Many homeowners don’t worry about yard drainage until there is a problem. When water flows to lower elevations, it follows its natural path. Problems can arise if the original paths were not constructed correctly or become blocked. The lack of drains or slopes to divert runoff water can lead to water finding its way to places you don’t want, such as basements and foundations. Cracked foundations or flooding basements can be alarming signs that something is wrong. However, addressing the problem early will save thousands and prevent headaches down the line.
Subsurface and surface water are the two types of water that supply lawns. Subsurface water is water that lies below the topsoil layer. It cannot penetrate any further because of the dense soil underneath. Also called the water table, this layer of water is found in all soil. It varies according to the location. A high water table may be problematic in certain areas. However, excessive subsurface water can cause a higher water table. This is because too much water can penetrate the ground. The main water sources for surface water are rain and irrigation. These can prove problematic in urban areas that have many impervious surfaces.
Rainwater simply cannot go anywhere else than streets, driveways, and parking lots. Like a lawn’s runoff, it will pool or flow into soil at the edges, causing soil saturation. If soil is saturated to 100%, and there’s no drainage, the excess water can collect in pools. The soil will also take longer to dry. Excess water can cause plant death by reducing aeration and decreasing nutrients. Excessive water in soil can also cause freezing damage during winter months. Good drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation around the foundations of your house or your homes.
Both surface and subsurface drainage are important protections for lawns and buildings. Subsurface drainage is the natural flow of water that occurs after rainfall or irrigation. It can be done through gutters. Downspouts. Surface grates. Exposed French drains. Lawns are also shaped and graded to ensure maximum water removal while minimizing soil erosion. Subsurface drainage refers either to drains or pipes that are installed in your lawn. These drains remove any water which has gravitated underground through soil saturation, holes in soil, or other means. Capillary action is a method by which water travels through soil. This is similar to a paper towel. When one side becomes wet, the moisture slowly moves towards the dry side, until it is completely saturated. To remove any excess water, French drains must be installed below the soil. Subsurface drainage helps plants stay healthy.
Drainage problems
Poor drainage could lead to water pools in your yard and/or your building. Both of these can pose danger. Standing water that is too close to your foundation can cause foundation cracks and foundation movement. Pooling water can cause mosquitoes to breed and make your grass more susceptible to diseases.
Foundations: Your foundation is the most expensive problem associated with poor drainage. The soil expands when it’s wet while contracting when it’s dry. It is unlikely that your foundation will be a problem as the soil beneath it expands and contracts in an even manner. However, damage can be done if only a portion of the soil settles or heaves. Most often, this differential movement can be attributed to soil moisture differences. Incorrect drainage may cause wet soil to remain waterlogged on one side, which can lead to waterlogging for many days (or even weeks) around foundation walls. However, soil on the other side will dry quickly after rain.
One side is wet and expands, but the other shrinks as it dries. The action causes walls of the structure to separate from one another. This process can be repeated many times, eventually leading to cracks in foundations, walls, and ceilings. Homeowner’s insurance does not cover foundation repairs. They can be as expensive as $20,000 to $30,000 to repair, and that includes cosmetic fixes like drywall, door jams or bricks, flooding carpets, flooring, and other necessary maintenance. Anybody who’s ever had a basement flood or cracked from excessive heaving will tell you that it is a very expensive fix. To address the drainage problem, it will be necessary to fix the issue.
Basements: Basements can have the same problems as foundations. However, water may also get in through cracks. The water can cause damage to carpets, flooring and furniture. It also increases the humidity in your basement, which creates the ideal environment for mold growth. Your home is infested by tiny mold spores that need moisture to grow. You can find them on nearly any surface. They also have the ability to destroy and infest your house. The mold spores that are produced when a surface is disturbed can escape into the air, which could cause allergies or asthma. If a person is inhaled high amounts of mold spores, they can lead to nausea, fatigue, headaches, lung irritation, and even eye and lung irritation. In a moldy basement, spiders and mites may thrive as they feed on the mold spores.
A basement waterproofing can be an insurance policy and a way to help your home. But the first defense against a basement flooding is the improvement of drainage around your lawn. Most engineers and inspectors agree that 85-95% of basements or interiors can be dried by improving the drainage outside your home.
Mosquitoes:Most of us are familiar with the mosquitoes, but did you know they only need one ounce of water to lay their eggs. Standing water is the most common place for mosquitoes to lay eggs, but some species prefer damp soil. If your lawn doesn’t have good drainage, this can make your grass a breeding ground for them. The eggs take two to three days for to hatch. Your property must be dry enough to allow them to dry quickly.
