One of the more common issues I come across as a Landscaper is drainage issues. When there's a lack of sufficient drainage in a garden you'll likely see puddles that seem to take longer to dry then they should, the appearance of bare roots or moss growing instead of grass, rotting retaining walls (especially if water is collecting behind the structure), soil built up noticeably higher than the damp course of the house, and rising damp throughout the house. This is not only an unsightly issue but it can cause serious problems structurally to your house and garden.
So what should you do?
The simple answer is: redirect the flow of water. Many times the drainage issue occurs because there is a lack of slope in the garden and this means there's no way for the water to move where it can be used throughout the garden effectively. As we've become fairly water conscious, it's a good idea to put in place a drainage plan for the garden so the plants can thrive and you're not spending money on hefty water bills.
So what's an effective drainage plan? The secret is water retention. We want to retain the water and use it for the garden instead of wasting it. Here's how to do it:
1. Install a rain water tank that's connected to the gutter down pipes of the house instead of the water wastefully flowing into a storm water pit or flowing into your garden and causing issues. A rain water tank is especially vital for us in the Blue Mountains since the threat of bush fires is fairly high; there's the option to use the collected water as a means of fire defense.
2. Any water collected on a hard surface (e.g. paved and concreted driveways and pathways) can be redirected to local plants nearby with proper installation of pit drains and agricultural lines.
3. If your property is considerably sloped, there's the option to buffer the water using mulch and ground cover that will thrive with the additional water it receives.
4. If the water is building up behind retaining walls, I recommend digging down behind the retaining wall to the footing and installing a well positioned agricultural line supported by gravel and then back filled to the top of the wall with the same gravel. For additional protection for masonry walls, I also recommend water proofing the back of the wall while you have already dug down.
It's really not a matter of if you should have a drainage plan in place, but rather a necessity and there's plenty you can do to save water whilst protecting your garden and your house.
The easiest and fasted way to put a drainage plan in place is to hire a qualified Landscape Professional who can deal with simple to complex drainage issues. It is far more cost effective to hire a professional Landscaper who can create lasting solutions than it is to fix structural issues down the track which could be not only difficult on your finances but also disastrous to your home.
No matter your drainage issues, we can find a solution.
Contact Furner Landscapes for an obligation free quote on 0438 592 025 or simply fill in the easy online form found on in the contact page of this website.
