Royal Creations Blog

Grading and Drainage Issues 

With the spring rains last week, we have noticed many people are experiencing drainage issues.  If these are not taken care of, they can damage your foundation and other structures, cause erosion issues, or make your yard a swampy mess.  Here are some things to consider making sure you don’t have those problems. 

Swales and Berms 

Swales and berms work to channel and direct stormwater, so it doesn’t impact your foundation or other hardscape areas.  Swales are the valleys and berms are the hills.  If you have a row of houses with similar stormwater problems, you may have to work with your neighbors to create a swale and berm system to shield all the homes without making the problem worse for some of them. 

Burying Downspouts 

A lot of water can move off the roof of your home through the downspout and cause a problem with your foundation.  The solution is to bury the downspout and channel that water at least ten feet from the foundation.  Alternatively, you can make a rock stream path lined with plants that can tolerate being submerged for twelve to twenty-four hours after a heavy rain, but can also tolerate being dry for long periods.  Native grasses work well for this with their thick crowns that resist erosion. 

French Drains 

If you have a low spot that doesn’t drain well but can’t be filled in, like around the foundation, you may need a French drain.  This is a trench that is lined with a fabric barrier.  A perforated pipe is placed in the trench and it is filled with rock.  Some people put a layer of sod on top, while others leave the rock exposed.  The French drain helps the surface water drain instead of standing and providing a home for mosquitoes. 

Drainage Plan 

Developing a comprehensive drainage plan can help you safely direct stormwater around your landscape.  Some jurisdictions require such a plan if you add more than 400 square feet of impervious surface.  Comprehensive drainage plans are important to make sure you do not send water into your neighbor's house. 

We Can Help 

If you are having stormwater and drainage problems, Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can help design a comprehensive drainage plan and install it for you.  Simply schedule a consultation and we will come out.