If you’ve noticed that your yard is starting to look like a swamp, it’s time to take action. The good news is that there are many different ways for you to dry out your yard and get rid of all that standing water. Here’s how:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Understand the causes of standing water in your yard. |
| Look for potential signs of poor drainage. |
| Implement proper landscape grading to direct water away from your home. |
| Consider installing a French drain, swale, or drywell to address standing water. |
| Keep gutters, downspouts, and drains cleaned and clear to ensure proper drainage. |
Consider A Water Absorbent Yard Blanket
One way to absorb standing water is by using a water-absorbent blanket. A water-absorbent blanket can be used to prevent water from seeping into the ground, preventing erosion and pooling in your yard.
It can also reduce the amount of water usage you have on your property, which means less money spent on bills!
To ensure proper drainage and prevent standing water in your yard, it’s important to add a backyard drainage system. This guide provides tips on how to plan and install a drainage system in your yard.
Shovel It Away
Shoveling is probably the most common solution to this problem, and it’s certainly the easiest. You can use a shovel to remove both water that has pooled on flat ground (like in your driveway) and water that has pooled on the sloped ground (like in your yard).
Just make sure you don’t dig down into the ground itself you want to scoop up as much water as possible without digging any deeper than necessary.
If you have enough time and energy, it might be worth raking or vacuuming away some of the excess dirt so that there isn’t any loose soil left behind after shoveling.
As with other methods of removal, this one also comes with its own set of caveats:
Make sure to remove all standing water from where it’s standing if someone steps out onto newly-shoveled areas before they dry off, they could slip and fall!
Be careful when walking around areas where you’ve just removed large amounts of excess water; if it looks like areas are still wet but aren’t being tended to regularly (such as an unfinished basement), consider hiring professional help instead!
Build An Underground Drainage System
An underground drainage system consists of a perforated pipe that runs from a drier area of your yard to the water source.
The pipe should be installed on a slightly downward slope, so it allows water to flow into it instead of pooling on the surface.
The advantage of installing an underground drainage system is that you won’t need to worry about where the water is going—it will simply drain away into the ground once it’s collected in your yard.
An easy way to install an underground drainage system is by digging shallow trenches along any low points in your yard (in this case, near trees), placing bricks or stones across each trench, and then laying down corrugated metal (also called corrugated iron) over top of them.
Alternatively, look for pieces at construction sites or home improvement stores if they’re available at a reasonable price; you may even find some usable pieces lying around from other projects!
If you’re looking for additional ways to absorb water in your backyard, check out this article on how to absorb water in backyard using sandbags. Learn how sandbags can be an effective solution for mitigating excess water in your yard.
Build A French Drain
What is a French drain? It’s a trench filled with gravel that drains water away from the foundation of your home, or any other building you may have.
It should be at least 1 foot deep and 2 feet wide. The trench should be sloped so that water flows into the bottom of it, and then out through a perforated pipe into an area where you want it to go (like your yard).
You can put landscape fabric in this area to help prevent erosion as well as plant trees or shrubs on top of it!
Fix The Grading Around Your Property
Grading is the process of leveling your yard in order to make it more conducive to water absorption. When you have a sloped yard, water will run downhill towards a pooling area and not be absorbed by your lawn.
This can lead to a wetter area in your yard that needs constant attention and cause potential erosion problems if you don’t fix it quickly.
To grade your yard, use an edger or spade (depending on whether you have an existing border) to dig up small sections of soil and move them over slightly so that they’re level with each other and with the rest of the yard.
You may also need to add some dirt or mulch into low areas if they aren’t naturally elevated enough for good drainage.
If there are any major changes needed, such as when building a new home or adding landscaping features like patios or ponds, consult with a professional landscaper before beginning work on any grading projects so they can help ensure everything is done properly!
Achieving better yard drainage is crucial for preventing issues like standing water and water damage. Learn about the different ways to improve yard drainage, such as installing a French Drain, Slope or utilizing Drywell to help direct water away from your home.
Check Your Sprinkler System For Leaks And Malfunctions.
