If you’re living in an area that gets heavy rainfall, it’s important to take proactive steps to manage water flow and protect your home. Poor drainage can lead to serious structural damage and toxic mold outbreaks that cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Proactive measures, such as installing gutters and drainage ditches, redirecting surface water, French drains, and swales can help prevent these costly issues.
The most popular way to direct rainwater away from a home is by using gutter systems. The system’s downspouts take the rainwater from the roof and direct it toward the ground. This is the best option for many homeowners, as it’s inexpensive and relatively easy to install. However, it’s important to regularly clean out gutters to avoid clogs and maintain proper water flow.
Gutters are also a great solution for redirecting water flow this website because they can easily be installed in places that don’t have a natural path of runoff. These areas could include backyards, driveways and sidewalks. Stagnant water with nowhere to go can saturate soil and cause mud puddles, which may attract mosquitoes and other undesirable pests. It can also cause foundation damage, which can be very expensive to fix.
Thoughtful landscaping is another functional and visually appealing option for redirecting water flow. Grading the yard to slope away from the house, along with strategic placement of plants, rocks and mulch can slow down runoff and promote soil absorption. French drains are another low-cost and effective drainage solution that can be incorporated into your landscape. The drains are trenches filled with gravel and perforated pipe that direct excess water away from the home.
Swales, sometimes called drainage wells or dry wells, are another good low-cost option for redirecting water. The buried pits are easy to hide and blend into the landscape, making them a discreet solution for preventing drainage problems. These wells can be used for a variety of purposes, including redirecting water from downspouts and reducing flooding around the foundation.
To help you determine the most appropriate solution for your home, we recommend taking a walk during heavy rain. This will give you a better idea of how the property’s hydrology functions during a rain event and whether there are any areas that need improvement. Then, we can work together to create a customized plan for directing surface and subsurface water to minimize the risk of damage to your home and property.