Looking out at your backyard to find standing water and muddy areas is no homeowner’s dream. If your backyard floods when it rains, you must act quickly to prevent that water from spreading to your home. Determining the cause of standing water and finding a drainage solution can help you permanently remove flooding.
Before determining how to fix your water issue, you should determine the cause. There are many causes of backyard flooding, including the following:
You can fix most of these issues with professional drainage solutions and keep your yard clean and dry. If you aren’t sure where to start and experience water damage, call a professional for a second opinion.
If you’ve got water pooling near your house’s foundation, Drainage Masters LLC can help. Here are six steps to remove moisture and protect your home.
Clogged gutters can overflow and create deposits up against your home. To prevent this issue, clean your gutters and downspouts and remove any debris causing improper drainage.
You may need to extend your downspouts if they are depositing water too close to your home. Your extensions should drain at the following distances:
Landscaping to prevent flooding is an attainable, long-term solution for minor water issues. Aerating compacted soil — creating openings for airflow — helps water penetrate the ground. Adding a layer of organic mulch with aeration can help absorb excess water and enhance your curb appeal.
A swale is a shallow channel that redirects water from your yard. Swales naturally guide water away from low-elevation points. A dry creek bed, similar to a swale, serves the same function.
Having professionals dig a swale can improve water flow while enhancing your landscaping. You can add plants and decorative items along your swales and dry creek beds, turning your backyard into a beautiful, functional space.
A French drain is a perforated pipe in a trench that collects and discharges groundwater. The pipes are often covered with a filter fabric and gravel for an added layer of dilution, and they are ideal for directing ground saturation and surface water away from unwanted areas.
Installing French drains on your property is highly effective for widespread soggy lawns. Our carefully constructed French drains help the pipes stay clear of debris.
A dry well is an underground container that collects runoff water and allows it to seep into the ground slowly. Most dry wells are made of concrete or plastic. These solutions work with roofing drainage systems to keep water from your lawn and prevent flooding.
If you have an existing drainage system on your roof and need extra space for water to flow, a dry well is a good option to prevent backyard floods when it rains.
For any home, your yard should be graded to slope away from your foundation. This way, rainfall will move away from your home on its own. Grading is part of your home’s construction, but regrading your lawn can be necessary as your home settles into the land.
Unlike some simple fixes, regrading is a job for professionals. It requires precision, understanding of local construction codes and the tools to do so. If you’re unsure whether your lawn needs regrading, the team at Drainage Masters LLC can conduct a careful property inspection. Our layered yard system prevents mud puddles and uses landscaping to prevent flooding.
While it’s tempting to find a solution yourself, persistent flooding typically points to a larger problem. You can clean your gutters and downspouts yourself, but calling professionals is necessary when:
The first thing to do when your backyard floods is to reach out to the professionals. You’ll save yourself time and money on larger repairs, foundation issues and a new lawn.
Need help removing standing water and preventing flooding? The professionals at Drainage Masters LLC are here to help. Our team has years of experience diagnosing drainage issues, installing solutions and removing standing water for homes in Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA.
Request an estimate online, and we will evaluate your yard to find the best long-term solution for flooding.