You and your family could be trapped inside your home if you have 300-300 eggs a day from females. In addition to the irritation and itching caused by mosquito bites, they can also transmit diseases like West Nile virus, Malaria and Dengue. These diseases are all potentially deadly. Pets can also be at risk because mosquitoes, which are vectors of heartworm, may transmit the disease to other pets, such as dogs and cats. West Nile, encephalitis and other diseases can be passed to horses. American Mosquito Control Association advises property owners not to remove standing water from their homes or buildings, but also to make sure that your property has proper drainage to avoid this risk.
Turf diseases:It is important that your landscaping looks inviting and well maintained as it will be the first impression customers or visitors have of your business or home. The death and illness of plants and grass is ugly. It can also be costly and a wasteful investment. In excess water in lawns can prevent grass and other plants from growing. It also reduces their nutrient and air supply, making them more susceptible to fungi and moss. Fungi are microscopic organisms which can spread through air or water-borne seeds. Fungi act as seeds and can infect the environment by sprouting.
Rhizoctonia yellow patch, Pythium blight and Red Thread are all common fungi conditions that can develop in humid environments. This is due to soil and surface moisture. Most fungi diseases can be difficult to treat once they have developed. Damage may continue for up to four years after treatment. Although fungicides may be used to control or prevent lawn diseases, some strains of fungi are not resistant. You can prevent most diseases by ensuring that there aren’t favorable conditions. This includes improving the moisture levels on your turf.
To grow mushrooms, they need to be in extreme conditions of water. Though mushrooms don’t harm grass, some of them can cause serious health problems for pets and children. The characteristics of poisonous mushrooms are not distinguishable from those found in non-poisonous ones. Therefore, only educated people can identify them.
Erosion:Water moving quickly from your property can also cause issues, in addition to standing water. If raindrops are falling on your lawn at a sufficient intensity, they will break up small pieces of soil that can be carried away by rainwater as it flows. The drainage condition of the area will determine whether this soil is deposited elsewhere in your yard or taken to the sewers. Original drainage methods, like ditches or trenches can be filled up with soil over time. This will make it difficult for water to move on your property and defeat their purpose. When there is little or no plant cover, erosion can accelerate and the gaps between them become bigger. In addition to causing soil damage during heavy rains, this also means that your soil is not protected from further water. By keeping the water runoff to a manageable rate, slopes and grades can stop soil from being washed away. Water that runs off too fast should be slowed down to allow soil particles to settle on the ground and not get carried away. A healthy soil is protected and held on by healthy plants with deep roots.
Drainage is beneficial
Structural protection: A complete drainage system can protect your structure and prevent water from damaging concrete. Water that isn’t evaporated and not absorbed by soil eventually gets somewhere, and often it ends up under or around foundations. By using drainage, you can maintain a uniform moisture content and reduce contraction and expansion. This helps maintain foundation integrity and prevents water seepage.
You can also learn more about plants and landscaping:To ensure healthy roots, lawns and plants need to be hydrated properly. The soil’s excess water can be removed to increase the area of root growth and air. The increased airflow will increase the nutrients available. Not all nutrients can be converted chemically by the air. This will ensure that the soil is not lost or eroded by the deep roots which grow. Water will not pool around your property and cause turf to become disease-prone. This helps you keep the beautiful aesthetics you have invested.
The Recreational Areas Drainage solutions can improve the traffic flow and property use by creating recreational areas like parks, golf courses, and athletic fields. Drains allow the environment to drain out excess water, and turf can quickly recover from any rain. It means that recreational areas can remain open longer and are more productive, which in turn leads to increased revenues.
Not only spring showers cause concern,
Extreme weather conditions are a common feature of the Midwest. There can be droughts and floods in one year, but not another. St. Louis receives an average 40 inch rainfall, while 2008 saw 50.72 inches fall on the city. Half of this amount was in June and September 2008. Don’t let your guard down if it has been a long time since you had to weather winter snows and spring rains. Surprises can happen and you may find yourself in need of more serious repairs.
Note about the water tables
The soil’s water table is the lowest point at which it contains 100 percent of its total water content. Some areas have a higher water table than their foundation. This requires complex sump pump and drain systems to remove the water from the structure. Professional waterproofers often cite high water tables as a cause for basement or foundation damage. However, the National Association of Home Builders estimates that 5 percent of all basements with water damage are caused by high water tables. You are likely experiencing water damage from surface runoff. These problems can be addressed by installing slopes, grade and drains to your backyard, as well as proper gutter systems. The modern building code forbids contractors from building basements with high water tables. If your building or home is older than thirty years, you can rest assured that a high water table will not be a problem. Be aware that a damp basement can lead to serious problems. Contact your local inspector to learn more about the water table in your area.
Have you got drainage problems?
You can try this experiment: Make a 1-foot-wide hole and make it 2-feet deep. Fill the hole completely with water after a dry spell. You have a problem if the hole does not drain completely within five minutes and takes more than fifteen minutes. You can also look at the lawn after and during a rainfall to identify problems. There are two things that can indicate a problem: water moving rapidly across your lawn, water pooling on parking lots, driveways and lawns after rains. Another indicator is yellowing lawns, thin or yellowing turf, even though the grass receives plenty sunlight, stagnant water smell, water seeping from basements or garages to sills.
