Top 5 Signs you have Drainage Issues
An entirely too common problem that occurs in landscapes is poor drainage. If you have not experienced it personally, you’re lucky. But you’ve probably also seen evidence of it, particularly after a storm or even just regular watering.
One of the #1 killers of landscape plants is drainage problems. Plants will die in soil that’s too saturated with water. They actually have a better chance of surviving drought conditions than overwatering. Not only can poor drainage kill your plants, it also provides a breeding ground for insects, produces mold and other organic allergens, and can cause major structural damage to your home if left unchecked.
Most drainage issues are the result of poor grading, poor soil balance (you want a 50/50 ratio of air to moisture), or a high water table. The first step to solving any drainage issue is recognizing that there’s a problem to begin with.
Do you ever experience any of the following in your yard or around your house?
- Surface Puddling/Ponding
Water stays on the surface, draining very slowly. This can be from soil that is compact or heavy (such as clay), and therefore can’t absorb much water. It can also be indicative of a high water table, which is when groundwater is close enough to the surface to seep through the top soil. - Discolored Soil
When soil has high water content it inversely has low oxygen levels. More often than not, it will appear bluish-grey in appearance. Higher oxidation produces warmer-colored soils. - Dying/Dead Vegetation
Plant roots in over-saturated soil will die from lack of oxygen in the soil. It only takes a few days for a water-logged plant to start dying. - Foul Odors
Smelly soil indicates that it has become highly organic and that it is being worked on by what are called anaerobic bacteria—these are bacteria that grow in places with little or no oxygen. The odors is the scent that they emit. - Soil Erosion
If water doesn’t soak into the ground it can cause runoff, which will pull loose soil across your yards as it travels along its path. It might appear as a multitude of small channels at ground level.
Many drainage problems exist because of a lack of understanding of the landscape. Suncrest Landscape, Inc. has over 15 years of experience handling drainage problems in the Greater Sacramento region. We are very familiar with the various local soils and can help to identify and discover a solution to your drainage problem.
From inadequate grading to poor soil composition, Suncrest is your go-to for drainage solutions. By building a complete picture of your landscape, we can determine the best, most cost-effective solution for meeting your drainage needs. In the long run, it’s much less costly to correct drainage issues in the beginning before they become an even larger problem for you and your family. Contact Suncrest and let us help fix your drainage problems.