If
you have lived in Reynoldsburg for some time, you are probably aware that not
all backyards are equal. Some are flat and easy to maintain, while others look
pretty from the kitchen window but once you get outside you realize the whole
yard is slanting in one direction, collecting water after every storm, or
becoming so difficult that the only thing to be done there is mowing.
We
hear from homeowners quite often that they say: "We have a backyard, but
we don't actually use it." Most of the time the slope plays a part in
this.
As
a Landscaper & Hardscaper in Reynoldsburg, OH, we have experienced how
frequent this is in neighborhoods with older grading plans, places with mixed
soil conditions and yards that have settled over time. The positive thing is
that a sloped yard does not have to remain being a nuisance. A good layout
combined with a little imagination may turn it into the highlight of the
property.
Reasons for
Sloped Yards Being Very Frequent Around Reynoldsburg
Many
Central Ohio properties were designed considering drainage, so numerous lots
were intentionally graded to push water away from homes. This is wise planning
but after several years homeowners have hardly any options left to enjoy such
outdoor spaces.
Plus,
you need to consider our local weather. Rain in spring can cause waterlogging.
Storms in summer can quite usually break the dams of water causing the water to
rush. Changes in soil caused by the freeze-thaw cycles of winter are capable of
dislocating the soil, loosening the edges and over time creating new ones.
What
starts as a mild slope can slowly become a bigger issue. Grass thins out in
worn areas. Water rushes down the yard instead of soaking in evenly. Furniture
never sits right. Kids avoid certain corners. Homeowners end up using only a
tiny portion of the yard.
We Hear Most
Often About Which Backyard Frustrations
Usually,
people don't label a slope as "the problem" immediately. Instead,
they first describe the symptoms.
One
homeowner complained about constantly feeling as if their patio chairs were
tilted even after a hundred adjustments. Another one mentioned that mowing the
backyard seemed to be a leg workout for them every single weekend. Besides, we
have heard statements like, "Every time it rains heavily, water floods the
house."
These
phrases belong to yard layout components not coming along naturally with the
grade of the land.
Even
small slopes can change how people use an outdoor living area. If it is not
comfortable, safe, or practical to use, people will just stop spending time
there naturally.
Backyard
Transformation Story from Reynoldsburg That Posed An Initial Situation of “We
Never Use This Yard”
After
years of ignoring their backyard, an area ripe with a premium slope from the
backyard fence all the way to the house, a family in the neighborhood
contacting us. The gradient was not drastic, but it has prevented them for many
years from enjoying their backyard seating and hosting the family gatherings.
A
small patio near the back door was their idea, and that is usually a good
initial plan, but after a thorough inspection and observation of how water
moves through the yard, it was evident to me that just a flat patio wouldn't be
the main factor leading to the solution.
Had
we placed a single slab at the bottom of the slope, runoff from the upper yard
would have moved straight toward it. Over time, that can create puddling,
washout, and frustration.
As
an alternative, we explored with them a better plan for the long haul.
Turning a Steep
Incline Into a Space That Feels Like Part of Nature
Instead
of opposing the characters of the yard, we turned to it.
Instead
of making the entire area one big flat surface, we drafted the land in
different levels that match the slope. It is one of the most common solutions
for Reynoldsburg yards as this method honors the natural grade while creating
usable areas.
Besides
a few steps down that lead to the porch with a fireplace, a more extensive
dining and entertaining patio space occupies the lower level. The planting beds
between the levels provide more natural transitions and produce a feeling of
continuity rather than engineering.
Many
people don't realize it is possible to have a combination of retaining walls,
steps, and level changes that do not look harsh but simply make the backyard a
more interesting, better organized, and enjoyable place.
The
family ended up with several areas to enjoy instead of one strange yard they
seldom entered by the time the project was completed.
Things You Should
Know About Retaining Walls
There
is a chance that some homeowners think a "retaining wall" is going to
be something huge and industrial, but most backyard walls are quite unobtrusive
and very functional.
A
properly constructed wall can control soil erosion, provide living space at
varying levels, allow for better circulation through the yard, and save money
in the long run since there will be no need to reseed grass as often or repair
areas damaged by run-off.
Retaining
walls are often one of the elements in the solution for sloped yard landscaping
in Reynoldsburg, OH, rather than merely being decorative additions.
Using
the right proportion means a lot. Not every yard requires a very high wall.
Sometimes the most beautiful and naturally feeling effect is achieved by a
series of low terrace walls.
Summary of What
Working on Sloped Properties Has Taught Us
While
working on numerous yards that are like this, a few issues have become obvious.
Without Water Flow, You Can’t Pick Materials
What
usually happens is that people get tricked by how pavers, lights, and furniture
placement change the look and feel of their outdoor living area and so the
whole design revolves around these elements.
Where
does rainwater accumulate during one of the most severe downpours? Does it then
flow at a good pace without stagnating? Is it too rapid? Our design solution
concentrates on these issues.
Having
a wonderful patio with a drainage problem is not going to be enjoyable over a
long period.
Plan to Maintain
We
advise property owners to consider maintenance before the project, especially
the level of effort required to keep the location looking good.
If
steep mulched beds are not protected by plants, rain will cause them to wash
away. Hard-to-reach corners get ignored. Too many narrow steps can become
annoying. Cleaner layouts with durable materials usually age better.
Don’t Overdo It in a Small Yard
The
great outdoor spaces we have encountered were not necessarily the biggest ones
but rather those that were well planned.
A
small installation of pavers in a yard in Reynoldsburg, OH, that featured
well-thought-out levels and planting spaces is going to feel more spacious than
an overfilled yard that is trying to accommodate too much.
Ways of Dealing
With Ohio Weather When Choosing Materials
Weather
in Central Ohio does dictate choices and changes of seasons including
freeze-thaw can be harsh on different materials.
For
this reason, textured pavers, carefully prepared base, layers for drainage, and
robust wall systems are of more importance than latest trends in finishes.
Slip
resistance is something to consider as well. A patio shaded will be damp more
often in spring and fall and the texture of the surface will be very helpful in
preventing slipping.
Beautiful
surface material is not always the best one when it can't withstand local
weather conditions.
5 Yard Slope
Indicators That Will Help You Determine Whether Your Backyard is Really
Unusable
If
you feel like the slope impacts your yard more than you thought, have a look at
the checklist below:
1.
Are you avoiding or not using some parts of your yard at all?
2.
Do puddles tend to form after rain or is there a place water runs very fast?
3.
Is mowing on some parts of yard either very difficult or dangerous?
4.
Do outdoor furniture/items such as fire pits never seem to be one level with
each other?
5.
Are there areas of grass that are completely bare due to frequent foot traffic?
A
positive response to a number of these questions usually means that larger
changes in layout will be necessary than just cosmetic ones.
Last Thoughts
from a Landscaper & Hardscaper in Reynoldsburg, OH
Some
of the biggest outdoor space transformations happen to be the one that started
with yards that homeowners were really about giving up on.
The
slope might be making you feel that the yard is out of your control, but that
is rarely the case. Through alterations to the grading, feasible patio design,
retaining walls where they are necessary and selection of materials that suit
the weather in Ohio, difficult yards very often become one of the most used
spaces in the house.
We
have had the pleasure to witness a family, among others, progress from saying
"We never use our backyard" to spending outside the whole evening,
hosting friends and actually enjoying their space.
Every
so often, the most special part of a property is just obscured by the wrong layout.
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