You’ve heard it before, “April showers bring May flowers.” While April showers do supply much-needed moisture and nutrients to budding spring flowers and vibrant green grass, they can also cause a slew of drainage problems to your yard. Without a proper drainage system, life-giving water can kill your existing plants and trees. To prevent yard drainage problems, it’s important to be informed. Here are some frequently asked questions.

Why is drainage so important?Water is essential to plants growth, but we all know that having too much of a good thing isn’t always good. When water collects in one area of your yard, it can kill surrounding trees, plants, and grass, encourage fungus and disease, and cause damage to structures. Where heavy downpours are common, as they are here in Alabama, poorly drained areas often become flooded, sometimes for extended periods of time, resulting in damage to your home and landscaping. It’s important to provide the water with somewhere to go so it doesn’t pool in one place.

How do I know if I have a yard drainage problem?If you constantly see standing water in your yard or experience saturation, you more than likely have a yard drainage problem. However, you can tell if your soil will perc with this simple procedure. Dig a hole approximately two feet deep and two feet wide, fill it with water, and see how long it takes to drain. If your drainage is excellent, it will drain within an hour. If it takes up to 12 hours to drain, you more than likely have some problems. If it takes more than 24 hours, you have a serious yard drainage problem that could potentially damage the deep roots of trees and shrubs in your yard.

How can I prevent yard drainage problems?There are many ways to correct drainage problems depending on the type of water damage present. The three most common systems include Surface Drains, Positive Flow Subsurface Drains, and Subterranean Leach Field Drains (also known as “French Drain”). You can read more about these systems here. Although these systems all function differently, they all have this in common: they prevent water from collecting and damaging your landscape’s plants and structures.Drainage systems are an essential part of your landscape. Without it, the time and money you’ve invested into your landscape will more than likely go to waste. Installing a drainage system can be a challenging task, so you may want to call in the professionals. At DSLD Land Management, we have years of experience designing and installing drainage systems. We will assess your drainage issues and develop a plan to ensure your landscape and/or yard is not being hindered by standing water and is in the best shape for cultivating a healthy lawn and plants. Contact us today.