Creating an Effective Landscape Drainage System

We all know how important having an effective landscape drainage system is when it comes to landscaping. This is because there is an imminent need to funnel out the excess water that remains in your plants and flowers. This excess water can leave your garden soaked and wet. If your flowerbed is positioned near a wall, this inevitably causes the water to seep right into the foundation of that wall. Water then gets right into your lawn, ultimately damaging it.

Two common classifications can be used for your landscape drainage systems – surface and underground. With surface drainage, water from the pipes are first pooled and then channeled away from the structure of your house. Water that is left in the low areas of your lawn, elevated garden beds, window wells, and paths is also pooled. As for paved areas, it would be better to make use of a channel drain and a long-grated trough.

Interestingly, the term surface drainage is not really appropriate to use because there are pipes laid underground for this type of drainage. Still, this could be attributed to the fact that the digging needed here is just minor, just so the water can be properly drained off.

For your garden bed, you can use the special type of grates that are solid so that mulch would not find its way into your catchment basin. A flat grate should be used so that it would not become stuck on the blades of your mower, especially when you are considering having a catch basin on your lawn.

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Subsurface drainage, on the other hand, can seep water that comes underground. The trenches should then be well dug in the areas that are in desperate need of draining. Pea gravel, woven landscape materials, and a perforated pipe can be used to fill this in general. Make sure you situate your trench right at the slope’s foot. You can also situate it by a wall where the water would be coming from. By doing this, you can direct the water into your main pipe drainage.

After checking the level of your slope and digging the trench, you can then line the trench with the use of landscape fabric. A perforated pipe can then be placed on top of the landscape fabric so that gravel and crushed rock will backfill your trench. Make sure to wrap extra fabric round your gravel so that the soil would not block pipe holes in the long run. When you are done, you can then replace your topsoil.

For boggy lawns that have moist and clayish soil, there is a need to install a lot of pipes, to ensure adequate drainage. The French Drain type is better here when dealing with swampy lawn soil.

Take a look at these articles on Landscaping your garden or yard:

Return home from Landscape Drainage Systems
The Benefits of Landscaping your yard
Landscaping Ideas
Landscaping Your Garden or Yard
Planning Pathways
A Simple Guide to Outdoor Landscaping
Common Landscaping Mistakes
Low Maintenance Landscaping
Trees and Shrubs
Walls & Fences
When To Seek Professional Landscaping Help