How To Use Landscaping To Limit Exterior Home Flooding

6/19/2022 (Permalink)

A rain garden collects water during heavy downpours.

How To Use Landscaping To Prevent Flooding Outside Your Home

Severe rainfall has increased throughout America in recent decades. Climate change likely will only make the problem worse. While rain storm restoration professionals can assist you after a weather disaster, you should also take steps to limit the inside and outside flooding of your property.
Exterior flooding can be particularly damaging. Luckily, you can reduce the effects of runoff and soil erosion by making a few simple changes to your landscape.

1. Plant a Rain Garden
A rain garden collects water during heavy downpours. The water then slowly absorbs back into the soil. Create your garden with native plants that require minimal maintenance. The edge of the garden typically drains the most quickly, so the center should be reserved for plants that can best handle wet soil.

2. Get a Downspout Diverter
Improper drainage is a common cause of outside flooding. A downspout diverter, however, can move water away from your property's walls.

3. Use Swales for Rain Drainage
A swale is a landscape depression that redirects the flow of water. However, swales do not actually stop the water. You thus need to make sure the water is directed to a safe location, such as a dry well. Do not have the swale drain right off your property, or you could face increased utility charges.

4. Utilize Heavy Mulch
A rainstorm can easily displace light mulch chips. These chips can then clog drains and make flood cleanup more difficult. Opt instead for heavier, hardwood mulches that remain in place during severe weather events.

5. Go Green
Green roofs are becoming common and affordable. Besides reducing stormwater runoff, they also improve the insulation of homes. This could save you money on your cooling and heating bills.
Outside flooding can destroy the gorgeous backyard of your Edmond, OK, home. You cannot prevent the severe rainstorms that bring this excess water. However, you can and should adjust your landscape to limit the effects of these storms.