Why Every North Carolina Lawn Needs Proper Drainage Installation
Ah, there’s nothing quite like a North Carolina summer thunderstorm. Almost every afternoon, it seems like the sky goes from clear and sunny to dark and stormy within seconds. Once that happens, you know what’s coming: a sudden downpour. While this rain is great for thirsty grass and foliage, too much of it can quickly cause flooding in your yard. If not quickly taken care of, flooding can lead to a whole slew of new lawn problems.
If you notice consistent backyard flooding every time it rains, it’s time to do something to protect your lawn. There are a number of different things you can do to prevent flooding in your lawn and keep it happy and healthy throughout the year. Here’s what you need to know.
Why is My Lawn Flooding?
The first step to fixing your flooding issue is to determine what’s causing your lawn to flood. In the spring or summer months, it may be due to purely an excess of rainstorms. Some other culprits might include an excess of rain gutters on your home, runoff from your neighbor’s lawn, or rainwater pouring off your shed’s roof to your lawn. The primary causes tend to stem from an improper grade on the lawn or uneven surface conditions.
Once you determine where the flooding is coming from, you should focus on which parts of your yard are most affected. Typically, low areas or areas at the bottom of a slope tend to pool water and flood your lawn. Sometimes, these issues can be fixed by landscaping. More often, however, they’ll need some kind of drainage installation to keep your lawn safe.
How Can Flooding Affect My Lawn?
Standing water on your lawn can lead to soil erosion and other serious issues. Too much water may also negatively impact your grass and other foliage you have around your home. This tends to be a leading cause of fungus, moss, and disease which will destroy the ecosystem of your turf.
In certain parts of North Carolina, too much flooding can also lead to rocky landslides and other issues. To prevent long-term damage, we recommend consulting with a professional. Sometimes, all your lawn needs is a little landscaping. Other times, however, you may need to install a drainage system.
Landscaping Fixes for a Flooded Yard
Depending on your lawn, you may be able to fix your flooding issues by adjusting your landscaping.
- Elevate low areas by adding layers of topsoil or fill dirt. This will allow water flow to spread more evenly as well as redirecting the water to a more desirable location.
- Consider extending a downspout. If a downspout is dumping water into a landscaped area close to your home, the solution could be as simple as extending that downspout above or underground so that the water drains into a different area.
- Build a rain garden. Building a rain garden is a fantastic way to prevent flooding, improve local water quality, and add beauty to your lawn. Choose common North Carolina wetland plants like cardinal flowers, swamp milkweed, lizard’s tail, royal ferns, and more.>
What Kind of Drainage System Does My Lawn Need?
The type of drainage that’s right for your lawn depends on a few different factors. Let’s cover some of the most common types of drainage. Have a question about what type of installation your lawn needs? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us here.
Common Drainage Systems for North Carolina Lawns
French Drains
This type of drain system collects excess water in a perforated pipe and distributes it evenly throughout the soil. Installation includes digging a trench in the most heavily flooded areas of your yard and ensuring that the trench goes deeper in the soil than your home. The perforated pipe is then placed in the trench and surrounded by aggregate material that then filters the water. The aggregate material, such as gravel, prevents dirt and other debris from clogging the perforations in the pipe. The pipe then collects and redistributes the rainwater, allowing it to disperse back underground in the soil.
Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are an extremely effective way of draining your yard and preventing flooding, but they are often more expensive than other drainage solutions. They remove water from the soil and collect it into a specially dug pit. When the pit fills up, the water is pumped away through a drainage pipe.
Dry Wells
This solution involves placing underground plastic wells in your yard to collect water and slowly release it over time. Similar to french drains, these wells must be placed deeper than the home in a yard. Dry wells are installed by digging a large hole for a perforated well. The well must be surrounded by aggregate materials to filter water properly and allow drainage. Once full, the well slowly releases the water.
Consult a Drainage Installation Expert
Still on the fence about what type of drainage installation is right for your lawn? We’re here to help. Give our team a call today to discuss the perfect solution for your North Carolina lawn.