The Importance of Proper Drainage in Landscaping

When you’re starting a landscape project, you’re probably thinking about all the exciting aspects of it. You might envision new pathways through your garden or different types of trees and flowers. And why wouldn’t you? Having a new landscaping project on your hands truly is exciting. And, of course, how your project looks at the end of the day is incredibly important. Landscaping is an art, and arts have a vested interest in aesthetics first and foremost. However, there are other factors that you need to consider when taking up a new landscape project. One of these factors is proper drainage. Amateur landscapers tend not to think of more minor issues like drainage. And, usually, not having this kind of foresight comes back to bite you. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of proper drainage in landscaping. Plus, we’ll give you plenty of ideas for landscaping around areas with poor drainage. Read along to learn how you can execute your new landscaping project without having to worry about water puddles in your yard. 

What Is Drainage in Landscaping?

Drainage is a solution for areas that accumulate water in your yard. While water is necessary for keeping up your landscape, it can wreak havoc on your lawn in large quantities. Having pools or puddles of water all over your yard is not preferable. If you’ve noticed this happening a lot on your property, it’s time to get it checked out. Sometimes landscapers have to install drainage systems to keep water from flooding the lawn area. You cannot overstate the importance of proper drainage in landscaping. Keeping your yard free of excess moisture can solve many problems. 

Without drainage, you risk killing your grass, trees, and other plants. Also, poor drainage can sometimes damage your home if the water gets close enough to the structure. Ensuring proper drainage can solve this problem before it ever occurs. This is why it’s so helpful to hire a professional landscaping company. Professionals can offer excellent drainage landscaping ideas specific to your property.

Why Is Proper Drainage in Landscaping So Important?

Proper drainage in landscaping can make or break your lawn. A flooded yard can potentially cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damage. Plus, a flooded yard can often mean a flooded house too. Experts estimate that even as little as one inch of flooding in your home can cost up to $25,000. Some of the issues that excess water causes to your lawn are: 

• Disease
• Soil erosion
• Breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests

If you find that your yard seems to have pockets of standing water constantly, it’s time to hire a professional. The cause of the flooding might be a number of things. Perhaps you simply have a poorly planned landscape. Or maybe your property just happens to sit in a low area. Or maybe there’s a real lack of vegetation around your home. Whatever the cause is, professional landscapers will be able to identify and remedy the problem. Experts can provide the best landscaping ideas for a poor drainage area around your home. 

The Best Drainage Landscaping Ideas

Typically, a situation in which a yard continuously floods can be remedied through proper drainage. This means that landscapers will usually install one of four types of drain systems. 

French Drains

A French drain is a trench dug into the ground in the areas of the yard that see the worst flooding. Inside the trench is a perforated pipe covered by stones. The logic of a French drain is that water will travel into the trench. It will go through the rocks, into the line, and travel down to another water drainage location. 

Dry Wells  

Dry wells are installations in the ground that catch rainwater. The system has tiny, porous holes throughout so that water can escape. The system lets the water percolate through its walls and leads it further into the ground. This gives the rainwater more time and space to run.

Channel Drains

Channel drains operate by moving water through an underground system. It collects and distributes water across a large area. A channel drain can be placed along a driveway, pool deck, patio, or even a garden. In many ways, it’s like a home gutter system. 

Yard Drains

A yard drain is similar to a channel drain. It collects water from a specific area in the yard and moves it to the street, a storm drain, or some other drainage area. These drains usually appear as small grates installed at the ground level in problem areas of the yard. These areas are typically at a lower ground level than the rest of the yard. 

Landscaping Ideas for Poor Drainage Areas

As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to drainage landscaping ideas. So, if you have been experiencing problems with flooding in your yard, don’t freak out. Now that you know the importance of proper drainage in landscaping, professionals can help. A professional landscaping company can work with you to decide which one fits your needs and will ensure proper drainage with landscaping ideas for poor drainage areas. If you live in the Chicagoland area and are searching for proper drainage solutions, look no further than Apex Landscaping. We can provide drainage landscaping ideas for poor drainage areas best suited to your lawn and your needs. 

Apex Landscaping has been in this business since 1991. We started as high schoolers mowing lawns during the summer to make extra cash. Gradually, Apex became a professional landscaping company, serving areas from Wisconsin to Illinois. We believe that our growth over the years has a direct correlation to our work ethic. As a company, we put our customers first. We respect our clients’ visions and carry their landscaping desires out to the best of our ability every time. If you’re looking for proper drainage solutions for your yard, take a look at the rest of our website. For more information about our services, contact us today.