Poor Drainage: Impact on Your Landscape

Is there such a thing as too much water for your landscaping? When it comes to water for your yard, yes there is. Water is necessary for all life, but if it is not drained properly it can wreak havoc on your landscape. We reached out to some landscaping experts about the potential impact poor drainage could have on landscapes. Keep reading to see what they had to say.

Noah James

Noah James

Noah James from Liberty Lawn Maintenance.

Seven Ways a Poor Drainage System Impacts a Landscape

  1. Water collects and pools underneath downspouts.
  2. Large puddles of standing water are created.
  3. Overgrown patches of grass form because it’s too wet to cut them down.
  4. Soggy areas form in the yard.
  5. Soil erosion can occur.
  6. Water stains can form on the foundation of the property.
  7. Wet soil conditions can lead to lawn disease and other issues with the grass.

Bryan Clayton

Bryan Clayton

Bryan Clayton, CEO of GreenPal the Uber for Lawn Care.

Five Problems Poor Drainage Causes

Drainage issues are hard to fix and are often neglected, but like many things in life, not getting out in front of your drainage issues could cause you more problems later. Information with some yard drainage tips and tricks could come in handy. Some of the problems caused by poor drainage in your landscaping are as follows:

  • Plants will die because of poor drainage. Many plants can’t survive with a soggy route system for much longer than a few days.
  • Foundation and structural issues with your home will arise.
  • Shorted wiring circuitry may occur with your landscape wiring for your landscape lighting.
  • Ruts in your turf may develop from when your lawnmower goes through the yard when it is too wet.
  • Short circuitry with your sprinkler system may happen because of the cabling sitting underwater too long.

These are just a few problems that poor drainage can cause in your lawn and landscape.

Ronnie Collins

Ronnie Collins

Ronnie Collins, Independent Contractor, Blogger, and Owner of Electro Garden Tools.

Poor Drainage can Lead to Overwatering

In terms of landscaping, poor drainage is usually the number one reason for overwatering. If you overwater your lawn and plants regularly, be ready for root rot, fungus thriving, and lots of dead plants. Besides, drainage issues can lead to soil oversaturation, aeration problems, and significant surface runoff.

If there are any structures around, poor drainage can lead to structural damage, including basement water stains, material deterioration, mold growth, and concrete and asphalt destruction. If your basement is being flooded because of poor drainage, find a team that specializes in Naperville flooded basement service.

Lindsey Hyland

Lindsey Hyland

Lindsey Hyland is a gardening expert and founder of Urban Organic Yield.

Drainage Problems are Just the Beginning

If you have a poor drainage system, it will impact your landscape in many ways. For one, water will not be able to properly flow off of your property, which can lead to serious erosion problems. Additionally, standing water will create a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests, and can also cause damage to your plants and landscaping. If you are having problems with drainage on your property, be sure to call a professional to help correct the issue.

Volodymyr Barabakh

Volodymyr Barabakh

Volodymyr Barabakh, Co-Founder and Project Director at Structural Beam.

Stay on Top of Drainage Issues

A poor drainage system can have disastrous effects on landscapes. Undrained water will soak into the soil which will become sodden and expand. In colder months, this water could freeze and further expand, which might lead to cracks in foundations and pathways.

The excess water allowed to sit on soil could also result in rot, and when this water attracts insects and wildlife you could be left with a nasty pest problem. Keeping gutters clear and ensuring drainage systems are in place downstream of flooding will help you keep on top of these issues so you won’t be faced with more costly issues down the line.

Zac Houghton

Zac Houghton

Zac Houghton, CEO at Loftera.

Aerate to Avoid Drainage Problems

Waterlogged and saturated soils severely affect plant growth due to poor soil drainage. Roots in saturated soils are less likely to get oxygen, and they are less able to absorb water.

Once the water is removed, air fills the space it previously occupied. It also improves the health of plant roots as a result of this natural aeration. An excess of surface runoff could result from poor drainage, causing soils to become oversaturated.

Soil aeration helps ensure proper drainage, which is crucial to the growth of crops. Water standing or in excess can choke plants and prevent their growth. By reducing runoff and soil erosion, drainage reduces soil loss and nutrient loss.

Water is directed away from your foundation and landscape by a good drainage system. Your yard won’t have too much excess water at the end of this. Soil erosion will be eliminated as a result. It is possible to flood your yard without a proper drainage system. If this is the case, you should seek a team for flooded yard repair in Naperville.

Diarmuid Hennessey

Diarmuid Hennessey, Operations Manager at HomeCheck.ie.

Pooling Water can Breed Plant Disease and Viruses

Poor drainage can have seriously adverse effects on the surrounding areas. For example, when it rains, do you notice puddles popping up in parts of your yard? This happens in a lot of gardens, and a significant majority of individuals tend to ignore this pooling of water. It’s deemed a minor inconvenience and cosmetic issue when there’s particularly heavy rainfall. However, it can lead to much larger issues. Poor drainage can lead to the formation of puddles, which are breeding grounds for plant disease and unhelpful viruses.

When your garden and soil cannot effectively absorb water, you’re just wasting water. This is an inefficient watering practice. By not properly altering your drainage rate, you will inevitably have to water your plants and lawn more, which can rack up bills. The cost will get higher if you don’t resolve yard drainage problems before winter.

The pools of water that form can drown the plants that surround it. Most plants regularly ingest fresh water and the nutrients that come with it from the soil. When this soil is oversaturated for prolonged periods, they can become waterlogged and drown to a sufficient lack of oxygen.

You’ve also got to remember that wildlife and insects are attracted to water. Standing water is considered a health and safety issue as insects that carry disease tend to use these pools to breed. When these pools form near a home, they can begin to damage the property, allowing the insects easy access into your home alongside mold and rot.

This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors are not necessarily affiliated with this website and their statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.