#2-Yard Drainage

Popup #2
Yard Drainage
Water in Yard, Driveway and Patio Area
Water accumulating in the yard causes messy mud, attracts/ breeds mosquitoes and damages grass

Yard, Driveway and Patio Drainage 

Hard surface runoff from patios, driveways and roofs is one of the biggest causes of yard drainage issues and erosion problems. Yard drainage may consist of many different components like downspout drains to carry roof water away, yard drains, French drains, basin/surface drains, linear/ trough/channel drains, rain gardens and dry wells. Other drainage improvements may include different grading strategies such as berms and swales to direct water away from your yard, building up grade coming from your home or lowering grade around your home to create slope away from your home. 

At Drain Designs we specialize in figuring out what solutions are going to work best and then designing a drainage system to fit your needs and budget. We also specialize in optimizing your existing drainage system. Unfortunately, many customers call us after they’ve already spent thousands on drainage systems that simply did not improve their situation.

Double the healthy life of your home and yard with Drainage Expertise.

When it comes to addressing yard drainage issues, $ave thousands by being proactive and doing it right the first time. Work with a drainage specialist. Choosing professionals like us who understand the specific challenges posed by your region ensures that drainage solutions are tailored to your landscape’s unique characteristics. When you Google “yard drainage near me” you will see Drain Designs as your local top rated drainage specialist.  We are backed by over 35 years of experience when it comes to protecting the health of your foundation and outdoor space from the ravages of poor drainage.

Dumping high volumes of downspout water near foundations causes Foundation cracking .

Different types of drainage systems and their components:

Downspout drains: Getting downspout water as far away from the home and usable landscaping is generally ideal as long as it doesn’t cause problems downstream. A properly designed and installed PVC downspout drainage system will typically be the biggest drainage improvement that will give you the most bang for your buck. An average downspout discharges roughly 200 gallons of  roof run off per inch of rain. Without a good downspout drainage system, the soil near the corners of the foundation can become oversaturated which can lead to water intrusion, pests and mold. High volume of water dumping from the downspouts also causes erosion and loss of topsoil. Eventually, holes may form near the foundation from the downspout discharge which causes water to accumulate around the footer and foundation walls and concrete or crushed stone base of the home (footer). We also typically notice the grass dying in the path where the downspout water flows. This is due to the high volume flow from the downspouts washing away the topsoil and eventually the grass. When there is no grass to stabilize the soil, this leads to more erosion. A proper downspout drainage system should route roof water away from the home to a safer location. It’s important that a system is designed properly. An improperly designed drainage system can be dangerous. For example, discharging water near large tree can eventually undermine the tree which can cause it to fall on a home. If you have any drains like this, please call us and we can figure out how to route the system around the tree to drain out at a safer location.

Low point Yard drains: Standard yard drains consist of a grate and a basin where the basin is connected to a pipe designed to carry the water away from low points in the yard.  A low spot in the yard can become like a bathtub without a drain. The yard drain, otherwise known as a surface drain, is used to provide a drain for this low spot. Standing water in a yard tends to make soil lower and lower over time, growing just like a pothole so it’s important to get a drain in an area like this sooner rather than later.

Yard Drains in Swales: It is generally important to have intermittent drains along a swale. Otherwise water flowing through an active swale will cause erosion and kill grass. We often see low spots form in swales that hold more and more water over time. Having a pipe installed at the bottom of your swale and intermittent drains, about one every 50-100 ft depending on the slope of the swale will allow thousands of gallons of water flowing through the swale to drop into drains and be carried away through PVC pipe. This will allow the drainage swale to work much more effectively and will prevent costly maintenance such as regrading and replanting the swale.

Yard Drain Maintenance: There are some challenges with yard drains. They need to be kept clean regularly. Even with fencing around the drains to filter out debris, or domed style atrium grates, debris can build up and prevent water from getting into the drains. There is also potential for erosion around the drains which can make the water flow around the drain rather than into the drain. Grass, other plantings or rocks strategically placed around the drains can reduce/ minimize maintenance and clogging. Drains should be maintained regularly as a part of the routine lawn maintenance.

Linear drains/ trough drains/ channel drains: These are basically three names for the same type of drain. They’re often used in concrete or asphalt in situations where, for example, water is flowing towards a garage door or down a driveway or sidewalk. A trough drain can be installed along the width of the driveway or sidewalk to collect water. A pipe connected to the trough drain can then carry the water out to a desired location. These drains may be useful in situations where water is accumulating on a sidewalk or where high volumes of driveway water are causing erosion to the nearby yard and landscaping.

