4 Benefits of Adding Drainage to a Landscape in Somers and Croton, NY

Drainage systems are extremely important to the beauty, function, and safety of your landscape, but they are often neglected. They divert water away from your home, driveway, and landscaping and into an area where water won’t cause any damage, such as the municipal storm drain system or a catchment pond. If you’ve had any problems with water in the past, here are 4 benefits of adding drainage to a landscape in Somers and Croton, NY.

Some landscapes need a more involved drainage system than others. This depends on the types of problems, and how many problem areas there are. For example, you may have a landscape that is sloped toward the house; or your plant beds become seasonal streams in the spring as snow melts; or your driveway gets covered by a slurry of mud and debris after a heavy rain.

Because there are so many different types of drainage systems - and so many different types of drainage problems - you’ll want to consult with a landscaping professional who can advise you whether you need a French drain or other types of drainage. But first, why do you need one in the first place?

1. Drainage Systems Prevent Erosion

Every time it rains, some soil is displaced from the landscaping and carried by the force of water to other areas. Soil erosion can happen very slowly, but it will happen. You need drainage systems and potentially a retaining wall to stop the inevitable downslope flow of surface water as well as moisture-laden soil.

2. Drainage Systems Prevent Standing and Stagnant Water

If any part of your landscape becomes a seasonal pond, you’re guaranteed an abundance of the bane of everyone’s summer existence: mosquitoes. These depressions where water collects also quickly become stagnant when the soil around them is too saturated to allow for proper drainage. This leads to growth of mold and slime which smells awful and creates a health hazard for sensitive individuals. Any vegetation in these low-lying areas will drown. And if you have a dog, you know that this mud pit is irresistible to our furry friends. Standing water can be prevented by encouraging surface water to keep moving, or to drain into underground systems.

3. Drainage Systems Prevent Water Damage To Your Home and Other Structures

Drainage problems don’t just affect your landscaping. Water can do serious damage to your home’s foundation - as well as the foundation of any other structures such as a barn, shed, patio, or driveway. It actually doesn’t matter whether water is moving quickly and taking a lot of soil with it, such as after a heavy storm, or if it’s standing and slowly seeping into cracks where the freeze-thaw cycle wreaks havoc on solid surfaces. Both fast-moving and slow-moving water can force its way into your home’s foundation - and then you’re in for ongoing and expensive repairs. Termites are also attracted to wet wood. Any water present in a basement could cause condensation damage to the framing of your home, inviting termites in.

4. Drainage Systems Prevent Mold

Mold can be a serious health hazard, and much of the problem is due to water infiltration into a home’s basement or crawl space.

If your home or landscape has any damage caused by water, it’s important to ensure that drainage problems are solved before relatively small annoyances become big, expensive problems.