How to Fix a Soggy Lawn

A soggy lawn is unsightly, can be devastating to lawn health, and can even send water into your basement causing damage inside the home.

But just because you have a soggy lawn now doesn’t mean you have to continue living with one! There are several solutions for soggy lawns and your local drainage expert will be able to determine which is right for you.

The following are 5 solutions for soggy lawns:

1.     Installing a French Drain

For many drainage problems, a French drain provides a successful and undetectable solution. French drains are trenches with perforated pipes covered with gravel that redirect surface water away from areas where ponding occurs.

French drains are good for surges of water during rain storms, as the water will run into the drain and then disperse into the surrounding soil slowly to allow it time to be absorbed. If the yard is collecting so much water that the ground is thoroughly saturated, another solution may be necessary, as undisturbed soil is needed to absorb the water from the drain.

2.     Regrading

A soggy lawn is most often a symptom of poor grading. A landscape professional will assess the grade of the yard and determine if creating a slope or swale (pictured) will drain water away from the house or if another method is needed.

Slopes and swales either collect the water or simply direct it away from areas where it might pond.

The ability to change the grade of the lawn depends on the size of the yard and what’s surrounding it.

3.     Burying Downspouts

Excess water up closer to the house could be caused by downspouts that are not properly angled and are allowing the water to run back towards your home. 

Extending and burying the downspouts in properly sloping trenches will direct water safely far from the foundation of your house.

4.     Digging a Dry Well or Catch Basin

If neither a French Drain nor regrading are possible, and the issue doesn’t lie with the downspout, a dry well or catch basic could be right for you.

A dry well or catch basin consists of a polymer (plastic) box inserted into a hole in the ground with a drainpipe connected to one side. Water flows into the box and then travels underground in the drainpipe to a lower point away from the problematic area, where it is absorbed into the soil. Residential dry wells are usually 9, 12, or 24 inch squares and are topped off with a grate.

5.     Installing a Dry Creek Bed

The last resort for fixing drainage issues is installing a dry creek bed with river rocks.

We consider dry creek beds a last resort because they will remain visible and they can be the most expensive solution.

Dry creek beds are appropriate when there’s not much that can be done about the water flowing into the lawn. Their purpose is to contain and direct the water, cutting down on erosion.

To create a creek bed, soil is removed in a trench like shape, lined with fabric and river rocks, and then dressed with plants to soften the edges.

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Do you have a soggy lawn? Get information on our drainage installation or arrange a free estimate with Four Brothers Tree and Landscaping. (http://www.fourbrotherstreeandlandscaping.com/drain-installation)