Landscaper & Hardscaper in Reynoldsburg, OH means getting used to the weather that keeps us always on our
toes. One day we have steady spring rains, and then suddenly, everything dries
up, and shortly after, we're talking about freezing temps. That kind of
irregularity can be tough on a yard, especially when drainage issues have been
lurking under the surface.
Many
homeowners think that drainage problems only come up when there's a huge pond
in the backyard. Actually, water issues normally originate from a minor leak.
For instance, the lawn doesn't dry out as fast as that of the neighbor. Or the
mulch keeps getting washed into the driveway after storms. Or there is always
that one corner of the patio that feels wet and slippery.
Around
here, such minor indications are really worth noticing.
Here
at Sanberland Hardscape & Landscape, we have come across a number of
backyards where the "landscape problem" was actually a water problem
in disguise. After the drainage was sorted, the rest was much more manageable
and enjoyable.
Reasons Drainage
Issues Are Common in Reynoldsburg
Several
factors making city yards challenging in Central Ohio.
In
the first place, the properties in and around Reynoldsburg are predominantly of
heavier clay soil. Clay soil has a property of trapping water for a long time,
which implies that rain does not always get absorbed promptly. Most of the
time, it is left on the surface or flows to the lowest point of the yard.
Another
thing is that our freeze-thaw cycles can, after several years, gradually
dislodge soil, pavers, edging, and grading. Something that drained well five
years ago may not drain the same way now.
Furthermore,
a lot of neighborhoods have fences, patios, sheds, garden beds, and additions
that were installed over the years. Each new feature can slightly alter how
water flows.
An
isolated problem is hardly ever so extreme. However, when combined, they can
result in annoying wet spots and soil erosion.
Top Indicators
Your Yard Is Retaining Too Much Water
Most
of the time people don't even think about drainage problems until they see
water standing. Actually, the warning signs come much earlier.
Grass That Never Seems to Dry
If
after a storm some part of the lawn remains soggy, it is probably that the
location is too low or the soil is very compacted. It becomes difficult to mow,
you can see footprints in the wet ground, and over time the grass thins out.
Water near the house
Pooling,
even if it is just a little bit, particularly near a foundation, steps or
garage, should be seriously considered. Water will always seek the path of
least resistance and you definitely don't want that path to be your home.
Mulch or Gravel Washout
If
you find yourself unexpectedly purchasing more mulch or sod after every storm,
it's likely that a forceful flow of water is coming through your landscape.
Sinking Patio/Walkway
Surface
water could have seeped beneath concrete or paving stones and washed away the
soil support. You walk towards a slope in the paver area, or notice a sunken
step edge.
Backyard We
Transformed Using Minimum Interventions
That
one job really sticks with us–a couple living with a backyard that was almost
always wet in the spring. They thought they needed a full yard makeover, which
can sound so overwhelming and expensive.
From
our perspective, this was not a big problem at all.
Two
rain leader tubes discharged water close to the foundation, and there was a
subtle low spot in the yard that led runoff to the patio. Moreover, years of
use had compacted the soil where children’ s played.
Instead
of tearing up the whole backyard, we focused on the flow of water.
We
simply took the downspouts further away, changed the slope in a couple of
places, and made a rock drainage feature that was not out of place in the
landscape. Also, we aerated and amended the compacted area of the lawn.
Rainfall
doesn’t puddle near the patio anymore. The muddy play zone is a thing of the
past. The house stays clean without having to carry a muddy bunch of kids in
disrupting the home environment.
This
was a good example that the smartest option is often a targeted one rather than
a dramatic one.
Simple Draining
Solutions That Suit Most Reynoldsburg Gardens
Each
estate is distinctive, still, the following ones may be helpful to many locals.
Leveling
Off/Slope Modification
Sometimes,
a slight regrading produces a dramatic improvement. Water merely requires a
gentle route in order to adequately move away. Changing one problem spot can
easily be the solution to persistent puddles.
Downspout Pipes
Extensions
Some
of the most dumb and simple drainage mistakes we see are due to not extending
downspouts at least a few feet away from the foundation.
Dry Creek Beds
Combine
beauty and function by channeling heavy rainwater through the yard with a
decorative stone dry creek bed. This allows the water to flow naturally while
adding interesting character to the landscape.
Permeable
Hardscaping
Through
joint or base material permeability, this type of hardscaping can allow water
infiltration instead of runoff generation. This will facilitate small yards in
particular.
Improved/Precise
Planting Bed Edging and Mulch Containment
The
problem isn’t with the whole yard—it’s just one planting bed that’s getting hit
hard by runoff. Better edging combined with locally changing water flow keeps
things in place.
Typical DIY
Errors We Come Across
Many
homeowners try and fix drainage themselves the first time because they want to
save money. That’s logical. Yet, some fixes may actually backfire.
Piling Up Soil Without Inspecting Slope
People
often add topsoil to a low patch but if the slope still drains water toward the
house, the drainage problem will return. Sometimes it even becomes worse.
Putting Gravel Over Wet Spots
Gravel
is often used to cover a muddy spot, but what it does is just hide the problem
as the water has nowhere to go.
Not Addressing Water Sources in Your Yard
The
puddle is often not where the problem begins. Water may be coming from a
roofline, side yard, neighboring grade, or compacted path uphill.
Appearing Great but Functioning Poor
Building
a new patio or replanting a bed without fixing an existing drainage issue will
leave you with problems sooner than you expect.
Season for Yard
Drainage Fixes in Ohio
Because
of rain and very thawing of the ground, that is when a lot of homeowners
discover drainage problems.
We get drier conditions in the summer which
make it work easier for ground and machinery access and it is the best period
for repairs.
There is still time in the fall to do the
necessary upgrades before the winter freeze-thaw cycles change the ground.
In
fact, the optimal time is when you initially notice the recurring issue. Water
issues hardly ever resolve themselves.
Enhanced Water
Movement Facilitates a Healthier Lawn in many Ways
Now,
this is something that people don’t readily think about.
Once drainage gets restored, grass actually
thrives better. Also, the mulch remains in its place. Patios become more
durable. The standing water that serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes
vanishes.
Dealing
with poor water flow is where a lot of major outdoor annoyance trace back to.
Concluding
Comments From a Landscaper & Hardscaper in Reynoldsburg, OH
If
your yard has a section that is constantly wet, gets washed out, or is hard to
maintain, don’t be quick to think that you’ll need a total overhaul. A water
problem in a better path to flow is usually the case for many properties in
Reynoldsburg;
However,
it has been our experience that well thought out drainage fixes can often
significantly enhance a yard's appearance and health more than costly cosmetic
changes. Usually, one things leads to another; when water is working with the
property rather than against it, everything else tends to go smoothly.
Occasionally,
the best landscaping upgrade is not what you put in or build — it is simply
rerouting rain after it falls.
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