If
you have been a resident of Monmouth County for a time, you probably already
know how quickly a normal rain can turn into a backyard problem. One day you
may be looking at a fine lawn while the next day you are facing puddles near
the patio, wet grass by the fence line, and muddy footprints all over the
house.
This
is just one of the drainage problems we get called for all the time, especially
after a stretch of wet weather in spring and during those heavy summer storms
that seem to dump inches of rain in a very short time. Many people who have
drainage problems with their yards think that they have no choice but to tear
up the whole yard and start from scratch. Fortunately, that is hardly ever the
case.
Most
of the drainage problems can be fixed to a great extent by making thoughtful
changes, observing carefully, and a little planning. Our experience has been
that simple solutions are usually the best and people are surprised at how
simple the ones that work best are.
What Makes
Drainage a Very Common Problem in Monmouth County
Here
we have a variety of situations in terms of property conditions. Some
neighborhood areas have flat spots where water has literally nowhere to go.
Other spots have slopes that lead runoff to be dumped directly on patios or
side yards. Some properties have compacted soil that doesn’t absorb water well
especially after frequent foot traffic, mowing, or construction work over the
years.
Then
there is the issue of weather.
Homeowners
in Monmouth County have to deal with nor’easters, summer downpours, humid
spells, melting snow, and long rainy periods in spring. Even a very
well-maintained yard can have a hard time when the ground remains saturated for
days.
We
have also noticed many older homes where grading might have changed with time.
Soil settling, fading mulch beds, and additions such as a shed, a patio, or a
fence have all changed how water flows across a property.
The Earliest
Clues That Your Yard Is in Trouble
Drainage
problems usually creep up without anyone noticing until they become extremely
aggravating. Usually, the first symptoms are minor.
The
issue is that a lot of the time folks do not see the need for a change until
the problem is quite big. Here are some indications that you should be working
on:
1.
Puddles that last for more than 24 hours after a rain
2.
Grass yellowing or thinning in a certain area
3.
Muddy areas near walkways or gates
4.
Mulch being washed into the lawn
5.
Pooling of water near the foundation
6.
Presence of mosquitoes in a damp corner of the yard
7.
Slippery edges on the patio or presence of algae on pavers
These
are not merely matters of nice appearance. Water that keeps gathering in one
spot over and over can open pathways for lawn root injury, hardscape staining
as well as pest attraction, and all of these will lead to repair work of a far
larger scale later on.
Improved Backyard
of a Customer in the Farmingdale Area
One
client around Farmingdale called us up after their backyard had been flooded
continually every year in the same spot behind the patio. After a while, they
had tried everything - putting down seed, laying extra mulch nearby and even
staying away from the place after rain.
One
very wet spring time, the situation became quite unbearable. Water would back
up behind the patio and remain there for two or three days. The kids seemed to
never have the yard at their disposal; the dog kept bringing in mud; the grass
was always in a state of decline.
The
problem was almost instantly visible to us when we were showing them around the
property.
The
patio was there for quite a few years already but the soil grading around it
had quite a bit of settling since then. Since water naturally flows to the
lowest point, in this case, the edge of the patio, where it then back up in a
small hollow that was created by soil compaction.
We
did not propose anything drastic but we liked their line of thinking and
decided a few practical adjustments to the existing situation should do the
trick:
1.
Reshaping the low part for proper drainage
2.
On improving the soil, the water will have no problem soaking in there
3.
Another downspout extension was installed away from the affected area
4.
Once the drainage system did its job, the lawn sections that got damaged were
renovated
5.
A well-designed planting bed that naturally absorbs runoff was created
They
noticed a big change the very next time it rained hard. No more standing water
and the mud was drastically reduced which led to the backyard being a pleasure
to the eyes and functional at the same time.
When
our projects spread out to help different customers in their own backyards,
these are typically the ways that they work out. Nature is our best ally here -
it is not always about increasing our efforts, sometimes it is just about doing
things well in the right moments and places.
Best Solutions by
Oneself
A
large number of drainage problems can be solved simply and effectively by the
homeowner without the need for a lot of changes.
Inspect Your Downspouts
Roof
runoff is one of the leading reasons why people find their yards turning into
wet spots. A big volume of water is being directed to one single place during a
storm which, in most cases, ends up creating more problems than solutions.
