How to Prevent Spring Flooding

Warmer temps are almost here – which means lots of melting snow! Every home and yard is different – some pose a bigger risk to your home’s foundation and basement based on how well water drains. If your yard tends to look and feel like a swamp after rain or melting snow, you probably have a drainage problem. With nowhere else to go, water could end up in your basement or foundation, causing costly problems down the road. There are a few ways to mitigate your home’s flood risk:

1. Drain tile is a great way to prevent this from happening!

First of all, what exactly IS drain tile? Surprisingly, it doesn’t actually consist of any tile. It is a pipe with holes surrounded by rocks. The holes or perforations allow water to soak in, while the rocks keep the pipe from being crushed from above. This pulls the water away from your home and allows it to drain safely.

There are both interior and exterior drain tile systems available, depending on your home’s unique needs and characteristics. If you would like more information on drain tile and what your home needs to function at it’s best, we’d love to hear from you!

2. Plant a rain garden to help curb erosion. Rain gardens are beneficial because they collect rainwater as well as water from gutters and downspouts – this creates a runoff, pushing the water away from your home. Rainwater can then slowly absorb into the soil without posing a risk to your home.

3. Shrubs, ferns, and small native trees also prevent soil erosion as they allow rainwater to drain and absorb – check your local nursery.

4. Adding mulch to your garden can also keep water from flowing toward your home. Adding a few inches of mulch will keep soil in place while also holding in rainwater – keeping it away from your basement.

Concerns about your yard this spring? Reach out and we’d love to give you some landscaping recommendations!