By Shawn Marshall • May 12, 2022

Water management can help solve many landscape drainage issues for property owners. Issues such as pooling water, low spots that collect water, or improper grading that leads water right to your foundation. The main thing is to know what solution is right for your drainage problems.

If your property is experiencing water damage to its foundations and interior, you have learned a hard lesson about the importance of proper drainage. Directing excess water away from a home’s foundation is paramount to protecting its structure.

Proper drainage not only protects your interior but also makes the home and surrounding property more livable, healthier, and safer.

Hire a professional to to prevent water from building up around the foundation. This is the first step in creating proper drainage. But there are a number of other ways to effectively divert water to other areas of your landscape.

Flexible corrugated plastic pipe attached to a downspout and buried underground to guide rainwater away from the foundation is a perfect solution. This is the most basic and effective way of protecting your home from water damage.

Storm sewers collect stormwater runoff through a surface inlet and drain it in a closed system to an appropriate outlet, such as a stream or other waterway. Drains and grates also collect excess water. Water flows into the box with buried piping that directs water to run downhill.

Swale drains are broad, shallow ditches that can be lined with grass, vegetation, or rocks. Drainages swales are engineered at the proper pitch to guide water off your property or to an area away from the foundation.

It's a more natural way to help drain yards to prevent flooding, puddling, and erosion. They can also be a great addition to your landscape by looking like a dry stream bed. Rule of thumb in the water management business is that standing water should not last more than 24 hours.

A French drain involves laying perforated piping sheathed by a fabric sock to prevent debris from clogging the pipe. The pipe is installed in a trough fully surrounded by gravel before covering with soil and grass seed. This is a very effective and durable way to control proper drainage.

Basically, a dry well is a large hole filled with gravel that catches excess water and holds it while it slowly soaks into the ground. Burying a holding tank surrounded by gravel will increase the dry well capacity. This will better control the draining of excess water.

A rain garden in problem locations on your property could be the solution when an underground spring or creek is the issue. First, the area needs to be excavated and replaced with an engineered soil or gravel soil mix to allow water to slowly absorb. Fill the garden with water-loving plants such as ferns, Hosta, and colorful perennials.

Rain barrels are becoming a popular way to recycle rainwater for plant irrigation. Installing a water barrel or storage well below grade to capture the runoff to use the water at a later date.

Retaining walls offer a great solution for properties with drainage challenges, especially on slopes. They help stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and guide water away from foundations. With features like weep holes and gravel backfill, retaining walls are engineered to allow water to escape rather than build up. By adding tiered levels, they also manage runoff in stages, keeping your landscape secure and functional. Retaining walls not only control water but also add a polished look to your outdoor space.

Explore retaining wall solutions for effective drainage management.

Ready to safeguard your property with professional water management solutions? Contact Marshall Landscaping to schedule an assessment and ensure your property is protected from water damage. Or check out our service page for more on water drainage and management. As a trusted Northern Delaware provider, we are dedicated to delivering reliable, effective drainage solutions tailored to your needs. Experience the peace of mind that comes with professional landscaping and water management. Let us help you keep your home and property safe and beautiful for years to come.