Tackling Drainage Issues in Your Landscape

When talking about landscaping, the word “drainage” conjures up a host of unpleasant images or at least elicits a big yawn. The fact is that drainage is an important, if somewhat mundane, part of good landscaping.

Where land is flat, soils are dense or the water table is high, a well-designed drainage system is a priority. Without proper drainage, water may collect to undermine foundation structures and drown expensive plants, turning parts of your new landscape into perpetually wet, unusable swamps. In addition, poor drainage can promote an increase in mosquitoes and accompanying health risks.

Ground water, which is directly related to rainfall patterns, can also play an important role in drainage. In low-lying areas, the water table can be just inches below the surface. Such conditions create all sorts of problems for construction and limit planting options. Rainfall is the catalyst that sets drainage problems in motion.

Heavy downpours can cause poorly drained sites to become flooded for a short time if drainage structures are in place or for extended periods if they are not. Add heavy rainfall to a high water table, and the potential for damage increases greatly. For the landscape architect, the risk of potential damage to structures caused by poor drainage can be the most important issue. Backyard drainage may also be overlooked entirely by a designer poorly trained in grading and drainage. Blue Tree Landscaping can analyze the nature of your yard and establish the exact topography, even in areas that appear flat. 

Spotting problem areas is the first step in solving them through design. Proper drainage allows you to get the most out of your lawn and landscape today, and it can help you avoid problems that might arise in the future. If you have questions about the best way to handle excessive water on your property, contact Blue Tree today.