Drainage is a critical part of any home’s landscape, but it can be tricky to get right. The last thing you want is to spend money on a new patio or garden bed only to discover that water doesn’t drain away from your house.
Fortunately, there are many ways to make sure you have full drainage capabilities in your backyard.
Check out these tips and tricks for how to add back yard drainage and get rid of excess water in no time!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| To improve backyard drainage, consider adding gravel to low spots in your yard. |
| Standing water in your backyard can attract pests such as mosquitoes. |
| You can control backyard bugs using products such as Cutter. |
| Outdoor lighting can add ambiance and set the mood in your backyard. |
| Privacy screens or fences can add privacy to your backyard. |
| Brown patch lawn disease can be treated with proper identification and care. |
| Poor yard drainage can be caused by various factors, such as soil composition and grading. |
| Evergreen trees and shrubs can help add privacy to your backyard. |
| Adding drainage or permeable pavement can help reduce standing water in your yard. |
| Popular outdoor lighting options include string lights, path lights, and spotlights. |
Inspect the Outside of your House for Signs of Drainage Problems
Before you start digging, it’s important to inspect the outside of your house for signs of drainage problems.
Look for any signs of water pooling, erosion and/or wet spots. You should also check around windows and doors as well as baseboards for mold or mildew.
If you live in an older home with a basement, it’s important to keep an eye out for leaks or cracks in the foundation (especially if you’ve had recent work done).
If you are having issues with water pooling in your yard or basement, there are ways to improve your drainage. One simple solution is to add gravel to the low spots in your yard. Learn more about how to achieve better yard drainage with our easy guide on yard drainage.
Make Sure Water Drains Away From Your House
It’s important to make sure that water drains away from your house. If it doesn’t, you could have problems like damage and mold. You might even need a professional to help with this problem.
Use PVC Pipes to Relocate Excess Water
If you have a drainage problem, there are a few things that can be done to alleviate the problem.
You can add more soil or gravel underneath your yard to help with drainage. However, if your yard already has enough drainage and all the water is still taking extra time before going into the ground, it’s time to relocate some pipes!
You’ll need PVC pipes and a connector kit. You may also need an extra pipe depending on how far away from your house you want to redirect excess water. Once you have everything together, follow these steps:
Place one end of each length of pipe into each other (i.e., fit the male end into the female end).
Drill holes in both ends of each joint so there will be room for cement when it dries later on down this process line here today I’m just gonna show how we’re connecting our two pieces together because like I said this guy’s gonna take care of all our needs pretty much
If you have standing water in your backyard, it can cause a number of problems, including attracting mosquitoes and other pests. Check out our easy way to absorb water in your backyard and keep your lawn healthy and pest-free!
Create a Swale by Digging a Trench in Your Backyard
A swale is a ditch that collects water. It’s good for directing water away from your home or garden and redirecting it into the ground.
To create a swale, dig a trench that is at least 6 inches deep into the earth with the length of your property in mind.
Make sure that you have enough room for the water to flow through after it comes down from your roof and overhang areas.
You can also add plants around your swale so that they benefit from having extra nutrients and moisture in their soil!
The plants will also help filter out any dirt or debris that may be flowing into it, which will keep things looking cleaner overall while saving you time cleaning up later on down the road too!
Consider Installing French Drains to Remove Excess Water
French drains are an effective way to remove excess water from your yard, and can be installed in conjunction with other drainage methods.
They’re usually made from PVC or clay pipe, and some even have a perforated bottom that allows for the water to flow through.
French drains can be installed on your roof or in your backyard (or both), depending on the extent of drainage you need and where you intend on putting it.
They come in a variety of sizes depending on how much water needs to be drained away for example, 1/2-inch French drains will typically drain up to 1 inch per hour while 4-inch drains will handle up to 3 inches per hour.
French drain installation is relatively simple: The pipes are laid out at an angle below grade (so they don’t take up much room), then covered with gravel before being buried under several inches of soil;
They should also be sloped away from any buildings since this prevents water pooling near them as well as helping move runoff out toward storm drains further downslope from where it was collected by nearby gutters or downspouts.”
