If, since our recent heavy rains you have noticed areas of your garden or landscape where water is pooling, you could have a drainage problem. Now is the best time of year to evaluate whether or not you have any water that is not draining.
Drainage is the basis of a good landscape. Without proper drainage your home or building's foundation could be at risk.
Standing water will kill your plants and is one of the causes of soil compaction in turf areas. Even worse, the water will attract mosquitoes and other unwanted insects. Even raised planters need drainage systems so that excess moisture does not saturate plant roots.
There are a variety of drainage systems designed to remove unwanted water from an area whether it is a residential or commercial site.
Downspout Landscape Drainage
Designed to carry roof water away from landscaped gardens and turf areas.
It consists of a PVC pipe being attached to your roofing drainage and being positioned so that it will not lead or carry water into any part of your landscaped area. It does not completely remove water from your property but will assist in moving excessive water to where it is needed.
Catch Basins
Can be placed under downspouts when it is undesirable or not possible to tie into the gutter.
They tie into a PVC main drain line instead and carry water out through the landscape drainage system.
Usually they are a plastic or concrete box that uses a plastic or metal drain grate cover to filter out leaves and other waste debris.
Channel Drains
Long, narrow strip drains which are used between main structures and paving or at the edge of a patio or deck.
French Drain
It is a small ditch that is filled with undersized rocks or gravel designed to remove water from saturated soil.
Deck Drains
Installed in patios, decks and walkways so that water is either sloped toward them or into landscaped beds. They have special drain covers, usually decorative, made of metal or stone.
About Grading
Grading on your property is also essential.
A couple of notes about grading: make sure that the ground slopes away from your home and that your neighbor's property is not situated so that water flows into yours. Call Gardeners' Guild if you have a question about or need help with grading.
