Poor drainage at Mecklenburg County and Pittsylvania County, VA homes can cause extensive damage if not fixed promptly. Water can cause damage to not only your lawn and landscape but the house as well. By ensuring your property has the proper elevations and the water is diverting to the correct place, you can rest assured that you have proper drainage. Here are some common drainage problems and how they can be resolved.
Drainage Problems
Pooling water is a common drainage problem that many homeowners have. You might notice that you have standing water near the foundation of your home and other structures. This is an indication that water cannot properly drain and is potentially running downhill. This water can eventually seep into the wall studs or basement of your home and cause problems with mold and mildew if not corrected immediately.
Another indication of pooling water is puddles that are constantly appearing in your lawn and landscape. Even if you have a large storm come through, you should not be seeing big puddles of standing water. These puddles can not only kill your grass, but they can attract pests and insects.
Water that is not diverting properly can cause landscape beds to wash away. You might start noticing mulch that has been moved after a heavy rainfall. This can eventually lead to not only your mulch washing away, but your plants being damaged or killed as well.
Ongoing runoff can wreak havoc on your property, including your hardscape. These masonry features are not meant to withstand heavy water runoff and you may start noticing cracks in your walkways and driveways when the water seeps beneath these surfaces.
Solutions That Work
When it comes to drainage solutions, there are several that can be effective in solving your drainage problems.
A French drain is a common solution to water that is pooling near your home. A trench can be dug around the perimeter of your home and is then filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that catches the water. The pipe is then covered in gravel and the trench will be filled with dirt. This ensures that the water is then diverted to a better location and away from your home’s foundation.
Retaining walls are extremely effective in helping water that runs downhill in a landscape. A retaining wall can not only be an excellent drainage solution, but it can be designed to complement your home and landscape design. The addition of drains will help send the water to another location. Another reason to use retaining walls is for shoreline stabilization, if you live near the water and erosion is a concern.
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