Typically, residents and tourists alike utilize the warmer weather and longer days to explore the hiking trails and parks, and businesses open their patios, balconies, and bay doors to customers; however, this year people must heed social distancing guidelines and enjoy the outdoors from their own homes.
What To Do About Drainage Issues in Your Yard
Spring is a wonderful time to enjoy your yard and landscaping. Flowers and trees are blooming, and the birds and crickets are singing. The Blue Ridge Parkway comes to life with color, while the mountains surrounding downtown Hendersonville transition from grey to green.
As families in Henderson and Greenville Counties find themselves sheltering at home, they are at least able to enjoy the change in the weather that has allowed them to send their kids outside for hours at a time. You may have noticed, however, you are constantly reminding them to stay away from poor drainage areas and standing water that takes too long to leave your yard.
Drainage issues are not just inconvenient, they can lead to a multitude of other problems and damage your property. In this article, we are providing solutions for your yard's flooding problems that will help ensure you can keep enjoying your landscape throughout spring and summer.
The Problem With Poor Drainage
On average, Hendersonville and Greenville receive 45 and 51 inches of rain per year, respectfully. Rain falls frequently throughout the year, with June being the wettest month and October the driest. However, heavy thunderstorms, the remnants of tropical storms, and multi-day low-pressure systems can cause too much water to fall too quickly. The combination of flash flooding and steep terrain can lead to structural damage and landslides in our area.
If your yard is prone to poor drainage, you may have standing water for days and weeks after these events. As recently as 2018, our area received almost 80 inches of rain, further exacerbating landscape flooding issues. Poor drainage can be a result of several factors, including:
- Flash Flooding: A strong surge of running water may carve channels in your yard that divert rainfall to the parts of your property that do not drain well.
- Erosion: As the dirt and soil shift with repeated rainfall, erosion may lead to low spots in your yard that drain poorly.
- Landscaping and Pavement: Sidewalks, driveways, and landscaping can lead to improper diversion of water from your property.
- Elevation: Lawns and yards in the Asheville and Hendersonville areas are rarely flat and often sloped in a manner that makes it difficult to effectively divert water.
- Gutter Spouts: If your gutters are damaged, or the spouts are not sending water away from your home, it can lead to ponding water near your foundation and basement.
Poor drainage is not simply inconvenient, it can lead to other expensive issues, including:
- Water damage: If your drainage issues are near your home or shed, prolonged standing water can eventually cause wood rot and structural damage.
- Erosion: Your water issues can lead to erosion, further exasperating the drainage problems.
- Landscape problems: Standing water will damage landscaping and your lawn.
- Termites and other bugs: Termites and other bugs love moisture and standing water. If there is ponding near your home, woodpile, or shed, you should watch out for the development of termite issues.
- Mosquitos: Ponding water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitos, which are annoying and can carry diseases.
You have drainage issues, but what, if anything, can you do about it?
What To Do About Poor Drainage
The key to correcting your property’s drainage issues is reaching to an expert. You need help determining the source of your flooding problems before you can solve it. There is a good chance your yard will have to be changed; so, this is not often a DIY project. At the same time, your poor drainage may be an opportunity to add a beautiful landscape feature.
Your property may need to be leveled and graded or re-graded. Additionally, you may need to add a number of erosion control measures such as soil, sod, and other elements. You might even choose to add water harvesting features such as dry wells, terraces, ponds, and waterfalls. These elements can ultimately add to your outdoor aesthetic and increase your property value.
The key to correcting your water shortage issues in a manner that will add to your yard’s beauty and value is working with a company that has experience in your area. For Hendersonville, Greenville, and Spartanburg area residents and property owners, Garrett’s is here to help. Contact the team at Garrett’s before your drainage issues cause more problems.