» Drainage and Dry Wells

Does your lawn remind you in a damp season of a great swamp that you can just envision gators coming out of?

If it does then its probably time to do something to fix the issue.

Swampy yards can do more than mess up the landscape, but may in fact contribute to far more problems, such as swollen doors, wet basements and other home owners ills.

Many lawns and gardens are problem areas, where drainage hasn’t been an issue prior to now, or if it has, it hasn’t been properly addressed because large scale drainage systems that carry the water away from your yard are also quite expensive and take professional help to accomplish.

While these are the idea solution, there are some do it yourself ways to address the problem with a few simple remedies that won’t cost you your next born child.

WHERE TO DRAIN?

Take some time to observe your yard, and find the areas where the rain will collect after a rain. Mark the sites with stakes and then determine the best way to accomplish the drainage.

If you have no stream or pond on your property, see if its possible to link to a storm drain in yoru area by checking with your local authorities.

If is it not feasible, then the next course of action for you, will probably be a dry well.

DIRECT DRAINAGE TRENCH

You will want to direct the drainage from the boggy areas, to the lowest area on your property. Dig a trench for each boggy part, that is 2 to 3 feet deep and fill the bottom of the trench with a layer of more coarse gravel. Lay in a four inch perforated plastic pipe and then cover with more gravel.

If the boggy area in your yard is fairly small, less than 25×25 feet, probably one line of pipe is going to be sufficient. If it is a good bit larger then more than one pipe line will be necessary.

NO OUTLET IN SIGHT??

Direct the pipes to a dry well, that you have situated at the lowest part of your area that needs drainage. The well will hold enough of the runoff until the water accumulating into it can seep gradually into the ground and be absorbed by the water table.

Do accomplish a dry well.. check with authorities to make sure that you are permitted to have a dry well in your area,.. then, dig a hold that is about 4 feet deep and at least 4 feet across.. fill it two thirds full with stones, top that with coarse gravel layers and top the whole thing with topsoil. The trench pipes should be aimed at this, run down to the drywell.

Keep the drains that you place well away from invasive root trees such as elm, willow and poplar which will grow to obstruct the pipes as they grow upward and outward.

PLEASE NOTE:

Dry wells are often regulated by local codes and some municipalities will give you a sketch of what is required in your area. Always check before you dig.