Water drainage issues in your yard are not only unsightly, but they can cause you significant issues. That said, learning how to fix water drainage problems in your yard now can save you headaches down the line, and the best way to do that is to ensure it is properly graded. Below, we will review what water drainage is and how proper land grading can help correct water drainage issues.
What is Water Drainage?
It is not hard to have water drainage problems. You will experience poor water drainage if you have something that prevents a way for water to freely move downhill. While it is not a complicated concept, it can really cause issues in your yard if you do not figure out how to fix water drainage problems. If you have bare roots, a water line along the side of your home, or yard rivets that resemble pools of water or streams, you know you have an issue.
Negative Impacts Of Poor Water Drainage
There are several negative impacts created by poor water drainage in your yard. First, if your yard is soggy, it is likely that your grass, or any plants in the area, will die. If you have worked hard on creating a beautiful landscape, that can be incredibly frustrating.
In addition, with a soggy yard, everyone in your family will be tracking mud into your home. Standing water in your yard can also attract a variety of critters including mosquitos. Finally, poor water drainage can ultimately lead to a weakening of the foundation of your home.
Guide to Fix Water Drainage Issues
Poor water drainage can be symptomatic of larger issues. By grading your yard properly, you should be able to fix and protect against these problems. Furthermore, if you find that you have water leaking into your basement, you really want to consider grading your yard. Doing so can help to move water away from your home so that you no longer get flooded. It can also help you to prevent experiencing foundation issues as a result of poor water drainage. To properly grade your yard, follow this step-by-step guide:
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- Do a bit of planning/surveying. Start by taking a walk around your yard and seeing how and where it slopes. Use spray paint to label the low and high points. The low point is where the water ultimately ends up or pools. The high point is where the water begins to drain in the wrong direction.
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- Create a level grade line. You want to establish the rise and run now that you know your yards low and high points. This will let you establish a level line, so you are aware of how much grading you actually have to complete.
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- Establish a run: the horizontal distance from the lowest point to the highest point. Place a stake in the ground at the lowest point and the highest one. Connect them with a string that is held tight. Measure the string to get your run.
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- Establish a rise: the vertical distance that represents the distance that the ground is sloping from the lowest point to the highest point. Once you have the run, getting the rise is pretty easy. Just measure the stake at your low point from the string down to the ground in a straight line.
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- Order soil. You can have a full truckload, or however much you need, delivered right to you.
- Create a level grade line. You want to establish the rise and run now that you know your yards low and high points. This will let you establish a level line, so you are aware of how much grading you actually have to complete.
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- Dump the dirt at your lowest point. You want to dump enough that it is now your highest point. Basically, the height of the dirt pile needs to exceed the number you measured earlier.
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- Smooth out the dirt. Take the dirt from your previous low point and spread it out evenly all the way to what used to be the high point, which is now your new low point. Basically, you are trying to change the slope’s angle and ultimately level it out.
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- Make sure you are filling properly and compactly. You can lay a piece of plywood down to make sure you are filling in all the areas and ensuring it will not settle in the future. Lay the plywood down and stomp on it to level out your dirt. You can also use a tamper if you prefer.
- Plant new grass. You might be done grading your yard at this point, but it will not look like much until you have replanted some grass and plants.
Contact Dirt Connections for More Information
As we have seen, proper land grading is the ultimate remedy when it comes to fixing water drainage problems in your yard. If you have additional questions on how to fix water drainage problems in your yard, reach out to Dirt Connections. Grading your yard yourself? You’ll likely need a dirt delivery. Ask about our free dirt delivery services!
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