How Can I Protect My Home From Outside Flooding?

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

A puddle in your yard can lead to severe water damage in your Roanoke Rapids, NC home.

Have you noticed puddles forming in your Roanoke Rapids, NC, yard after a rainstorm? Improper landscaping can lead to outside flooding, which can potentially cause several major problems for your house and property. These issues can go from being a minor annoyance to a severe matter requiring water damage restoration professionals in a relatively short amount of time. To make matters worse, some cities have started charging homeowners stormwater runoff fees because this extra drainage can pollute the water system with pesticides and other chemicals.

Improper rain drainage can lead to problems, such as:

• Creating basement leaks
• Killing grass
• Tracking mud indoors on shoes
• Making yard maintenance difficult
• Producing structural damage
• Making the property unsightly
  

Fortunately, there are a few potential drainage fixes you can try to return your yard to a beautiful area that everyone can enjoy. Depending on the details of your specific property, one or a combination of two or more of these solutions should help create a puddle-free property.

Landscaping for Rain Drainage

1. Install a Downspout Diverter

Preventing flooding around your house could be as simple as installing a downspout diverter. It will take water away from the walls of the house and send it to the lower ground.

2. Add a Rain Garden

A rain garden will typically be about 50-100 square feet in size. It can be a great help for reducing flooding. It provides a proper place for water to collect during heavy rainfall. Plants with the highest moisture tolerance should be planted in the garden's center, and the other plants will drain to them. The pooling water in the center will slowly seep back into the soil.

3. Replace Light Mulch With Heavier Mulch

A heavier mulch can often help with outside flooding problems. Heavy rains can spread light mulch, which not only creates a mess but can also clog drains that will then overflow. Instead of a light mulch, such as pine, opt for a hardwood mulch or a man-made material.

4. Opt for a Gravel Driveway

Gravel can be a much better way to mitigate flooding at your home than concrete or asphalt. It is also a more eco-friendly option and requires less maintenance.

5. Create a Swale

A swale is a dip in a landscape that directs the flow of water drainage. It should be directed into a specific area that won't result in damage. Make a swale even more efficient by planting deep-rooting plants on the slopes and lining the lowest part of the swale with rocks. This will slow the water's drainage path while diverting it where you want it.

6. Install an Eco-Roof

If you have a flat or a slightly sloped roof, a green roof could be a great unique solution to your flood problem. Studies have shown that eco-roofs not only help increase the lifespan of a roof but also provide better insulation that will assist in lowering your heating and cooling bills.

Landscaping your yard for better rain drainage can benefit your property and the environment. Begin today by looking at your options to solve all your outside flooding issues.