Check your sprinkler system for leaks and malfunctions. Locate the main water shut-off valve and turn it off.
Turn on any faucets in your yard to release any pressure built up in pipes. If you find leaks, repair them as soon as possible, but be careful not to overfill or overtighten any connections this can damage the pipe further.
Next, make sure that your sprinkler system is working correctly by testing it with a sprinkler leak detector (also called a “soaker hose” or “leak tester”).
This device is usually made from a length of rubber hose with two attached hoses: one end has an opening that fits onto a faucet; the other end has small holes along its side so water can flow through it when turned on.
Connect this hose to an outdoor faucet using a screwdriver and then open the valve at its top until you hear air bubbles coming out of one side of it there are no leaks in your system’s pipes!
Get Out Your Garden Hose
Get out your garden hose. To ensure you get the best result, make sure that the water is flowing in a way that it can soak into any areas of standing water. You’ll also want to leave it running for a few minutes so it has time to work its magic.
If you’re having trouble getting rid of all the standing water yourself, or if your yard is particularly large, call a professional landscaper to come out and take care of it for you.
Standing water in your yard can lead to a number of issues, so it’s important to know how to absorb the water quickly. Check out this guide on how to absorb water in yard using towels and blankets to learn how to tackle standing water in a pinch.
Create Rain Gardens Or Swales
Rain gardens and swales are the best ways to absorb standing water in your yard. A rain garden is a shallow depression located in the landscape that is designed to collect and retain rainwater.
They are effective at reducing runoff because they use plants to filter out pollutants before it enters the groundwater system and also provide habitat for native wildlife.
The plants will absorb some of the rain, but leaving it there will cause mosquito larvae to grow in stagnant water which can lead to outbreaks of West Nile Virus or other diseases.
Swales are another great alternative when there’s too much water on your property, especially if you’re looking for something more aesthetically pleasing than a large hole dug into your yard!
Swales are basically trenches filled with gravel or stones (called swale liners) so they can hold large amounts of water without filling up too quickly; this ensures that there’s always enough space between them and any nearby structures like homes/buildings.”
Plant Drainage Tolerant Plants
The next step is to plant plants that tolerate wet soil. Plants that are drainage tolerant are those that grow well in sandy, loamy and even clay soils.
Plants such as sedges, rushes, and grasses have an extensive root system that helps them absorb water from a wide area of the soil around them.
They also have fibrous root systems which help prevent erosion by holding onto topsoil when it rains or snows heavily.
Plants that will not tolerate damp conditions include cacti, succulents, heathers and most other desert plants; however, there is one exception – bamboo!
Bamboo thrives in wet areas because its roots reach deep into the ground where they have access to underground water sources (you’ll learn more about this later).
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to plant your lawn then check out our list of 25 lawn types of grass below:
- Bermuda Grass
- Bentgrass Lawns (Bent)
- Bluegrass Lawns (Kentucky)
Properly maintaining your yard’s sprinkler system can prevent water waste and ensure even coverage across your lawn. Learn how to adjust your yard’s sprinkler heads with this helpful guide on how to adjust yard sprinkler heads. With a few simple steps, you can adjust the water spray on your sprinkler heads to ensure efficient and effective watering of your yard.
Clean Out Your Gutters Regularly
Cleaning the gutters is a simple and important task that can help prevent water damage to your home.
You should clean your gutters at least twice each year, once in the spring when you’re clearing away snow, and again in the fall after leaves have fallen. Even if you don’t see any buildup, it’s a good idea to clean them anyway so they won’t become clogged over time.
To clean your gutters, you’ll need to use either a ladder or bucket with rope or steps in order to reach them safely. Start by removing any debris that may be stuck along the edges of your gutter (leaves, twigs etc.).
Use a broom or leaf blower if there are lots of leaves and other debris built up; this will keep them from being pushed into other parts of your home when it rains heavily.
Next, run an absorbent cloth down all sides of each section at least twice until nothing sticks anymore!
