Drainage Options For Your Landscape.

Landscape Drainage

Where land is flat, soils are dense or the water table is high, a well designed drainage system is a priority. Without proper drainage solutions in place, water may collect to undermine structures, such as foundations, cellars, basements and drown expensive plants, turning parts of your new landscape into perpetually wet swamps. There are many options available for landscape drainage:

1. French Drains – A French drain, drain tile, perimeter drain or land drain is a trench covered with gravel or rock that redirects surface and groundwater away from an area.
2. Channel Drains for Patios & Driveways – a specific type of floor drain containing a dominant through- or channel-shaped body. It is used for the rapid evacuation of surface water or for the containment of utility lines or chemical spills.
3. River Rock Drainage Channels – River rock are round smooth stones typically grey & red in color. River rock channels are commonly used in landscapes to control water flow & also enhance the landscape by giving it a natural feel. These river rock channels look good in tropical settings as well as desert.
4. Foundation Drainage systems – Foundation drainage systems are typically needed in buildings with subsurface rooms. Structures built below grade are subject to water intrusion especially if storm-water or irrigation water is trapped against the foundation with no means of drainage.
5. Retaining Walls – Retaining walls are used for many purposes. One common purpose for a retaining wall is to retain earth behind it as in the case of a hillside or sloped lot. Other uses include planters, terracing, erosion control & decorative retaining walls.
6. Area & Surface Drains – Surface or Area Drains are one the most commonly used drains. Area drains collect storm water into a drain pipe that dispenses the water to another location. Landscape area drains are usually made from plastic, steel or brass. Drains can be as small as 3″ & as large as 24″ in diameter & can be square or round. Area drains can be used in planters, lawns, parking lots, patios & anywhere where standing water is a problem.
   
7. Sumps/Sump Pumps – A sump is something that is fairly common back East where there are basements. Basements can flood & so a sump is installed to pump the basement out.
8. Rain gutters/Downspout Drains – When purchasing a home or building, there are many features to consider. Size, floor space, closets, electrical and phone wiring, and more. One of the least-considered is the rain gutter system. A gutter system allows rain water to flow off and away from the roof without leaking down directly into the walls or foundation.

There can be multiple solutions to fix your landscape drainage problem. Consulting a drainage specialist to perform a complete landscape survey and design a efficient drainage solution.

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