While we’re sure everyone would prefer the rain of spring to the snow of winter, all that water can pool and collect in places that you’d rather not have it. Perhaps where your eavestrough downspout was built, you’re left with a puddle for most of the Spring season. Perhaps you live at the base of a hill or around a slight slope that makes water runoff a serious problem for your lawn’s health. Whatever the case, water from the spring season can be difficult to curb if you don’t know how, which is why Beverley Hills’ team gives you 3 tips to help in your crusade against water runoff!
Tip 1: Build A Berm!
What is a berm you may ask? Essentially it’s a manmade small hill. A berm works in the same way that the slope in your lawn creates a little lake of water runoff – it directs water flow. Or - more accurately - a berm disperses the collection of water by directing it into two areas while also absorbing some of it, preventing pools of runoff from forming.
So now that we know what a berm is, how can you make one? Well the most important thing to consider is the direction of natural run off. Look for where your water is pooling, and take your best guess as to why. Build your berm here for best results.
Use soil to create a large enough, well packed mound in a long oval, so that the water will be directed into two opposite directions. On top of the berm, you can either plant grass for a more concealed look (although you’ll have to mow it), or plant a garden of plants with extensive roots – such as bushes or large ferns. These also have the added bonus of absorbing the water as well as redirecting it!
Tip 2: Dry Well Drainage
If your water is collecting due to the downspout, or near your home, a berm might not be the best option. Consider building a dry well instead – basically a hole in the ground that collects the water. Dig a small hole, a foot or so deep, and fill it with perforated piping, then line the piping in the hole with gravel. This will collect the water, and then allow it to slowly percolate around the surrounding ground. Without drainage capabilities, the dry well will just collect the water without dispersing it, meaning that water with eventually settle and become a breeding ground for insects. Always allow the water to pool momentarily before slowly drained into the surrounding area.
Tip 3: French Drain
A French drain is a slightly bigger project than a dry well, but may be your best bet if you have a large water runoff problem. If you are noticing water seeping through your foundation, or consistently pooling by your home, we recommend this option. It may be a larger project, but the results are well worth it. Now, many people get a professional to install a French drain - which is never a bad idea. But if you plan carefully, buy the right materials, know what you’re doing, installing a French drain can be done on the weekend yourself and curb your water woes.
A French drain is perforated drain pipe surrounded by gravel that slopes downward, effectively transporting the water away from your home.
- First, you need to dig a ditch from where the water pools, along a downward grade to where you want the water to be relocated. Simply dig the ditch atleast two feet deep – deeper if you feel ambitious
- Then pour some clean gravel along the bottom (not too much) and spread it along the bottom of the ditch
- Lay the drainage pipe, again – and this is important – you ensure that the pipe is on a downward slope away from the home.
- Cover the pipe with more gravel
- Cover the gravel with a plastic soil separator layer to prevent the soil from filling and clogging the drainage pipe
- Layer soil overtop and voila!
You can use this same method but attach it directly to your downspout if the downspout is the reason you have water runoff pooling in an area.
Water runoff can be not only a nuisance to your lawn’s health - and the look of your yard - but a serious threat to your foundation as well. We hope you found these tips useful in your own issues with water runoff! Stay tuned for more learning articles here!