Just by looking at a landscape, the average homeowner may not be able to see one of the biggest threats to a property: water flowing where it’s not supposed to. However, improper drainage can cause significant damage to the features of a landscape as well as the home, making a serious problem for homeowners. Landscaping professionals have that eye that can spot potential drainage problems before disasters occur. Take a big worry off your plate in 2022: address these drainage issues in Briarcliff Manor and Croton, NY.
Water finds the quickest way downhill, and hopefully “downhill” isn’t towards your home or the neighbor’s home. Even if water is directed away from the foundation, the downhill flow of water can create pooling in your landscape, drowning grasses and plants, and causing considerable damage to the landscape.
If you notice erosion, flooding, or pooling in your landscape, the problem can surely get worse. It’s better to act quickly when you see the warning signs. There are a few techniques to direct water away from structures into desirable locations.
Grading
Grading the land will create a natural way for water to flow. In order for proper drainage to take place, the slope needs to have a downhill grade of at least two percent. However, three percent is considered more effective.
Related: 4 BENEFITS OF ADDING DRAINAGE TO A LANDSCAPE IN SOMERS AND CROTON, NY
Retaining Walls
A retaining wall is an essential component of preventing drainage problems. These structures can be constructed as gravity walls of less than 3 feet high for shallow slopes, or they can be engineered, geo-grid reinforced walls up to 25’ or more for steeper slopes. Either way, their job is to prevent the down-slope flow of water and waterlogged soil.
Drain Pipes
The gutter system collects a considerable amount of rain runoff, snowmelt, and debris from the roof of a home. Drain pipes are designed to direct the water onto the downhill slope and get it away from the foundation of the home and direct it to a desirable location such as a pond, creek, catch basin, or a municipal storm drain system.
Drain pipes can also be used in conjunction with catchment drains. These drains may be advantageous in certain rocky landscapes or other situations, but they have a disadvantage around lots of plant life. The drain pipes and catchment drains can clog with debris over time, so they must be cleaned and maintained on a routine schedule.
Related: 4 DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS THAT COMPLEMENT YOUR CORTLANDT MANOR LANDSCAPING
Drain Channels
Drain channels are an effective way to divert water to a desirable location without harming the landscape. Paved surfaces, driveways in particular, cover a large amount of area of the ground that would normally absorb much of the excess water. This forces the water to collect at the edge of the paved areas, damaging the landscape. Drain channels can be built to mimic the same masonry aesthetics as your landscape and home while providing an essential function for your property.
Permeable Pavers
Landscapers can go one step further to enhance your paved surfaces and protect your landscape from erosion. Permeable pavers help eliminate the need for drainage improvements by allowing excess water to enter the groundwater through the small spaces between the pavers. This will help replenish the groundwater supply as well as protect the paved surfaces during harsh freeze-thaw cycles in the winter.
Related: 4 SIGNS YOU NEED TO HIRE A DRAINAGE PROFESSIONAL IN PEEKSKILL AND YORKTOWN, NY