How to Improve Drainage in Your Lawn

Keeping your lawn looking and functioning properly is important to you. That’s why any sign of a drainage problem can become a nagging worry. If you’re noticing water pooling in certain areas of your commercial lawn, or that your lawn is constantly soggy and swamp-like, you might be feeling frustrated. 

Poor drainage can easily make the lawn unusable. But sometimes it can be more than a hassle—it can cause damage or create runoff problems that cause more serious issues. It can be the type of problem that you need addressed swiftly.

In this article, we’re talking about how to improve drainage in your commercial lawn so that you can get back to using it to the fullest without the headaches or the worries.

A Proper Diagnosis

First and foremost, you need to get to the bottom of what’s causing your drainage troubles. Sometimes this is obvious. For instance, if you have a leaky irrigation system that needs repairs, the trouble might be easy to spot. 

But drainage concerns are not always so overt.

Actually, there are a number of factors that can lead to water pooling on a property. In addition to irrigation system malfunctions, some of the most common reasons for drainage problems relate back to the property’s slope or pitch, soil compaction, or stormwater runoff. Hardscaping can sometimes create unexpected drainage issues on a property if runoff isn’t considered at the time of construction.

Implementing Solutions

Once it’s determined what is causing your drainage woes, a landscape professional can get to work on addressing the problem. There are a number of ways to prevent standing water from pooling on your property.

For instance, if it’s an issue with the way that a landscape slopes, then regrading can be performed in a way that ensures water is directed to drain away from structures and in an acceptable direction. There are often certain plants that can be added to help capture that water and allow it to naturally drain into the soil rather than become runoff on hardscaping. 

Sometimes properties need a more intense drainage solution which not only include regarding but also the digging of trenches which allow water to be directed away from high erosion areas. If your drainage problems could cause potential damage, it might be worth mitigating that risk with an effective drainage solution.

Of course, if it’s the soil itself that’s the problem—or at least part of the problem—then you might need to consider a solution to your soil compaction problem. When soil is compacted, it can make it difficult for water to percolate into the soil and down to the root zone where it’s needed for your grass to grow and thrive. 

The best solution to a soil compaction problem is lawn aeration. This is the process of making small holes throughout the turf by pulling out soil cores throughout the lawn. This not only allows water to penetrate into the soil but also oxygen and nutrients—all of which are needed for healthy grass growth.

What’s Right for Your Property?

At the end of the day, the solution that is best for your commercial property is going to be a highly individualized decision. The best course of action is to consult with a professional and determine what can be done for your particular site. Sometimes the answer is simple. But there are times when a complex drainage solution needs to be integrated into your landscape plans if you’re going to protect your property from potential damage.

At Carruthers Landscape Management, we can work with you on your specific property needs and devise a solution that works best for you. You deserve the peace of mind that you aren’t going to have water woes down the road because of an unaddressed issue.