Having bugs in your backyard can be a nuisance, but you don’t have to put up with it. Check out our guide on applying Cutter backyard bug control for effective tips and tricks to eliminate pesky bugs.
Use a Side Slope to Help Speed Up Drainage
You can use a side slope to help speed up drainage. You’ll want to slope the yard away from your house, but you also need to think about where the water will go after it drains away from your home.
There are several options:
A dry well: This is basically a hole in the ground that allows water to seep into it and then down through an underground pipe or tank.
It’s important that this type of system be installed correctly, because if water isn’t allowed to go into the well fast enough, it could backflow into your basement. If you want more information on building a dry well yourself, take a look at this article by DIY Network here!
A swale: This is another method of collecting rainwater runoff before sending it off into other areas like ditches or streams.
Basically, this means digging out an area along one side of your property where there will be space for dirt that collects when it rains heavily–making sure there’s still plenty of room left over for plants too!
The dirt will naturally slant downward toward some other location further away from where people live so there won’t be any damage done when things get wetter than usual during storms (like hurricanes!).
Best Materials for Creating a Slope
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Crushed stone | Crushed stone is a popular option for creating a slope because it is affordable, easy to install, and comes in various sizes and colors. It also allows water to flow through it, making it perfect for improving drainage. |
| Topsoil | Topsoil can be used to create a gentle slope to help speed up drainage. It is rich in organic matter, which helps to improve the quality of the soil and promote healthy plant growth. |
| Sand | Sand is an excellent option for creating a slope because it is easy to shape, dries quickly, and allows water to drain through it easily. It is commonly used in sandboxes and other play areas, but it can also be used in landscaping to improve drainage. |
| Gravel | Gravel can be used to create a slope, particularly for drainage ditches and other areas that need a more significant grade. It is durable, easy to install, and allows water to flow through it, making it a great option for improving drainage. |
| Timber | Using timber to create a slope can provide an attractive and functional solution. Wood is durable, easy to work with, and can be used to create a variety of shapes and sizes. It can also be treated with chemicals to improve its resistance to decay and pests. |
Install Gutters and Downspouts Around Your House
Adding a gutter system is another important part of your home’s drainage system. Gutters and downspouts help direct rainwater away from your home, especially when you have gutters on all sides of it.
They’re easy to install, and they come in a variety of materials that can match the style or materials of your roofing material.
Adding outdoor lighting to your backyard can help create a warm and inviting atmosphere for entertaining guests, or simply relaxing after a long day. Check out our expert advice on the best outdoor lighting options and how to install them, so you can set the right mood for any occasion.
Add a Dry Well to Help Store Excess Water in Your Backyard
Another way to deal with excess water in your backyard is by installing a dry well. A dry well is basically an underground storage tank for water, designed to get rid of excess groundwater that collects on the property.
What Are the Benefits of Installing a Dry Well?
The main benefit of installing a dry well is that it helps keep your yard looking clean and green while keeping you safe from potential flooding or drainage issues.
If you have any trees close to your home, this will also help prevent them from being damaged during heavy rains.
How Do You Install One?
Installing one isn’t too difficult they can be dug into the ground anywhere between six inches deep and four feet below ground level (depending on how much water needs storing).
If there are already natural depressions on your property like low spots or ponds, this would be an ideal place for building one!
When digging out the area where you’re planning on putting it (or where you’re adding another layer), make sure there’s at least two feet between where you plan on placing it and any utility lines (including electrical wires).
Also make sure that whatever material used as lining makes sense for where it will be situated if there’s no room nearby for runoff from melting snow then concrete blocks should suffice whereas if there’s nearby streams then clay tiles may work best!
Install a Yard Drain System to Quickly Remove Standing Water
Backyard drainage systems are used to quickly remove standing water from your yard. They consist of an underground pipe that connects to a sump pump, which removes the water through a discharge line and empties it into a storm drain or nearby creek.
