Poor drainage is a common landscaping issue that can lead to soil erosion and damage to nearby plants. However, you might not immediately recognize signs that your property has poor drainage. Here’s a guide to identifying waterflow problems and a few simple drainage solutions you can use to address them.

3 Problems That May Be Caused by Poor Drainage

1. Puddling Near the Foundation

Puddles that form along the foundation after a rainstorm can damage the concrete, compromising the structural integrity of your house. With enough rainfall, this can also flood your basement. A landscape contractor can grade the soil around your home to channel water away from the structure and prevent pooling.

2. Marshy Conditions in Yard

Grading can help keep water away from the foundation, but it can create a marshy situation in the yard if it’s performed incorrectly. During heavy rainfall, the soil might not absorb all the water, which leaves standing water on the surface of your property. If your lawn is submerged, the grass will probably yellow and die. The marshy conditions can also support mosquitoes and other pests.

A landscaping contractor can resolve this problem by directing water to lower elevation or into a creek off your property. A professional can also design your landscaping to accommodate wet conditions by installing a water garden with ferns, hostas, and other marshy plants. If your soil is too compacted to absorb water effectively, aerating the soil might produce better results.

3. Gutter Spouts Eroding Soil

The positioning of your gutter spouts can damage your property if the system directs runoff into a garden bed, along the driveway or sidewalk, or near the foundation. When this happens, soil will erode in a narrow channel along these structures. An underground gutter system is an effective drainage solution that bypasses the lawn and empties directly on the street. This option is discreet and won’t be visible above ground.

If standing water pools on your property or erodes the soil, Montana Gardens can evaluate your yard and provide drainage solutions that will require minimal maintenance on your part. They offer landscaping services throughout the Flathead Valley, including Kalispell, Whitefish, Bigfork, and Columbia Falls. To learn more about the company’s president, Doug Adams, and his life-long love for plants, visit their website. Call (406) 250-4950 to schedule an appointment for drainage solutions today.