There are many types of drainage solutions
An integrated drainage system should include both surface and subsurface drain solutions. Subsurface drains drain excess water into the soil while surface drains drain large quantities of water quickly. Both systems can be used together to ensure that soil moisture is at the right level to protect your landscape and home.
Gutters: Your gutters are your first defense against foundation flooding. The average roof can shed 160 gallons per hour of water runoff during moderate rain. A proper gutter system will prevent water runoff being deposited onto your foundation. A proper gutter system is essential for your roof. An insufficient amount of downspouts can lead to no gutter system. Splash blocks are required to divert the water away from your building or home and into your drainage system. PVC piping can be used to direct water away from homes and buildings 6-10 feet. To prevent gutter clogs, it is important to inspect gutter joints for any leaks. A gutter system that is efficient and suitable should be your first step towards a drainage solution.
Grades:Protecting structures requires that the highest grade grades be within 10 feet from your basement or foundation. It will stop water from being absorbed back into soil towards your structure. There are many acceptable grades, but the safest measurement for 10 feet is 1 in (or more) of drop. The 10 feet nearest to the foundation walls should have a minimum 10″ slope. Your yard’s remainder should have a slope that continues downward. This will keep the water from pooling near your foundation.
Surface DrainsSurface drainage refers to the control of the water runoff from rainwater, irrigation and snowmelt. This system is driven by gravity. It involves shaping the soil with continuous falls in ground to allow surface runoff to flow at a suitable rate. It is desirable to have a slope between 1%-5% for grass drainage channels (or swales). The land contours direct runoff towards a suitable collection location, which can be ditches, basins, or storm drains. An area drain is installed at the lowest point of the ditch, or the interception point. These drains connect to the main or submain. This prevents water from pooling within your yard. Underground pipes must maintain a minimum slope at 1%, or one-eighth inch per foot in order to allow water to flow through them. For erosion prevention, it’s advisable that several small drains are placed in series along with a large drain at the center of a long ditch.
Channel drains or exposed French drains work well for driveways and other hardscapes. This is because concrete and asphalt do not absorb water from the ground. Instead, these trenches capture water in sheets that drain away. An area drain’s open area is smaller than a channel/exposed French drain, and it is more able to handle the larger amount of rainfall that will be collected. Channel drains are also more flexible than area drains. They can be incorporated into hardscapes with a moderate slope, instead of requiring many steep slopes that direct water to the drains.
Subsurface Drains Subsurface drainage’s benefits are difficult to spot because they happen within the soil. However, you will notice a difference in the plants, grass, and soil. Subsurface drainage refers to the removal of gravitational moisture from soil. This is done by placing French drains beneath the ground to collect water and then transport it to a drainage outlet. The subsurface drains don’t remove the water that plants need, but only water excess, which is carried to drains via gravity. French drains sub-surface are made by excavating large trenches and covering them with either a geotextile or filter. This helps to keep soil particles out of the French drain. Once the gravel has dried, the trench can be filled with rock/gravel. Then, the appropriate-sized perforated PVC pipes are installed to aid in application.
The trench will be filled with earth, then a layer will be laid of permeable filter fabric. A mixture of topsoil and sand will be used to cover the trench. Last, new soil will be put on top. French drains are created when water from the soil flows through a perforated pipe, and then travels to the point of discharge via connecting pipes. For French drains, it is best to place them in 4 to 6 inch perforated pipe. Place them between 15 and 20 feet apart. Pipes must have a slope of.1% to 1.1% in trenches. However, soil construction, turf use, and acreage may necessitate deviations from the guidelines. A professional can assist you in determining which solution is best for your particular situation.
Discharge Outlets: Water must be removed from pipes once it has collected. An outlet could be either a storm drain, street gutter or onsite pond. A pop-up drainage emitter allows water to be diverted away from your house or buildings into a safe area. The hydrostatic pressure from water running through the drain pipe opens pop-up drainage emitters. This releases water that has been collected from downspouts and basins as well as grates. By placing the drain emitter close to the street, water will flow into the street and over the curb. As the water flows less, the emitters close and stop debris or animals entering the pipes and clogging them. Maintenance personnel or property owners should ensure that they do routine maintenance on pop-up emitters. To make sure the flow of water is not slowed down by heavy rainfall events, remove the pop up.
