Undetected drainage issues in your landscape can lead to various problems, including plant death due to soil saturation. Recognizing the problem early on is crucial for timely remediation. DN Sprinkler and Drainage highlights five warning signs to watch for, signaling that your landscape may have a drainage problem.
- Evidence of Soil Erosion: Indications of soil erosion could hint at drainage complications. Water that fails to permeate the ground leads to runoff, displacing loose soil in your yard and forming small channels on the ground.
- Excessive water may lead to cracks in the soil.
- You may discover holes in your yard.
- Your yard could start exhibiting a pockmarked appearance.
- Different levels of soil erosion can cause various damages to your landscape and structure, like altering garden beds, affecting foundations, and causing ponding.
- Displacement of Topsoil: If rain results in topsoil movement, it’s likely a drainage issue. Ideally, water should either be absorbed by the soil or have a clear drainage path. Otherwise, it washes away topsoil and mulch, causing them to accumulate in walkways, ditches, depressions, and even on drain covers, which can lead to blockages and exacerbate drainage problems.
- Wall Stains or Flaking: Drainage problems may manifest as water stains in lower regions of your exterior walls, particularly where walls meet floors and at baseboards. Exterior wall stains suggest that surface water isn’t draining and is instead infiltrating the soil around your house and foundation.
- If you see stains at the periphery of your walls, it could be due to a high water table or a storm drain backup.
- Presence of deposits or flaking on your walls calls for a professional inspection.
- Water Accumulation Beneath Gutters & Downspouts: Gutters are designed to divert water away from your foundation. However, debris and leaf-filled gutters can overflow, leading to water pooling around the foundation. This could suggest that your gutters are inadequate for your home’s needs.
- Other signs of malfunctioning gutters include mud splatters on the siding, vertical peeling of paint, and mud or dirt streaks on the gutter sides.
- Standing water beneath the gutter or downspout indicates potential leakage under your house, which could impact the foundation by eroding the soil protecting the basement concrete.
- Grass Deterioration: Grass roots can suffocate in overly saturated soil. While moisture is essential, roots also need air. Grass in poorly drained areas may die off, often turning slimy and decaying. Unlike other causes of grass death, poor drainage does not cause the grass to yellow or brown.
These are the primary symptoms of landscape drainage issues. If you notice any of these signs, reach out to the experts immediately. DN Sprinkler and Drainage offers all-encompassing drainage solutions for your landscape. To discuss further, give us a call at (210) 765-8667 or contact us through this Online Form.