Check
whether the water from downspouts is released too close to your foundation or
fraying parts of your lawn.
Observe the Movement of Water in Your Yard
during Rainfall
This
is not a complicated thing to do and it can be of great help. Next time you are
showered by a moderate rain, just go out and take a look where the water goes.
Does
it go down the driveway to the side yard? Does it hold at the patio edge? Does
just one corner of the gutter pour all the water?."
Decompact Lawn Areas by Aeration
Aeration
through coring is an excellent way to decompact soil thus improving water, air,
and nutrient uptake by the roots of the grass and plants.
Refresh Your Beds and Borders
Mulched
garden beds and growing spaces can help slow down the effect of water runoff
and at the same time, soak up the moisture - provided these are in good shape
and maintained well both in terms of =",">planting density and
mulch depth. Beds where the edges have collapsed or which are filled to
capacity with old mulch may well be in need of some attention.
Landscaping As A
Means To Help With Drainage Without Expensive Upgrades
I
think a number of the most impressive drainage methods are the ones which you
cannot tell at the first glance that are drainage solutions at all.
They
present themselves as just perfectly good landscaping.
Plants That Are Native
Numerous
native plants are well equipped to survive the typical rainfall patterns of the
region. They tend to have well-developed roots which are great for holding the
surrounding soil in place and assisting water absorption as well.
Rain Gardens
A
rain garden spot is capable of receiving water from rooftops or draining slopes
while at the same time functionally and attractively changing one’s thought of
the problem area.
Permeable Surfaces
Usually,
hard surfaces direct water away quickly. Water may, however, absorb better if
you use permeable walkway, small-sized gravel or pavers that are spaced well.
Plan and Execute Planting
Producing
endless greenery only can lead to the exponential growth of "thirsty"
plants. Drastically mown down and ill-watered plants can only become a relief
spot which actively attracts water for the soil.
Slip-Ups Made by
Homeowners Even When They Intend Well
One
of the common mistakes made by homeowners is to simply do nothing when they see
the problem coming. Here are some examples:
Adding More Mulch to a Wet Spot
If
you add even more mulch on a wet area, you will only end up with floating mulch
and a messy soggy situation.
Ignoring Small Puddles
That
tiny puddle on the grass now can become an unsightly, dead area by summer.
Installing a Patio Before Solving Grade Issues
Stunning
hardscaping by itself will not solve your drainage problems. Sometimes, a
hardscaping job may even exacerbate your water issues if the water gets
redirected to a worse spot.
Re-Seeding Too Soon
The
grass seed may have a hard time in the institution of a continued presence of
water and until a drainage issue is corrected, re-seeding may not be fruitful.
When Must One
Look for a Landscaper in Farmingdale, NJ
There
is a point when the problem is serious enough to go beyond your ordinary
maintenance level.
Such
situations include water extremely close to the foundation repeatedly, flooding
of basement window wells, erosion of beds, destruction of patios, and large
areas of your property that are constantly kept wet - these are major signs
that you definitely would benefit from a comprehensive site analysis by a
professional.
Besides
focusing on the particular locations where the problem tread, a good Landscaperin Farmingdale, NJ is one who considers the whole property since often, water
problems originate upstream - from roof runoff, slope modification, runoff from
the neighboring buildings and from compacted spots of the yard.
This
expanded focus often provides a springboard for more effective and
longer-lasting solutions.
A Small Fix Now
Will Lead to a Very Healthy Yard
One
of the things that we have found from the many cases we have dealt with is that
drainage problems do not simply disappear on their own. Most likely, they will
remain exactly as they are or they will gradually worsen.
The
great news is that these issues do not necessarily call for very huge and
radical projects either.
Sometimes
all that is needed is for a small grading adjustment to be made. Sometimes it
can simply be moved where the water is going out of the downspout. Other times
it is about soil improvement and smarter planting.
If
you have a wet spot in the yard that rarely dries up, do not just leave it
until it becomes a mud pit for the whole season. After the rain, be attentive.
Watch where the water is going. Note which parts are wetst longest.
It
is these small hints that often point you in the direction of easy ways out.
And
in a place like Monmouth County where the weather is quite unpredictable, a
little foresight when it comes to the yard goes a long way.
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