Our professional team has extensive experience in drainage, grading and erosion solutions
You create surface drainage by grading an area so that water collects and flows to a lower elevation away from the site. Regardless of surface characteristics, when it comes to surface drainage, slope is the most important issue to consider. For efficient drainage, paved surfaces should have a minimum 1-percent slope. Turf or landscaped areas should have a minimum slope of 2 percent.
- French Drains: French drains are typically used to draw excess groundwater and surface water away from an area of concern. French drains consist of a perforated drainpipe covered with clean stone. These drains are installed below ground, and the clean stone is covered with filter fabric to prevent the back-filled soil from clogging the stone and drainpipe.
- Downspout Connections and Rain Gardens: Proper management of storm water runoff from rooftops is an essential part of an effective drainage system. On flatter, well-draining properties, downspouts can sometimes be connected to rain gardens. By holding and infiltrating rainwater, rain gardens help protect our waterways and reduce flooding. These gardens can be shaped and sized to fit your yard. They also can be attractive landscape features, filled with native plants or other shrubs, trees and plantings that fit your soil, sun conditions and surroundings. In some cases, storm water runoff from rooftops must be diverted into existing sewer lines. These closed systems are a dependable way of diverting excess storm water away from the area of concern.
- Shoot" the grade: Because slope is so important for drainage, a transit or level is good to have on hand to "shoot" grades. It is also the best way to find the absolute lowest spot in a potential drainage area. Exceeding the 2-percent standard by too much can cause erosion problems. Slopes of more than 4 or 5 percent will seem very steep in most landscape situations.
- Calculate the slope: Each foot of elevation drop over a 100-foot length is 1 percent. Therefore, it takes 2 feet of elevation change over each 100-foot length of a swale to create a 2-percent slope. If the distance is 10 feet, you'll need a fall of 0.2 feet (roughly 2.5 inches) to create a 2-percent slope.
- Grade the area: Areas that will be paved, such as driveways or parking lots, are easy to surface drain by simply grading them so they slope away from structures and toward a lawn, storm sewer or street gutter. In open turf areas, you can create a swale by making a downward-sloping "crease" in the landscape where water will collect and flow to lower ground. If water flows to an area where it cannot completely exit the site, you can install a catch basin and pipe so the water will drain to its ultimate destination.
- Control erosion: Immediately after you create a swale, you should install stone or sod, sow seed or design other means of stabilizing the area.
Key Benefits of the Service
Our early involvement can help prevent some of the most common drainage problems.
Reduce damage to your construction due to standing water
Avoid drowning plants or potential tree damage due to poor grading
Keep your lawn and driveway in optimal conditions