Signs of a Drainage Problem

May is a great month, full of warm weather, longer days, and the promise of summer. However, with the abundance of rainy Spring weather, it’s also a month when you may discover that you have an outdoor landscape drainage problem. Here are a few key signs to look out for to determine if your home’s landscape is suffering from drainage issues.

1. Standing Water

The most obvious indicator of a possible drainage problem is nuisance water, also referred to as standing water. These spots may take different forms such as areas of grass that are either greener or yellow (most common) compared to surrounding grass, muddy areas that never dry up, or puddles. While these indicators can suggest a drainage issue, the same visible signs may also indicate a sprinkler leak. Either way, you should definitely call the professionals at Andy’s to come and determine the exact cause of the issue.

2. Soil Erosion

Another sign of a possible drainage problem is soil erosion. This occurs when water is continuously flowing over the same area repeatedly forming what can only be described as a tiny riverbed. This is especially common in areas with warmer climates that also tend to get sudden, intense rainstorms. Dry soil can only absorb so much water in a given time period (typically 10-15 minutes), leaving the rest of the rainwater with nowhere to go and causing soil erosion or standing water.

3. Poor Plant Health

Are you starting to see your plants becoming more yellow than green? Poor plant health is another possible indicator that you could have a drainage problem. Excess water puts stress on plants and can ultimately kill them the same way a lack of water would. The difference is that an overwatered plant will appear off-color and more “diseased” rather than the drying out and browning that a lack of water would cause.

Sometimes identifying standing water around bushes and shrubs can be difficult since the base and roots are covered by plant growth, so also keep an eye out for mulch that appears to be moved and piled up in weird places or exposed roots that seem out of place. If the cause of the excess water is indeed a drainage issue, the experts at Andy’s are ready to provide you with an estimate for an outdoor drainage solution.

So, if you start noticing any of these signs – nuisance or standing water, soil erosion, or poor plant health – Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage & Lighting should be your next phone call! Call today and schedule an appointment for a drainage solution estimate with Andy’s Sprinkler, Drainage & Lighting.