An attractive yard free of standing water is more than an aesthetic need for your home or business. Flooding can cause serious damage to your property as well as creating a health hazard for those living or working there.

Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects that can carry diseases. Water that fails to drain off properly can cause rotting in wood structures and can compromise your foundation. That’s why addressing flooding quickly and effectively is critical to protect your investment and your family.

Drainage solutions for flooded yards

The most common causes of a flooded yard are poor drainage and poor grading. Identify the cause and you should be able to determine the right solution for your flooding issue.

Your drainage and excavating expert can help by inspecting your specific flooding issue and where drainage may be failing. While sometimes extending a downspout or rerouting a discharge pipe from a sump pump can eliminate the problem, yours may be more complicated.

Consider the following drainage options for dealing with flooding:

• French Drain – Redirects water away from flooded areas by burying a perforated pipe in the offending area. The pipe is set in a trench and surrounded by gravel to maintain drainage into the pipe, which then carries the excess water away.
• Crock/Catch Basin – This simple system is a crock sunk in the wet area of your yard and topped with grate. Water runs into the catch basin, which is connected to a drain, using gravity to carry the water to a sewer or gutter.
• Catch Basin with Pop-up Emitter – Also called a pop-up drainage system, it uses a catch basin covered with a lid that responds to gathering water, opening to collect the excess and then carry the water away through an attached pipe. The pop-up lid protects the system from potential clogs.

French drains are effective for larger yards that are plagued by standing water. Catch basins and pop-up drainage systems are ideal for smaller yards or in specific areas that are vulnerable to run off because of uneven grading.

Sometimes the most effective way to solve drainage problems is to regrade a poorly graded yard. This may be the best solution when your flooding issue is near the foundation of your home or the standing water is compromising a driveway, patio, or other structures. Professional grading will ensure your yard is level with a slight grade away from structures, encourage excess water to drain towards the street or into gutters and drains designed to carry the water away.

If you have noticed standing water in your yard or believe you have a drainage issue, contact Len’s Excavating, Septic and Landscape for expert excavating and drainage solutions. The professionals at Len’s specialize in downspout and discharge pipe repairs as well as trenching for French drains and erosion control. Click here for more information about Len’s landscaping and grading services.