The family-friendly Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Illinois has all the amenities you need but also the space that you crave. When the daily grind wears you down, coming home to decompress is priceless. However, if you pull up to a yard full of swampy, muddy water, you may not feel as relaxed as you’d like.
When weather extremes wreak havoc on your property, you may notice that standing water has become a persistent issue. We’ve been Oak Brook yard drainage experts for over a decade now, so we know how to handle the rain, sleet, snow, and slush that may be creating issues on your lawn.
We have been honored to serve the greater Chicago area since we opened our doors in 2000. We love working with our clients to design premier landscapes, build patios, retaining walls, and even install holiday lighting. But the foundation for all of that is a good drainage system. If you don’t have that in place, your plans will be undermined.
It’s a pretty alarming statistic, but the fact is that 85% of home repair expenses are the result of water damage. And drainage problems are extremely common in northeastern Illinois, where we get an average of 37” of snow and 37” of rainfall annually.
A water-logged lawn not only cuts into the enjoyment of your outdoor areas, but it can also have a negative impact on the value of your property.
And from a health and safety standpoint, the danger is no joke. Leaky gutters and drainage issues can lead to water seeping into your foundation, your crawl space, and basement, causing massive damage to your home and your family.
Ware landscaping is proud to offer local homeowners and businesses peace of mind by providing the best professional Oak Brook drainage solutions available.
6 Signs Your Yard Has a Drainage Problem
There are several signs that may indicate your yard has a drainage problem, including:
Standing water: If you notice standing water in your yard, even after a light rain, it may be a sign that there is a drainage issue.
Soggy soil: If the soil in your yard remains saturated and does not dry out, it could be a sign of poor drainage.
Flooding in specific areas: If you notice that water tends to pool in certain areas of your yard after rain, it may indicate a drainage problem in that specific location.
Foundation damage: If your home’s foundation is starting to crack or shift, it may be a sign that water is not properly draining away from the foundation.
Mildew or mold growth: If you notice mold or mildew growing in your yard, it is a sign of excess moisture due to poor drainage.
Landscape erosion: Improper drainage can cause water to erode parts of your yard, washing away soil.
FAQ
Why is drainage important for landscaping?
Poor drainage can cause water to pool in low-lying areas of the yard, which can result in soil erosion and the loss of fertile topsoil.
How do I know if I have a drainage problem in my yard?
There are several telltale signs that you have a drainage problem in your yard, including a damp crawl space or basement, struggling or dying plants, and pools or puddles of water in lower-lying areas on your property.
How do I fix my lawn drainage problem?
There are some DIY solutions, but having a professional lawn drainage specialist in Oak Brook diagnose and correct yard drainage issues will save you money in the long run.
Who installs drainage around houses?
The installation of drainage around houses is typically performed by a professional contractor who specializes in land grading and excavation, or in landscape design and construction. The drainage experts at Ware Landscaping have over a decade’s experience assessing drainage issues and installing systems to ensure your lawn stays healthy year-round.
Drainage Solutions Ware Landscaping Provides
French drains: A French drain is a trench filled with gravel or rock that redirects water away from low-lying areas in the yard.
Dry wells: A dry well is an underground structure that collects and disperses water. It is a good solution for areas that have poor soil permeability and high water tables.
Rain gardens: Rain gardens are shallow depressions that are planted with water-loving plants. They can be used to capture and filter runoff from roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces.
Sump pumps: A sump pump is a pump that is installed in a basement or low-lying area to pump out water. They are a good solution for homes that are prone to flooding.
Grading and re-landscaping: Sometimes, simply regrading the yard and re-landscaping with plants and mulch can help to improve drainage.
What is the solution for drainage problems?
A common solution for drainage problems is to direct rainwater to a low point in your yard, allowing it to flow away from the house naturally over rocks in a dry creek bed. During heavy storms, a catch basin can be used to capture debris that is washed away by excess water, helping to prevent blockages and maintain proper drainage. This method effectively manages water runoff and reduces the risk of flooding around your home.
The Chicagoland weather seems to deliver one punch after the other, and the enormous amounts of snow and rainfall we receive every year can wreak havoc on yards in Oak Brook.
In our extensive experience, we have seen over and over that when it comes to landscapes, beauty definitely comes from within! When a proper drainage system is in place on your property, plants will thrive, flowers will grow, and pests — such as hordes of unwanted mosquitoes — will stay away.
Why wait to get the most out of your outdoor space? Let Ware create an environment that you can’t wait to invite friends and family into. Whether it’s a complete overhaul, or just some simple fixes, we can work within your budget to resolve any standing water issues and make your lawn healthy and inviting.
Ware Landscaping is here to help!
If the drainage on your Oak Brook property is less than ideal, reach out to the pros at Ware Landscaping.
Please see our portfolio page for projects we’ve completed for happy customers in our area. We’d love to earn your trust, so please call us for a free assessment of your property’s drainage needs and our recommendations about how to keep your yard and foundation safe and dry.
Act now. Drainage problems need to be dealt with swiftly and effectively to avoid long-term damage. Call the Oak Brook landscaping and drainage experts at Ware Landscaping today at(630) 557-8170.
“I contacted Mike at Ware Landscaping for help with fixing my flooded backyard and garage. Mike gave me an honest assessment of my situation and recommended the right system to fix my problems (a lot of issues). Ware Landscaping installed drainage, underground downspouts, underground sump pump lines, driveway drains and surface drains in the yard to fix all my problems.. The team was very professional and always asked for my approval on work being done before it was completed. They did a great job and we are very pleased!”
Jim Kristof
I recommend him without any hesitation.
“We had a water problem in our basement that Mike Ware completely eliminated by removing both our sump pump water and downspout water away from the home. He was professional and highly motivated to solve the problem and do it the right way. I always felt like a priority and that my project mattered. I recommend him without any hesitation.”
Michael Swider
FANTASTIC JOB!!!
Ware Landscaping did a FANTASTIC JOB!!! I needed my entire backyard regraded and they filled it in with more than 2 truck loads, installed a French drain and put new beautiful green sod on top. They also power washed and reset my front retaining wall. Communication from the beginning was always very good. We always knew when they were coming out. The project was completed on time as well. They also called on their own a month after the project to check on the sod and were willing to replace some spots due to the June heat wave. Would recommend Ware Landscaping to all!!!”
Dan Malloy
The entire crew were incredible, so friendly, knowledgeable, and paid attention to every detail.
“Mike, Greg and the rest of the crew made our back yard dream a reality with a drainage system to remove the stream that flowed through the middle of the yard, which flooded every rainstorm and stuck around for weeks. To complete the look in came a perfectly designed beautiful hardscape patio that we can’t wait to use this summer. The entire crew were incredible, so friendly, knowledgeable, and paid attention to every detail. Highly recommend!”
Katie Jankowski
The crew was fast, friendly, and tidy.
“We had a wooden deck for a front porch that was starting to age. When we removed it we saw that there was a concrete slab underneath it that was pitched toward our house, creating an issue with standing water up against our foundation. We had Mike come by to advise us on the best solution, and he suggested permeable pavers. We were able to come up with a custom design with him that day. The crew was fast, friendly, and tidy. I’m sure they do much bigger jobs than our little patio, but this project made a huge difference for our home.
