to eliminate the problem. But in other cases, the issue may go a lot deeper. Improper lawn grading may cause water to collect in low spots, rather than having a slope guide the water towards a sewer or the street. Your propertys soil type could also cause standing water to form, as the typical clay-based soils found in the Northern Virginia region are naturally less able to drain water efficiently. A lawn thats covered in leaves and grass clippings can also keep water from permeating into the soil properly.
Essentially, a variety of reasons can be to blame for the standing water. If this is a problem youre experiencing, its time to consider innovative drainage and erosion solutions to nip it in the bud.
Other Backyard Drainage Problems And Solutions
If weve learned anything in the years that weve been helping people with their landscape issues, its that there are as many specific drainage problems and solutions as there are yards. However, most of them fall into the basic categories already detailed above.
That being said, here are a few more issuesand solutionswe havent discussed:
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What To Do With A Defunct Pool
Lets say that you got tired of your pool, orthat your pool began to be more of a burden than it was a joy. This happens,and when it does, some pool owners simply let the pool fall into a state ofneglect.
This isnt a smart thing to do, especially if youre concerned about property values. A pool thats defunct, and no longer in use, is a pool that should be filled in or otherwise removed from the property.
Keeping your pool open to the air is a fast wayto make standing water far more dangerous, especially if youre not maintainingthe land nearby. For everyones sake, remove, replace, or fill the pool if youno longer can use it.
Is Standing Water In My Yard Bad
youve ever walked outside and found standing water in your yard, its probably safe to assume that you didnt jump for joy. It is truly an unwanted guest. Why? Because standing water creates a place for different pests to make a home in your space- and we already have enough mosquitoes around as it is! On top of that, standing water can damage your yard and ultimately prevent grass from growing well in certain areas. This leads to patchy, unhealthy grass. If the standing water is near your homes foundation, it could cause serious damage to your home. The concrete that makes up your foundation is porous, and water standing nearby will naturally seep in to fill those pores. Over time, the rainwater can cause the concrete to break down and crack. This poses an even greater threat in the wintertime, as the water that has seeped into your foundation freezes and expands- sending cracks throughout the concrete. Cracks in your foundation cause your home to shift and become unsettled. So, if it hasnt been made clear, standing water causes a slew of problems and should be dealt with.
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How To Remove Standing Water In Your Yard With A French Drain
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Standing water in your yard is an eyesore and can act as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Installing a French drain is a great way to remove standing water from your yard.
To construct a French drain:
- Dig a trench in your yard where water is standing.
- Add a bed of pea gravel to the bottom of the trench.
- Wrap a perforated, flexible, plastic landscape pipe with landscape fabric, or use pipe that is ready made for use in a French drain.
- Position the pipe in the trench so the top is below ground level.
- Leave one or both ends of the pipe open so the water can drain away.
- Cover the sides and top of the pipe with more pea gravel.
Watch this video to find out more.
Flooding And Water Damage Repair Costs
Water damage repairs cost between $1,000 and $4,000. These are among the worst problems homeowners face. Excessive moisture can damage your home’s structural integrity, cause mold and mildew growth, and destroy furniture. Additionally, fixing flooding damage will require the help of licensed professionals. Attempting a DIY repair or cleanup can result in these serious threats to your family’s health and safety.
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The Dangers And Cost Of Standing Water
Stagnant water around your home can seep below the surface and damage your foundation. âExcessive groundwater can also cause sinkholes, which can be dangerous to people and animals,â says Botelho.
Repairing your foundation could cost up to $11,000. Additionally, standing water can deteriorate your basement flooring and walls, which could lead to flooding or even a total collapse. It can also hurt the outside of your home. Consistent moisture can create a muddy yard and make certain kinds of landscaping impossible. Regular wetness can also erode your driveways and walkways. Repairing a driveway typically costs around $1,500.
The Risks Of Standing Water
First, lets explore why standing water matters. This type of drainage problem doesnt look very appealing. It can be a real eyesore, particularly if youve devoted a lot of effort to improving the rest of your yard. However, standing water is more than just unsightly it can also result in unsafe consequences. It can kill your grass and plantings, harm your homes foundation and attract mosquitoes and other pests. Even if youre not all that concerned about the look of your yard, youll want to get rid of standing water to help prevent these other issues.
