Things That Contribute to Drainage Problems in a Yard

Drainage Near the Home

• Drainage issues next to a home are often the result of poor or settled grading and the only solution is to build up the area near the house, creating a sloped grade dropping away from the building. Adding topsoil at the base of the house is not a solution, because this type of soil often settles or washes away over time, and tends to retain more moisture. You should use fill dirt for the area because it compacts more tightly, and forces excess water to flow down the slope. You can add topsoil on top of the fill dirt for planting.

Low Areas

• Low areas in a yard result from any number of issues, including erosion and settling. Because the low spots collect water from other areas, they don't drain as quickly and lead to standing water. This problem calls for a fairly simple fix that mainly entails filling the area in with soil and packing it down to create a firm surface.

Erosion

• Steep slopes cause drainage issues no matter the type of soil because the slope forces most of the water to skim the surface and run off. This causes erosion ruts that, above all else, are unsightly, but also can destabilize the slope. Combat steep slope issues by either using plants with extensive root systems that anchor the soil in place, or by adding retaining walls that hold the soil back.

Compacted Soil

• Soil that is too compact is a major drainage issue in some lawns, and is typically caused either by the type of soil or heavy objects. If you ever had large equipment or a car move across the lawn, the ground the vehicle moved across compacts more tightly, squeezing out air and allowing less water to drain through that area. Clay soils are naturally more compact, even without other factors, and often have drainage problems. If a lawn has either of these problems, the water may not drain as it should. French drain systems and dry wells are sometimes installed to route the excess water away. In other cases, you could remove a good portion of soil to a depth of several feet and replace it with a better-draining or more aerated soil. This might not be successful if the underlying soil is clay.

Landscaping Issues

• Most yards have a slight slope that runs away from the home and toward the street or other drainage. Improper landscaping can disrupt the flow of water down the slope and cause it to pool up at the base of plant beds. It is a good idea not to block the entire length of a yard with landscaping, leaving a few gaps for water to flow out. Shallow trenches around the plant beds also help contain the excess water for the plant beds to absorb over time, and if slightly sloped, can also route some of the water toward the gaps in landscaping.