Handling Landscape Drainage Problems Like a Pro

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Handling Landscape Drainage Problems Like a Pro

You can get everything right on your landscape, but if your property does not have proper drainage, you will never be able to achieve your landscaping goals. Drainage is important for every landscape because too much water is harmful to your plants and can lead to more serious landscaping issues. Poor drainage can even result in damage to the foundation of your home if you aren’t careful. The truth is that most landscapers will deal with drainage issues at some point, which is why learning a little bit about how to fix drainage problems will serve you well.


Below, you will find a few ways to handle landscape drainage problems like a pro. These tips are practical ways to keep water flowing efficiently on your property. We will also mention a few ways to identify drainage issues. Keep reading below to learn more and remember to reach out to Cal Blend Soils if you are interested in purchasing high-quality landscaping products that will help you achieve all of your landscaping goals.

Your Foundation has Low Elevation

One of the common reasons for poor drainage on a property has to do with the foundation of the house. If your home’s foundation has poor elevation, it can lead to water pooling up around your home’s interior. This can cause huge issues that are expensive to remedy if you let things go unnoticed for a while. For example, you might have problems with your drywall or wood floors and even be dealing with permanent foundation failure if you aren’t careful.

The best way to handle drainage problems related to your home’s foundation is to focus on grading around your home. Grading provides a way for water to flow freely and prevents it from pooling up directly around your house’s foundation. You also might want to consider adding a drainage system that can keep water away from your house.

Erosion is Derailing Your Landscaping Goals

It’s common for landscape drainage problems to lead to erosion. Erosion is bad because it means that the valuable nutrients in the ground are constantly being washed away during periods of rain. This is bad news for landscapers because they will always be struggling to keep their soil on their property. Soil is crucial for plants to grow healthy and if its always washing away, your property will never be able to reach its full potential. This problem is even more common for landscapers whose property is on a hill or a slope.

There are few ways to approach this drainage problem like a professional. First, consider planting cover crops that can reduce the runoff of soil significantly. Plants like trees and bushes will develop strong root systems that help to keep the soil in place when it rains. You also might want to consider groundcover or certain broadleaf plants. Additionally, you can invest in landscaping products like topsoil that allow water to flow more freely in the soil. Erosion is often worse when the soil is compacted and doesn’t allow water to flow, so keep that in mind.

Build a Rain Garden

If you have an area of your landscaping that is a low spot, the chances are good that it tends to collect water whenever it rains. That’s why you should consider this landscaping tip. Building a rain garden is a great way to reduce runoff and erosion. They are easy to install and also can provide your property’s curb appeal with a nice boost. A rain garden is basically an area of your yard that is specifically designed to catch water.

You can fill a rain garden with plants that love water and won’t be stressed out by significant water exposure. The idea is to create an area of your landscaping that collects water and drains away from the rest of your property. Most of the time, native plants with deep fibrous roots will work the best for a rain garden. This is one of the smarter ways to handle drainage problems like a pro.

Be Mindful of Gutter Spouts

Most homes feature gutters that help landscapers direct the flow of water away from their home’s foundation and into the natural environment. However, it is important to be mindful of where your gutters are sending water and make changes if they are not working the way that you intended. If your gutters are emptying into bed areas or causing large pools of water to form on your landscape, it might be a good idea to change them up.

Try to direct the flow of water from your gutters downhill and away from garden beds and your lawn. You can also think about investing in downspouts that redirect the flow of water from your gutters to new areas. This might take some trial and error, but ultimately it can make a big difference in how drainage works on your property. Make sure you are mindful of gutter spouts on your property if you are experiencing drainage-related issues.

Consider Adding a Dry Well

If you really want to approach drainage issues on your landscape like a pro, then you should consider adding a dry well. A dry well is great because it collects water and slowly distributes it into the soil over several days. Instead of having a ton of water flowing all over your property at once, a dry well helps to regulate it.

Keep in mind that a dry well will likely need to be installed by a professional team. However, it is a worthy investment that can reduce the excess buildup of water above the ground and keep your landscape drainage functioning well. This is a great idea if you’ve tried almost everything and can’t seem to get drainage right on your landscape.

Drainage is Vital

Drainage is vital for any landscaper that wants their property to reach its full potential. We hope the list of tips above can help you out with your drainage issues and make the most out of your property.