One important thing to notice about trough drains is how the trough drain connects to the PVC pipe. Oftentimes trough drains come with small holes. For example there may often be a 2 ½” diameter (4.9 sq inches) factory installed drain hole knockout in a 6” wide x 4’ long trough drain is sufficient to allow higher volumes of water into the pipe. Ideally, if you have a 4-in pipe, the hole in the trough drain should be close to 4 inches in diameter which provides ~12 sq inches of opening. 

Rain gardens: For good gardeners, rain Gardens are promoted by many ecologists and stormwater management professionals to help keep water on the property, thereby reducing rainwater runoff.  Rainwater runoff is the number one source of pollution in many areas and it causes algae blooms and unhealthy conditions in our lakes and waterways. Rain Gardens use water loving plants in a pit filled with a sand mixture planting media in a low-lying wet area. It’s a good idea to have an overflow drain system to carry excess water from the rain Garden. It can take an extremely large rain Garden to handle the volume coming off of the average roof. Work with your local stormwater management division to find out more about their recommendations for rain gardens.

Dry wells:  Dry Wells can work well for drip lines from AC units which can discharge roughly 20 gallons per day. They can typically only handle around 100 gallons of water, depending on the size of the well and the soil type so they are usually insufficient when it comes to handling downspout water because the average downspout discharges roughly 200 gallons per inch of rain.

Familiarity with Local Conditions: 

Local yard drainage experts like us have an intimate knowledge of the climate, soil types, and topography specific to your region. We understand how these factors impact water drainage and can tailor solutions to address the challenges unique to your area. This familiarity allows for more effective and targeted drainage strategies that are better suited to the local environment.

Teaming up with The City: 

Your local stormwater Management Department can be an excellent resource. We are experienced in working with stormwater Professionals to develop the best plans to fit your needs and budget while protecting the environment.

Safely installing the best system possible:

Drainage projects like a buried downspout drain pipe installation involve digging all through the yard. It is important to work with a drainage contractor near you that has experience with excavating around utilities like buried gas lines, power lines and communication lines. Damaging the plastic coating of a gas line, for instance, can cause the line to rust and leak years later. Damaging a buried gas or power line can be deadly. Working with a specialist with knowledge and expertise in digging around utilities is essential to safely install your drainage system.

Site-Specific Solutions: 

Different regions pose different drainage challenges. A drainage solution effective in one area may not be suitable for another. As a Holly Springs drainage  contractor, we understand the specific needs of your landscape and can design site-specific solutions that account for local conditions, ensuring optimal performance and long-term effectiveness.

Knowledge of Native Plants: 

We local experts are familiar with the native flora of the region. This is crucial when planning landscaping around drainage solutions, as native plants are often better adapted to local soil conditions and water availability. Integrating native plants into the landscape not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also contributes to the overall success of the drainage system.

Community Reputation: 

We have a great reputation within the community. Word of mouth and local reviews can provide insights into the quality of our work and customer satisfaction. Choosing Drain Designs as your Yard Drainage Repair service ensures that you are working with trusted professionals with a great reputation who have a vested interest in maintaining their great reputation in the community.

Climate Adaptation: 

We experts understand the seasonal variations and weather patterns specific to your area. This knowledge allows us to design drainage solutions that adapt to changes in climate, ensuring year-round effectiveness. From heavy rainfall to drought conditions, to snow melting and freezing around your basement, local expertise provides solutions that can withstand the challenges posed by the local climate. 

Drainage Systems Require Regular Maintenance: 

Do you know where your buried downspout drains and your foundation drain discharges at? It’s important to maintain these discharge areas to ensure that they don’t grow over or get buried. We have cameras and locating equipment as well as cleaning equipment to keep your system working optimally. Regular maintenance is vital for the longevity of drainage systems. Drain Designs offers routine check-ups and maintenance, ensuring that your drainage infrastructure remains in optimal condition. This fosters an ongoing relationship, allowing for long term care of your home and yard’s drainage needs. 

In conclusion, 

When searching for yard drainage services near you, Drain Designs is a strategic choice that offers a host of benefits. From a nuanced understanding of local conditions to compliance with regulations, quick response times and safe installations, we provide tailored solutions that ensure the effective management of water on your property. When it comes to protecting your home and nurturing a healthy and thriving outdoor space, the power of our local drainage expertise is an invaluable asset.

Drain Designs would love to serve you. We can help with all of your home, yard and property drainage needs. Give us a call if you’d like us to come by and figure out how to protect your investment by spotting red flags and creating a plan to optimize and maintain your drainage system.