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Why Your Yard Has Standing Water And How To Remove It
We hear it every single summer: warnings from the government about the importance of removing standing water pools from your yard. Standing water can attract mosquitoes, ruin the yard, and bring other pests to your home.
Why does your yard have standing water, and how do you remove it? Standing water happens when dips in surfaces cause water to collect and pile up in certain areas of your yard. Removing it can require resurfacing your lawn, reducing the number of places where water can congregate, or installing a water drainage system.
Standing water can pose a serious health risk toyour family and your neighbors. This guide will tell you everything you need toknow in order to remove the standing water in your yard and keep your familysafe.
Figuring out how to get rid of those standing water pools involves working backwards and figuring how to get rid of the cause. This guide is here to help!
Isnt Pool Water Standing Water
Pools are meant to contain water, and its notlike that water is meant to keep flowing in most cases. So, whats the dealwith stagnant water in pools? Isnt it all stagnant water?
Stagnant water refers to water that is not cleaned, not chlorinated, and prone to bacterial infections. Stagnant water is dirty water, water that is prone to causing infestations from pests.
Knowing this difference is crucial. Keeping your pool water well-maintained is vital to avoiding typical problems caused by stagnant water.
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Ways To Get Rid Of Standing Water In A Yard
Fixing pooling water in a yard after heavy rain can be a difficult and lengthy process, and most homeowners dont want to wait until its evaporated to deal with the problem. Once you know whats causing the standing water in your garden or yard, take a look at these strategies to help you get rid of the excess water.
Low Spots In The Yard
Properties located in high precipitation regions and those that are situated at the bottom of a hill are more prone to issues with standing water. Even homes in regular areas may have low spots which can cause water to pool when it rains. The easiest way to fix this problem is by addressing the grading around the foundation of your home. This will prevent serious damage to your foundation, such as water seepage.
Creating a French drain is one way to divert water away from low areas. This is simply a downward sloping gravel-filled trench. In most cases, these are connected to a drain tile that directs the water to a dry well or a drainage pipe. A dry creek is an aesthetically pleasing option that serves the same function as a French drain but without the use of a pipe.
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Does Your Lawn Turn Into A Swampy Mess Every Time It Rains Hard If So Pursue One Of These Yard Drainage Solutions Not Only To Allay Your Aesthetic Concerns But Also Because Standing Water Can Pose Serious Problems
By Bob Vila | Updated Oct 8, 2020 9:45 AM
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Please help. My yard stays wet when it rains. I live in a subdivision with flat terrain. Is there a solution that does not cost a lot of money?
You have a few options, but none of them are cheap. First, I would invite a full-service landscaping company to examine your property, diagnose the problem, and submit an estimate. Even if you opt not to hire the company, the consultation would help you to understand the cause of the problem. Knowing only the basics of your situation, I can offer some general info on yard drainage solutions, but you really should talk to a pro in your area.
Install Underground Drainage Pipe
An underground drainage pipe can be installed to drain water from your yard to a storm drain or dry well. The pipe should slope downhill or towards a lower area than your yard. This is an easier method of drying up a wet yard.
Simply dig a gradually sloping trench from the source to outlet and burry a PVC drainpipe. Install a plastic catch basin at the source and let the water smoothly move away from a yard.
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Causes Of Standing Water In Yard Clay Soil
Clay soil is one of the most common types of soil in the United States. It is also one of the most difficult types of soil to work with. Clay soil is very dense and does not drain well. This can lead to problems with standing water in your yard.
There are several reasons why clay soil might not drain properly. One reason is that the clay particles are so small that they compact together tightly, making it difficult for water to move through the soil. Another reason is that clay soil has a very low porosity, meaning that there are few spaces between the soil particles for water to move through.
You can improve the drainage of your clay soil by adding organic matter to it. Organic matter, such as compost, can help to improve the structure of your clay soil and make it more porous. This will allow water to move through the soil more easily and improve drainage.
Clay soil can also be improved by adding sand to it. The sand will help to improve drainage by increasing the porosity of the soil.
Its important to note that you should not add too much sand to your clay soil, as this can actually make the problem worse. Only add enough sand to improve the drainage of your clay soil.
Improving the drainage of your clay soil can be a bit of a challenge, but its well worth it in the end. Your yard will look better and youll have fewer problems with standing water.