How to Prevent Flooding in Your Yard

Whether flooding in your yard is due to poor drainage, improper landscaping, or heavy rainfall, standing water may accumulate that can damage the landscape and foundation of your property. Preventing flooding in your yard is crucial to help avoid potential foundation damage, peeling paint, basement flooding, and more. It is essential to resolve these issues as soon as possible to reduce and prevent further damage. 

Why is My Yard Flooding?

Inclement weather is a common reason for yard flooding. Heavy rainfall and floods can cause landslides, soil erosion, and property damage. Aside from mother nature’s influence, here are a few potential man-made reasons for flooding:

• Overwatering. If there are noticeable puddles of water with no recent rainfall, this may be due to a need to refresh your watering schedule or sprinkler system.
• Compacted Soil. Soil compaction can reduce the rate of water infiltration and drainage. This can be a result of heavy rain, parked cars, or heavy foot traffic.
• Poor Grading. Proper grading is crucial as it prevents water from seeping into your foundation.
• Poor Drainage. It is important to install a drainage system in your yard to prevent erosion and to control water flow.
• Clogged Gutters. Neglecting your gutters could lead to structural damage and improper water flow.   

Immediate Solutions for Flooded Yards

If you are anticipating flooding due to weather, the following are short-term solutions to help prevent your yard from flooding:

• Sandbags are a great option for immediate yard flood control. Before placing the sandbags around the perimeter of your yard, be sure to activate them with a garden hose to allow them to fully expand before stacking. This is especially important if you are expecting heavy rainfall or flash flooding that could wash away the deflated sandbags.
• A water pump is another quick and effective way to prevent yard flooding. Also referred to as a sump pump, a water pump can automatically detect rising water levels; it pushes water out and away from your property accordingly.

Long-Term Solutions for Flooded Yards

If you are regularly managing and treating a flooded yard, the following long-term solutions may be better suited for you and your property.

• A French drain may be a great investment for your yard. Merriam-Webster provides the following definition of a French drain: “A drain consisting of an underground passage made by filling a trench with loose stones and covering with earth.” Sometimes called a “rubble drain,” this drainage system reduces standing water, draws in water from saturated ground, and protects the foundation of the property by ultimately redirecting the flow of water.
• Proper soil grading helps prevent yard flooding if you have noticeable standing water accumulation. A properly graded yard should create a downward slope from your foundation. While this can be a large project, it may be worthwhile to help prevent water damage long-term.
• A dry well is an underground structure that captures water to allow it to filter into the ground slowly. This system allows for your walkways to be drier and prevents the overflow of your storm drains. For properties with high water tables or where French drains are not practical, dry wells are a great option.

How to Help Prevent Yard Flooding

Floods are unpredictable, but there are a few preventative measures you can take to best prepare and protect your yard. 

• Adding more greenery not only adds more cosmetic value to your yard, but it also covers exposed soil, which is more vulnerable to flooding and erosion. The addition of plants to your landscape maintains soil integrity and could assist with yard flooding prevention.
• Building a rain garden can help collect runoff rainwater and keep the soil from eroding. The National Centers for Environmental Information defines rain gardens as, “shallow, constructed depressions that are planted with deep-rooted native plants and grasses. They are strategically located to capture runoff from hard surfaces such as a driveway, parking area, sidewalk or streets. Rain gardens fill with a few inches of water after a storm and then water filters into the surrounding soil, rather than running off to the street or storm culvert.” This addition to your yard could reduce potential home flooding and remove standing water in your yard.
• Mulch is also a great option to add to your landscape. Mulch can offer many benefits, such as providing valuable nutrients for your plants, soaking up standing water, and preventing soil erosion and runoff.
• Installing a swale can also help drain your yard of excess water. Swales are broad, shallow ditches that can be lined with rocks, plants, or other natural elements to help camouflage them into the surrounding landscape.
• A dry creek bed is a landscape feature that uses rocks and stones of various sizes and is an effective draining solution. Once installed, it requires very little maintenance and prevents erosion by reducing runoff and redirecting water flow. The rocks of the dry creek bed also allow the water to gradually seep into the soil by catching any runoff.

The preventative options listed above are great ways to prepare and protect your yard from flooding. By implementing these practical yard flooding prevention strategies, you can potentially reduce the risk of property damage and inconvenience caused by excessive water accumulation.

SERVPRO^® Professionals Know Flooding

If you are ever faced with a flooding emergency, SERVPRO is Here to Help^®_. With 2260 locations in the United States and Canada, our staff is prepared to answer the phone any time of day by offering 24-hour emergency services. SERVPRO’s dedication to making water damage “Like it never even happened,” is one of many reasons we are the #1 choice in fire and water cleanup and restoration*.

SERVPRO is prepared to assist you throughout the entire water damage restoration process. Service professionals are well-equipped with the latest technologies and advanced tools to address both immediate concerns and long-term prevention. From construction services in your home, business, or other property, to water damage cleanup and restoration for your business, SERVPRO is prepared to assess and repair all types of water damage needs. Ultimately, it is crucial to help ensure every step of the process is handled with care and professionalism, providing peace of mind and restoring your property to pre-loss condition.

To learn more, visit our water damage resources.