The average DIYer can install a backyard drain system themselves using products available at home improvement stores; however, you can also hire professionals to do this work for you if you prefer.
To install your own backyard drainage system:
Decide on where exactly the pipe should go and how long it needs to be. Measure out the length needed and mark with stakes (or string)
So workers can see where they’re digging later on when installing the pipes and sump pumps below ground level in various locations around your property such as near trees or shrubs/bushes that tend to hold rainwater longer than other areas of grassy yards
If you want to add some privacy to your backyard, there are many options available to you. A simple and effective solution is to install a privacy fence or screen. Check out our easy way to add privacy to your backyard with this guide on DIY outdoor privacy screens.
Add Permeable Materials Where You Need Drainage Work Done in the Future
While you’re working on a project to improve your backyard drainage, consider using permeable materials like gravel or sand to help with future drainage work.
Permeable materials are porous and allow water to pass through them as opposed to holding it in place.
They can be used in areas where water collects or travels through your yard, such as areas near the house or garage.
You might also consider using permeable materials when creating swales in your yard—swales are shallow ditches that collect rainwater from low-lying areas of the yard and direct it into larger drainage ditches.
Adding gravel to these smaller swale ditches will prevent silt from building up over time and ensure that they don’t clog up completely.
Best Permeable Materials for Drainage
| Material | Description |
|---|---|
| Gravel | Gravel is a popular option for permeable surfaces because it is affordable, easy to install, and comes in a variety of sizes and colors. It also allows water to flow through easily, making it perfect for improving drainage. |
| Pervious Concrete | Pervious concrete has an open-cell structure that allows water to pass through it quickly, reducing runoff and flooding. It is also durable and long-lasting, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas. |
| Permeable Pavers | Permeable pavers are designed to allow water to penetrate through the surface into the soil below. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and can create a beautiful and functional surface for driveways, walkways, and patios. |
| Mulch | Mulch is an organic material that is commonly used to improve soil quality and reduce erosion. It allows water to penetrate through it and into the soil, making it an excellent choice for improving drainage in garden beds and other landscaping areas. |
| Crushed Shell | Crushed shell is a natural, permeable material that is commonly used for walkways and driveways. It allows water to drain through it and into the soil below, making it an excellent choice for improving drainage in coastal areas. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope that this article has helped you understand the basics of backyard drainage.
As we’ve outlined above, there are many different methods that can be used to add a yard drain system to your property.
In addition, there are many benefits to installing one including increased safety and water conservation.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you with your backyard and lawn care needs:
Brown Patch Lawn Disease: Identification and Treatment: Learn more about the causes and treatment of brown patch lawn disease with this informative article from The Spruce.
How to Identify and Control Brown Patch Disease: Scotts provides some great tips on how to identify and control brown patch lawn disease, including product recommendations and DIY solutions.
How Do I Get Rid of Brown Patches on My Lawn?: Gecko Green offers some helpful advice on how to eliminate brown patches from your lawn, including tips on watering, fertilizing, and more.
FAQs
What are some common causes of poor yard drainage?
Poor yard drainage can be caused by a variety of factors, such as soil composition, poor grading, and landscape design. It can also be caused by natural disasters such as heavy rainfalls.
How do I know if my lawn has brown patch disease?
Brown patch disease in lawns is characterized by brown, circular patches that range in size from a few inches to several feet in diameter. The infected leaves typically wilt and die, but the roots usually remain healthy.
How can I add privacy to my backyard without installing a fence?
One solution is to plant evergreen trees or shrubs along the edge of your property. You can also use outdoor screens or curtains to create a more secluded space.
What can I do to reduce the amount of standing water in my yard?
One solution is to add drainage that can help to direct standing water away from your property. You can also add permeable pavement or other landscaping elements to help absorb water.
What are some good outdoor lighting options for my backyard?
Some popular outdoor lighting options include string lights, path lights, and spotlights. You can also add lanterns, candles, or other decorative lighting elements for specific areas or events.
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.