The Importance Of Cleaning Your Gutters Regularly
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Prevents water damage to your home’s foundation and roof | Safety concerns when using ladders to access gutters |
| Helps prevent leaks in the roof | Time-consuming and messy |
| Ensures proper water drainage | Requires periodic cleaning, which can become inconvenient |
| Maintains attractiveness of home’s exterior | Neglecting gutters can lead to costly repairs |
| May prevent mold and mildew from forming | Difficult to clean out completely without professional help |
Create A Dry Well Or Rain Barrels
Keeping rainwater on your property is a great way to reduce your water bill and help the environment. There are many ways you can do this, including creating a dry well or setting up rain barrels.
A dry well is an underground cavity that collects water from the ground around it and stores it for future use.
A rain barrel is a large container for collecting water from your roof’s gutters in order to use later on your landscaping or indoor plants.
Rain barrels are very easy to set up: just attach one end of the hose from your gutter downspouts onto the barrel lid, then fill up!
You can also purchase pumps for them so that you don’t have to manually pump out each time you want to use some water somewhere else in the house (like filling up pots).
Creating a Dry Well or Rain Barrels
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reduces water bill by reusing rainwater | Initial costs to set up |
| Helps the environment by reducing water consumption | Requires ongoing maintenance |
| Prevents excess rainwater from damaging yard and home | Limited capacity of rain barrels |
| Self-sufficient source of water for some gardening and landscaping needs | May not be practical in areas with low rainfall |
| Can be incorporated into attractive, decorative landscaping features | Can attract mosquitoes if not properly maintained |
Further Reading
How to Fix a Wet Spot in Your Yard – This guide explains how to fix wet spots in your yard using different techniques, ensuring proper drainage and a healthy lawn.
5 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Standing Water in Your Lawn – This article provides a few easy and effective steps to take to solve your lawn’s standing water issues.
Standing Water in Yard: How to Identify and Fix the Problem – This comprehensive guide provides information to identify potential water issues in your yard and offers solutions for fixing the problem.
FAQs
What causes standing water in a yard?
Standing water in a yard can be caused by a variety of factors, including issues with drainage, low spots in the yard, excessive rainfall, or a high water table.
What are some potential problems that standing water can cause in a yard?
Standing water in a yard can lead to a variety of problems, including water damage to structures, erosion, mosquito breeding, and damage or death to grass and plants.
How do I deal with standing water in my yard?
There are several ways to deal with standing water in your yard, including creating proper drainage with either a French drain, swale, or drywell, filling in low spots, or using natural materials like sandbags to absorb water.
Can standing water in my yard be prevented?
While not all standing water issues can be prevented, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of it occurring. Keeping gutters, downspouts, and drains clean and clear is one way to ensure proper drainage. Additionally, creating proper grading and maintaining a healthy lawn can help absorb excess water.
How can I tell if my yard has drainage issues?
Some signs that your yard might have a drainage issue include pooling water or muddy areas, water damage to structures or foundations, and slow-draining sinks or toilets. It’s important to address any drainage issues promptly to prevent further damage.
All It Takes Is A Bit Of Patience For The Water To Vanish
It is okay if you have a problem with standing water in your yard. You are not alone. For most homeowners, it is not a quick fix, but it is a solution. Water can be stubborn and can take some time to disappear from your yard. It is important to know that this problem will be solved, though!
If the standing water on your lawn has been there for more than a week, then it may mean that you need to do something else besides just absorb it into the ground.
The first thing to do would be to check if there’s any kind of leak in or around your house that could be causing this issue (you don’t want mold growing!). If everything looks good there, then try using these steps:
Conclusion
Even though water retention in your yard may seem like an unsolvable problem, it’s actually one that can be solved with a little bit of patience and the right tools.
The key is to look at all possible solutions and determine what will work best for your situation. Whether you choose to install underground drainage systems or keep a close eye on your sprinkler system so it doesn’t leak, there are plenty of options out there for you!
Hi! My name is Hellen James, and I’m here to help you with your home-maintenance needs. Whether it’s building a better yard or just trying to fix a garden—I can show you how.
