No matter what your landscape looks like, you may not have thought about how your yard drains water. After all, since plants and grass need water, they should be able to handle the moisture. But sometimes your landscape can’t handle all the PNW rainy climate throws at it. When that happens, your yard may end up with soggy spots and standing water, which can create bigger problems than a muddy yard.
Fortunately, you can improve a yard’s drainage with the right drainage system. From French drains to dry wells, you’ve got options.
Signs You May Need a Drainage System in Your Yard
Some signs of poor drainage are easy to spot, like standing water in your yard or excess water on your driveway. Other signs are equally easy to spot, but you may not connect it to drainage issues. Some of these signs are:
- Cracks or leaks in your home’s foundation
- Soil erosion
- Bare spots in your yard (where the grass doesn’t seem to grow)
- The existing drainage system has debris
- Overflowing gutters
- Damp or moldy basement
- Mosquito swarms keep appearing in your yard
What Causes Poor Drainage?
While a backed-up or clogged drainage pipe can stop proper drainage, other reasons you may have excess water in your yard include:
- Improper grading or sloping
- Hardscapes (like patio pavers) that have settled
- Backed-up gutters or downspouts
- Lack of a channel drain to collect water
- High water tables
Landscape Drainage Solutions
One or several of the above causes can contribute to improper landscape drainage on your property, which means one drainage system may not be enough to mitigate yard drainage issues. You may need to combine multiple drainage systems to achieve optimal results.
1. Dry Well
A dry well is a good landscape drainage solution for stormwater runoff. Dry wells are underground storage containers that capture and collect surface water. The container is lined with a porous material, like gravel or rocks, allowing the captured water to slowly seep back into the groundwater.
Dry Well Pros
- Affordable
- Can last up to 30 years if properly maintained
- They’re underground and won’t interrupt the “look” of your landscape
Dry Well Cons
- Require regular maintenance and cleaning to clear out sediment and debris
- It may not be able to handle heavy rainfall, which could cause it to overflow
- Not all soils are appropriate for a dry well
2. French Drain
French drains are a type of channel drain. It’s a rock or gravel-filled trench that collects water and moves it elsewhere. Similar to a dry well, French drains filter water, and the gravel ensures the drain doesn’t clog.
French Drain Pros
- Can last between 30 and 40 years
- Can be integrated as part of a landscape design plan
- Can be installed almost anywhere on the property
French Drain Cons
- Existing structure may need to be removed while adding a French drain
- Can’t have one near water, power, or communication lines
- They can overflow if too much water overwhelms the drain
3. Gutters
Clogged or debris-filled gutters are another cause of poor yard drainage. If cleaning the gutters and downspouts doesn’t solve your landscape drainage issues, check the area where the gutter drains. It’s possible the gutter empties into an improperly sloped area or soil erosion is allowing water to pool. Likewise, if your gutters empty into another drainage system, like a French drain, make sure the drainage pipe isn’t filled with debris.
Gutter Pros
- Help maintain the roof and foundation
- Come in multiple materials, colors, and price points
- Can last 20 to 50 years
Gutter Cons
- Require regular maintenance, even if you install gutter guards
- Can create more problems than they solve if installed incorrectly
- Can overflow if not maintained
4. Trench Drain
Not to be confused with a French drain, trench drains are also channel drains. Like French drains, trench drains are long trenches that move water. However, trench drains have a cover grate instead of rocks and gravel. This allows them to more efficiently collect water and make an especially effective drainage system when you need to collect and channel large amounts of water, like during a heavy downpour.
Trench Drain Pros
- Blends into the ground and landscape
- Protects landscape from overwatering
- Large opening allows solid material to wash away
Trench Drain Cons
- Difficult to clean
- Solid debris can harbor bacteria
- More expensive to install than other channel drains
5. Swales
A swale is a long, sunken spot in the landscape. They can form naturally or be created. Like other channel drains, swales are a long trench to collect standing water. Swales function like French drains when they’re lined with gravel. However, there’s no need to line a swale as long as it has the proper grading and channels water so it doesn’t pool.
Swale Pros
- Can maintain as part of general landscaping (like mowing the lawn)
- Less expensive and easier to install than other drainage systems
- Easy to see and clear backups
Swale Cons
- Limits your landscape options (can’t use with trees)
- Can’t use a swale in some areas
- Requires regular maintenance
6. Catch Basins
A catch basin, AKA a yard drain, is simply a basin that collects water from your yard. They’re similar to dry wells in that catch basins collect water underground. But unlike a dry well, the storage container isn’t permeable, making it possible to reuse the water.
Catch Basin Pros
- Good drainage system for small areas
- Easy to combine with other drainage systems for extra protection
- Blends in with landscaping
Catch Basin Cons
- Can be easily overwhelmed with large amounts of water
- Can attract pests
- Can cause sinkholes if not installed or maintained
Yard Drainage Solutions for Every Yard
Water is essential to maintaining the health of your landscape. But yard drainage problems can overwhelm your plants, damage your home, and create expensive headaches.
No matter your landscape or existing yard drains, Dig’Um Dirtworks can design a water mitigation and drainage solution that ensures your yard drains properly and protects your home’s foundation. Contact us today for a free consultation.
