How Careful Planning Prevents Landscape Drainage Problems

Landscape drainage isn’t something people really think about until there’s a problem. When water backs up in the yard, your basement floods, or the new landscaping begins to fail, drainage becomes the best solution. Don't let your landscape drainage problems get out of hand. Here are some tips to help you prevent landscape drainage problems before they start.

1. Create a Drainage PlanA landscape drainage plan can save you a lot of money and headaches in the long run. Even if you don’t know the first thing about drainage in the landscape, this first step will give you a basic idea of how the water moves through your landscape. By knowing how the water flows through your yard, you can more easily identify problem areas that need to be addressed. Planning your landscape drainage system before you get started will help keep you from making costly changes later. The first things to include in your plan are the size and number of plants and the amount of time you plan to spend on maintenance. These decisions will have a significant impact on the amount of water you’re going to need to move.

2. Gather the Right ToolsWhen it comes to planning your landscape drainage system, the tools are just as important as the planning itself. A good set of measuring tools will help you calculate the amount of water you’ll need to move. And a range of hoses, attachments, and sprinklers will allow you to fine-tune your system as you go.

3. Think SmallWhen it comes to sizing your landscape drainage system, think small. A well-designed and well-maintained landscape drainage system doesn’t require huge swaths of land to handle the water. Confining the flow of water to small areas of your landscape creates a sort of catch basin that will prevent your yard from flooding.

4. Consider All the ElementsWhen you start to design your landscape drainage system, think about all the elements that will impact the flow of water through your landscape. Most of the time, water flows downhill. But what if you’ve got a slope on the uphill side? How will you handle collecting the water at the top of the slope? What if your landscape is bordered by a stream or creek? Do you want to divert the water from the stream, or do you want to change the path of the water? It's essential to think about all the elements in your landscape as you plan your landscape drainage system.

5. Hire the Right ProfessionalWhen it comes to planning your landscape drainage system, you may want to consider hiring a professional. A professional landscape drainage company can help you create the system you need and will know what steps are necessary to maintain a healthy landscape. A professional landscape drainage company can help you find the perfect solution to improve water flow and drainage in your landscape.

ConclusionPlanning your landscape drainage system isn’t something you can do in a day. It takes time and careful consideration. But the time you spend planning your drainage system will save you time, money, and effort in the long run. DSLD Land Management has been serving clients for more than 35 years with our landscape design services. Our team of licensed landscape designers, architects, and drainage installation contractors in Birmingham, AL, are committed to delivering quality and value in every project. If you want to ensure you have a well-thought-out drainage plan and system in place, DSLD Land Management is the team to go to. Contact us today!