A flooded backyard carries several dangers to the affected home and its inhabitants. From mud and mosquitoes to seeping water and molds, its effects aren’t anything to cope with at any time.
So the only way out of such a situation is to devise smart solutions that perfectly match the problem. That’s where we come in. Pore over our best de-flooding hacks to help keep your head out of the water each time a storm strikes.
So How Do I Stop My Backyard From Flooding?
That depends on the source and degree of flooding. For example, small low-lying areas in the yard may call for top-ups or rain gardens. Keep reading for more.
Assessing The Problem
Asking yourself a few questions to understand the cause and nature of the flooding is vital towards solving it. For example, knowing its source will go a long way to help you prevent and or solve the situation. Therefore, check the problem’s frequency of occurrence, source, and degree of damage for more insightful decisions.
The Solutions
1) Sort The Patios and Walkways:
Most homes have patios and walkways that sit lower than the other parts of the yard, making them home to stagnant water. When the water takes too long to evaporate, it becomes more dangerous in the long run.
Luckily, there are several solutions to this. You can fill the dented walkway with soil, dense mulch, concrete, or other workable materials. While this may be a long-lasting solution when done well, it can be both labor-intensive and expensive.
Alternatively, you can install storm drain channels along the patio or walkway to have water moving into them and to your preferred location. The channels are nowadays cost-effective and come in various designs.
For example, you can choose a storm drain channel with a grate cover that matches your lawn or pathway design.
2) Use A Blind Drain:
A blind drain consists of a gravel-filled trench featuring a pipe at its bottom. Water runs into the trench, then into the pipe, and finally down the drain into a drainage ditch, well, or any other preferred location.
This is usually a solution to large water pools that are slow to dry in your backyard. The installation process starts by digging a ditch down the slope; lining it with landscape fabric and gravel; laying the pipe inside, and finally covering it with soil and gravel.
The pipe used above is often flexible to penetrate between plants’ roots and other obstacles. If you find this method suitable for your yard but hard to achieve, it’s wise to call in a specialist for help. The costs won’t overwhelm you.
3) Improve The Gradient:
If your whole yard seems to have an improper drainage landscape, it’s time you considered reorganizing it into a slope away from your home. While this may sound laborious, it’s worth the effort, because it’s a once-and-for-all solution if done correctly.
Mulch and topsoil are the major raw materials used to fill the dented areas. Around the house, you may also use concrete and other raw materials as recommended by an expert.
This process may not be a single day’s affair, so it’s essential to begin with critical areas first. For example, you need to fill around the house first to prevent water from leaking to the inside. In the case of basement windows and wells, be sure to have a sump pump and some collection tank around.
4) Go For A Rain Garden:
A rain garden consists of porous soil anchoring water-loving plants. Such plants find it easy to survive in pools of water, while the underlying soil drains water quickly. The solution is viable for those whose yards have small pools of water which they want to turn into beauty spots.
If you aren’t familiar with preparing the ground for these plants, we urge you to seek expert advice. Nevertheless, always consider picking native plants for the project. They won’t find it hard to adapt to the environment and will attract most kinds of birds to your garden.
Moreover, growing the plants into some patterns can help improve the overall look of your home.
5) Double-Check Your Progress:
After implementing one or two of the above methods, the next best thing is to check the results. So did the method function?
If yes, how effective was it?
Is it likely to last in the long run?
Is it worthwhile?
If your answer is positive for all the questions above, you are on the right track. If not, you must find the problem and make the right tweaks where necessary.
Please remember to check your system for the best maintenance practices regularly.
Call The Authorities:
The water causing floods in your yard may have another source other than the rain, and this may be someone else’s responsibility. In such a case, it may be hard to deal with the problem on your own, especially if it’s severe.
For example, if a local supply pipe breaks along its path and the water finds its way into your backyard, controlling the resultant floods may be a hard nut to crack. Calling the authorities, like the local homeowners association or the government, may help you resolve the issue.
How To Prevent Flooding In Your Lawn
If you’ve moved to a new home or just want to be cautious to avoid floods in your current home, take a closer look at the options below to prevent than cure the problem.
1) Clean Your Compound:
Sometimes, the cause of flooding may be debris like dead leaves and grasses; abandoned tree branches and stones; mosses, and other things. Removing such debris will allow water to flow freely across the lawn. You can quickly hand-pick them or use a rake to get rid of the debris.
2) Plant More Grass:
Grasses are great tools against flooding in your yard. They have roots that absorb more water and also prevent erosion. While choosing the right grass to plant in your yard, always opt for local types. Remember not to mow the grass too low.
3) Build A Dry Well:
In case the water in your backyard often seeps into the soil too fast, you need a dry well. A dry well is what its name suggests; a well without water. It’s dug at the lowest part of the home so that all the water flows inside it. The water then seeps into the surrounding ground.
The Bottom Line
Choosing wisely between these solutions will put you on the safe side after every storm. The remedies include both quick and slow-but-sure tricks, and your choice of one is your duty. Remember to do #5 between the seasons to ensure that your trick is always in vogue. Thanks for reading and please share widely!
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