A flooded yard is an unexpected occurrence, and most likely something you would prefer not to worry about until you absolutely have to. But once it happens, you will more likely than not never want to deal with it again. Flooded yards can get incredibly muddy and difficult to navigate. They also bring mosquitos and other pests, mold, and other undesirable microbes. Fortunately, there are a number of options for dealing with flooded yards safely and hygienically.
Find the Source of the Flooding
This will likely be the first thing you want to do. Before you start investigating, think about what could have changed or happened recently to cause the flooding. What’s happened to your property to cause it to take on enough water to cause problems? Was there a recent heavy storm, earthquake, or work done on your property? Did something happen to your pipes?
If you can’t think of a specific reason, oftentimes, the best place to start looking for clues if your roof. If the gutters are blocked, they could be the culprit. Make sure to unclog the gutters at least once or twice a year, either in spring or in autumn. Keep another eye on the downspout. Making sure it’s at least one yard long can help ensure that any water it captures will be aimed away from the foundation of your home, as that can cause problems you absolutely do not want to tangle with.
Drain All the Water You Can
Your next task will be to drain whatever water you can from the yard. Rather than grab a bucket and start hauling it off, you are better off enlisting the help of an industrial liquid vacuum truck. These are available at construction equipment yards and at major hardware stores and can be rented for as long as you need. They can be towed or driven. This piece of equipment will suck up all the water in your yard into a large tank and will be helpful in clearing room for you to assess the issue and work.
No matter how large the job, liquid vacuum trucks come in all sizes and capacities, so don’t worry about not finding a suitable tank for your yard. A vacuum truck will haul away more than just water, including debris, mud, and other things that may have been collected during your flood.
Restructure the Entire Yard
Also known as regrading, you can change your whole landscape to become more flood-resistant. If your yard has a decline that slopes towards your home, enough rainwater or snow melt will invariably lead to flooding. That’s why regarding the yard to push the slope in a safer direction can be a useful measure to protect your yard.
Keep in mind that you will most likely need more dirt to fill and reroute a slope, as well as additional sod and construction materials and equipment. This type of project can be DIY or done professionally depending on the skills, tools, and funds you have available.
Planting Grass Can Help
The roots from grass pull water out of the soil, reducing the toll that flooding will take on your yard. Don’t cut the grass too short after you’ve planted it though, as doing so can weaken the structure formed by the roots. This would lead to less-efficient water absorption.
Different grasses are more useful in different areas. In climates with lower average yearly rainfall like the midwest, Buffalo grass, Kentucky bluegrass, or tall fescue might work well for your lawn.
If the grass is not an option for your yard and situation, you could also start a rain garden–a rain garden is a series of plants, shrubs, and perennials with strong root systems perfect for sucking up excess water. Native plants work best for this kind of initiative, and can be planted anywhere you expect excess water to pool up. Looking up local plants in your area, as well as water-draining plants, will be absolutely beneficial when it comes to naturally curbing flooding.
If you want to either prevent a flood from happening or take measures to ensure one doesn’t happen again, find a method that works and stick to it. Having an expert to consult with could go a long way towards avoiding any damage from your project to your and your neighbor’s property, fault lines, plumbing, electrical wiring, and others. Taking precautions will never steer you wrong.
