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It can be mildly annoying at the very least and incredibly frustrating at worst when wet spots or puddles keep appearing in your yard. To fix the problem, though, you need to understand why it happens in the first place. In this article, we’ll go over some of the reasons you might see standing water around your home and what to do about it.
These wet spots might seem only slightly problematic, but homeowners who’ve experienced them know what a chore it is to work around them. People file into your house with wet or muddy shoes (especially the kids), you have to mow around the water spots on the lawn, and these puddles of standing water can even potentially damage the structural integrity of your house. Drainage services are important for any home or business owner.
What Causes Standing Water?
It can be annoying when these puddles of water pop up around your lawn, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other unsavory problems. You might be wondering what causes this issue, especially if you encounter it often. You might be surprised to find out that the solution could lie in the type of soil on which you live.
One of the most common causes of standing water is poorly draining soil. Sandy and loamy soil tend to drain better than soil heavy in clay. Clay-heavy soils trap moisture, while the other soil types are more likely to strain it.
Another possible reason for these wet spots on your lawn could be lawn thatch and compaction. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, lawn thatch is the layer of dead foliage between the roots and the healthy green grass that makes up your lawn. Usually, this is nothing to worry about, but it might become a problem if it gets to a length of one inch or longer because, just like different types of soil, this lawn thatch can also become a barrier to draining water.
Health Risks of Standing Water
In addition to being an annoying and frustrating problem, wet spots on your lawn can also be hazardous to your health. It’s best not to leave these low spots alone once you notice them. The only way to get rid of them is to take action. The solutions could be vastly different depending on your yard and the type of soil that makes it up. Here are some of how this water can be dangerous to people’s health:
Mosquitoes
Standing water attracts mosquitoes, especially in the summer months. They breed in the water, and these bugs can carry diseases like Malaria, Zika, and the West Nile virus. While this might not be a huge issue in the United States, it’s still a cause for concern. Plus, mosquitoes are just all-around pesky.
Algae and Mold
Standing water can also promote algae and mold growth, both of which can be toxic to humans and animals.
Rodents
These low spots might attract rodents like rats and possums and thus, turn into watering holes or nesting holes. Rodents can transmit diseases through waste.
Yard Drainage Solutions
What can you do about pesky wet spots popping up around your lawn? Well, lucky for you, there are many different ways to combat this predicament. Here are some for you to consider.
When the water is very close to your house, you’ll want to alleviate the problem as soon as possible. Sometimes, landscaping close to the house can create the potential for standing water under downspouts. If left unattended, these wet spots could cause leaking and damage to your home’s foundation. The fix for this issue is to extend the downspout to the grass, past the soil around your house.
Another solution for draining water from a low spot would be to install an underground pipe to drain water from these areas. You could also do a slightly more complicated version of this with a french drain. A french drain disperses the extra water into the surrounding area in the ground. Another option is to install a dry well. Essentially, a dry well catches excess water and holds it as it soaks into the ground.
If more straightforward solutions like the ones above don’t work, consider the elevation of your property. What are the high and low points on your lawn? How does water travel in your yard? Make these observations and draw up a drainage plan. If your issue with standing water is especially dire and can’t be solved by these other methods, you can consider installing a creek bed or a rain garden. Both of these move the water away from your house while also creating an aesthetically pleasing look to your lawn.
Lawn Drainage
For the safety and wellbeing of yourself and any guests who might come to visit, you want to try to get rid of standing water in your yard as soon as possible. The tips and tricks we’ve provided in this article should help you deal with these issues. However, if you have any other questions about low spots or other landscaping issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Arbeen Landscaping.
We’re a landscaping company located in the west suburbs of Chicago that first started out mowing lawns in high school. Our goal as a company is to achieve thoroughness and great accuracy when it comes to landscaping. Communication between our own employees as well as between us and our customers helps us accomplish these goals.
If you live in the Chicago area and are struggling with low spots or standing water on your lawn, give us a call or message us on our website. We’re always happy to help, and we take pride in our work. While working with us, you’ll never have to worry about the quality of our work. What are you waiting for? Contact us to start your consultation today.
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