Clearout connections:Cleanout connections should be installed on any drainage system that is integrated to your home. This connection is often overlooked and pipes may need to be accessed years later by cleaning equipment or cameras. The following reasons require access points: 1) Routine maintenance. This is especially important if it’s neglected. The contractor will then need access to the pipe in order to unclog the pipe for a charge. 2) A decline in the functionality of the drainage system. 3. If the drainage system has suffered damage from excavation or heavy machinery. Cleanouts can add expense to your project but it’s highly recommended that you have them installed on every downspout connection, French drain system, and any long mainline pipes over 80 feet without drain grates.
Make sure that your drainage system has cleanouts before you contract to get the project done. According to calculations, the price of cutting into the pipe to repair it and installing cleanouts in its place will cost at most twice that of having them installed. Access to an existing French drainage system without cleanout connections can be as high as 10 times the cost. Don’t take chances when installing an expensive system that will last for decades. You’ll need to have access, if nothing else, for routine maintenance. An experienced drainage contractor will be able help you decide the most effective cleanout points to install the system on your property.
Finding & Hiring a qualified drainage contractor
You should do some research about potential draining contractors. It is important to ensure that the contractor you hire has insurance and can properly install your system. You should be wary “special deals”Oder the “great deal from a friend of a friend”These will likely lead to more headaches and dollars in the end.
Here are some tools to help you locate a potential drainage contractor: A great place to start is the Better Business Bureau. The BBB maintains an online directory of accredited businesses within your locality. This allows you to see not only the duration of an individual contractor’s business but also complaints about them. Angie’s List offers another excellent tool to find recommendations. You can even get testimonials directly from customers. Even if you “hear of a guy from a friend,”Check their online references. Check out their reviews and pick the top contractors.
Portfolio and references: Once you’ve compiled a list, request to view their portfolios and see past work sites. It is possible to see their work in person. It will allow you to not only understand the drainage plans they have for your property but also ensure that you are confident in their ability to complete it correctly. Ask former clients if they are satisfied with their work and whether or not the contractor kept to the budget. Also, check if it was finished on time. The best candidate for the job should be chosen, and not someone with the lowest offer. The problem should be resolved immediately after completion of the project. You don’t want to have to deal with legal issues or drainage problems long after the contractor is gone.
Bids: You should get at least two quotes for this job. Make sure you have them written. Make sure to understand what the differences are between each bid. Contractors may try to increase their profits by offering higher prices. A slightly higher price may not be justified if you have better materials or more skilled workmen. Remember that you will usually pay less for better materials, skilled workmanship, and greater reliability. “get what you pay for.”
Insurance:When hiring a contractor, it is important to ensure that he has insurance. The property owner could be held responsible for accidents that occur during work if the contractor doesn’t have worker’s comp or general liability. For your protection, get proof of insurance. Respectable contractors will appreciate that you did your research. They will also not offend. Don’t listen to any contractor who claims this is necessary. They may be trying to trick you into believing they have nothing to do with your business.
Required Skills: You should ensure that potential contractors are qualified to perform your task. Do you need a specialist in drainage or are they just a skilled landscaper with a little knowledge of drainage installation? Is your contractor able to use a transit for slope analysis? Is he able to determine the right depths and spacing for your pipe installation in your yard? Do you think he is diverting excess water to an appropriate outlet? If water is being diverted to another yard by purpose, it can lead to heavy fines. Your contractor’s final result will fall on your shoulders as the property owner.
Equipment, Supervision & Project Site Management:Who will oversee the project and how frequently will they be present to ensure that plans are adhered to? Is the project expected to continue every day until it is completed without any interruption, except for weather delays? If you have any questions or problems, it is important to identify who to contact. Also, do you have the right equipment for the job?
Products:Are they using the most effective products in their industry? Contractors that give a huge discount on materials used in a past job should be avoided. Although you might be looking to save a little money, do you know if these materials will work for your project? Property owners will be disappointed if the work is done using substandard materials. The system might need to be torn down and rebuilt a few years later. It could cost twice as much.
Warranty:After the installation is completed, make sure that there’s a warranty. You should also feel comfortable enough that the company will be here to honor that warranty. Ask if the company can provide a reference number for a customer who has had an issue with their warranty that was resolved by them. While most drainage specialists offer at least a 12-month warranty for full functionality, there are some that offer greater warranties.
Warning: One family hired a contractor a neighbor used. They met him, and felt he was a good fit for them. “good guy,”They didn’t do any background research or check out his references. They began investigating after realizing there had not been any real progress despite the many thousands they paid. The friend of the neighbour had complained about him and was also dissatisfied. The homeowners could have spoken with the contractors’ former workers, instead of relying on their perceptions of him as a person, and saved a lot of money. They left their house in a terrible state and were forced to hire another contractor to complete the work. They also had limited legal options because they didn’t do their homework regarding the contract. It is best to be cautious. You shouldn’t believe that the contractor will do what is best for you. Take a look at previous work and, if necessary, speak with people they worked for. People are more than happy to share their past experiences, good and bad. Businesses with a strong reputation will not be afraid of showing you their work.
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