Poor drainage means that water in an area leaves the soil so slowly that it stays saturated for at least a week even when it doesn’t rain. The grass can be green and lush, but beneath it, the soil is soggy. This probably means that the grass is the type that likes its feet wet, such as Bermuda grass or types of fescue. Other plants would not do so well in soil that’s constantly wet. Indeed, your hardscaping and even your commercial space can be damaged by poor drainage. Here is how.
What Poor Drainage Does to Plants
The roots of plants that like their soil well-drained rot in poorly draining soil. Because the roots can’t send nutrients to the plant, leaves yellow and wither, and eventually the plant dies. Ironically, wet soil becomes compacted, and compacted soil lacks air and the oxygen it carries. This can also weaken plants. Even tough grasses can be attacked by fungi and other pathogens that are supported by badly draining soil, and standing puddles are perfect breeding areas for mosquitoes. Plant-eating snails and slugs also love the excess moisture.
How Poor Drainage Affects the Rest of Your Property
Waterlogged soil can cause the concrete in paths, driveways and driveway aprons to heave and crack by causing the soil beneath them to erode. The same action can cause pavers to pop out and become uneven. Sodden soil also stains concrete and stone.
Even the foundation of your building can be affected by poorly draining soil. It can cause cracks in the walls and cause the foundation to shift and eventually weaken. You’ll even be able to see this indoors in the form of sticky windows and doors and floors that are no longer level. The excess water in the soil can also seep into your basement and damage electrical wires, furniture, carpeting and other items. Poorly draining soil can even make the rest of the building uncomfortably humid. It encourages the growth of mold.
What You Can Do
One of the most effective ways to treat poor drainage is to have a professional landscaper install French drains. These are just perforated pipes buried in beds of gravel. French drains take water away from your yard. Other things that can help with drainage are correctly grading and contouring your property, installing permeable materials for your hardscaping, and aerating and amending the soil.
Call Us for Help With Poor Drainage
A landscape whose soil is continually sodden is not good for most of your plants and not even good for your hardscape. For solutions to poor drainage and other commercial landscaping issues in Zachary, LA, get in touch with our professionals at SRP Landscaping.
