6 Yard Drainage Solutions for Rainy Season

Effective yard drainage should be a top priority for every homeowner. With the proper yard drainage solutions, you can prevent soil erosion and eliminate standing water, which is both unsightly and dangerously slippery. You’ll also be protecting your home’s foundation from water damage, which can occur if water reaches your home’s foundation.  

If you don’t know how to keep your yard dry, it’s important to learn about the various yard drainage solutions you can implement. This ranges from low-cost DIY options to complex systems installed by a professional service. To help you determine which method best suits your property, here are six yard drainage solutions to protect your home this rainy season. 

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Aerate Your Property

Aerating your property is one of the easiest yard drainage solutions out there. All you have to do is create small holes throughout your lawn using a pitchfork or a similarly shaped tool.  

These tiny holes help break up compacted soil while introducing more nutrients into the ground. They also prevent water from pooling up in one or two places, which can cause issues like soil erosion. Instead of pooling, the excess water will have tons of small holes to drain into.  

Put Out a Rain Barrel

Downspouts are fantastic for draining rainwater from your roof. However, that water will have to go somewhere. By simply placing a rain barrel underneath your downspout, you can prevent the water coming through it from eroding your soil or reaching your home’s foundation.  

This solution is low-cost, requires minimal effort, and allows you to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Collected rainwater, which would normally be wasted, can be used to water plants, compost, and much more. However, it’s important to note that collecting rainwater is actually illegal in some states. To avoid a fine, please consult local rules and regulations on the matter before you purchase or begin using a rain barrel.  

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Alter Your Downspout

As stated above, you could run into problems if your downspout is too close to your home’s foundation or is forming a basin in your lawn. Thankfully, this problem has a relatively straightforward solution. You can alter your downspout by simply extending it and diverting the water away from your home.   

To extend your downspout, you’ll need a power drill, screws, washers, bolts, pliers, and extra spout material. Before starting the project, make sure you have a plan regarding where to divert this rainwater. If you begin extending the downspout without a plan, you could end up sending the water into a neighboring property rather than a storm drain of some sort. 

Install a Channel Drain

A channel drain is typically installed in a concrete or asphalt driveway or walkway. This type of drain is ideal for people with driveways and walkways sending rainwater in the wrong direction, such as towards the home’s foundation. To install a channel, a narrow trench has to be cut into your concrete or asphalt driveway. A channel drain is then placed into the canal so that it’s somewhat flush with the rest of the driveway.  

You can technically install a channel drain on your own, provided you have some relevant experience and the appropriate tools (sledgehammer, concrete saw, reciprocating saw, etc.). However, this is a project you may want to leave to a professional. The last thing you want is to cause serious damage to your driveway accidentally. 

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Create a French Drain

French drains are a reliable solution for lawns that tend to accumulate a lot of surface water. If aerating your lawn doesn’t quite get the job done, adding a French drain could do the trick. The good news is French drains are much easier to install on your own than channel drains.  

To install a French drain, start by digging a long but narrow trench where water tends to pool on your property. Next, insert a perforated PVC pipe and fill the trench with porous materials like gravel. The excess water will travel through the rock and into the pipe to be carried elsewhere.  

Hire a Professional

Though almost all of the suggestions above are DIY-friendly, there’s nothing wrong with hiring a professional service to install a more complex drainage system. Hiring an expert isn’t as cost-effective as simply aerating your lawn or putting out a rain barrel. However, a professional service has the resources and experience necessary to install a more reliable and sophisticated drainage system for you. 

There are a few other benefits to hiring a professional. Most importantly, they’re well-equipped to identify problems and develop custom solutions best suited to your property’s layout and needs. 

Wrapping Up 

Whether you plan on calling a professional or installing your own drain, it’s important to act before rainwater damages your home or property in some way. Get your drainage system set up before problems occur so you can spend the season enjoying your yard.  

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