Drainage Installation Solves Common Surface Water Problems

In every life, a little rain or snow will fall. But standing ground and surface water cause major problems to homes and landscaping. Drainage installation helps control mosquitos and odors, prevents root rot, protects foundations and basements, and improves the value of your property. 

The Problems Caused by Poor Drainage

Water itself isn’t the problem. You need water to keep the lawn, trees, and other landscaping elements green. But if water ponds instead of draining, or drains towards the house instead of away from it, you have poor drainage. This causes a number of problems:

Pests

Mosquitos carry diseases such as West Nile and Zika viruses. These bloodsuckers lay eggs in and around stagnant water. 

Carpenter ants are one of the largest species of ants here on Long Island. Their nests require moisture to protect eggs. Once hatched, carpenter ants create damage to wood structures.

Your neighbors probably don’t appreciate the pest habitat created by water standing on your property. 

Odors

When the septic tank drain field doesn’t work properly, your nose knows there’s a problem. Standing, stagnant water from rainfall quickly loses oxygen and this contributes to the growth of mold, algae, and bacteria. Whether you smell rotten eggs or sewage, improving drainage solves the problem. 

Landscape failure

The roots of trees, bushes, lawn grass, and other landscape plants need water to survive.  But waterlogged soil deprives roots of oxygen. When roots die, the entire plant dies. Standing water also undermines tree roots, causing trees to blow over more easily during a Nor’easter.

Standing water also compacts the soil, making it difficult to cultivate new plants. Existing plant roots have trouble penetrating compacted soil as well. 

Foundation and building damage

Water flowing toward a building or standing next to a building presents a real danger to the structural integrity of the building.

Eroding and cracking damages foundations, walkways, driveways, stairs, and garage floors. Drainage installation and correcting the grade protect buildings and other structures. 

The Drainage Solutions

Your drainage solution depends on the source of the water. Drainage installations can include tanks, French drains, dry wells, and grading.

Grading

Water should slope away from the home. Rainwater and melted snow from gutters should be directed on a downward slope at least 5 feet away from buildings.

If the water is standing because it can’t run off, grading may be the answer. The area around the foundation of the building is built up so it slopes away from the structure. 

French Drains

French drains consist of a trench and perforated pipe. They often terminate in a dry well or tank (more on these drainage installations in a minute).

Water enters the trench and percolates into the pipe where it is directed away. A dry well or underground cistern can serve as a reservoir to collect water and slowly disperse it back into the ground.  

Dry Wells

A dry well receives water from a drainage system and then disperses it into the ground. Many dry wells are simply deep holes filled with gravel. Water enters the dry well and is then filtered through the rocks deep into the ground. Sometimes dry wells include a tank to capture water before it is dispersed back into the ground. 

Septic Drain Fields

Without a drain field or leach field, grey and wastewater from your septic tank would simply collect. A proper drain field includes perforated pipes to direct water away, filter it, and handle the final disposal of the water. Overflowing toilets and slow drains are sure signs there’s work to be done on your drain field. 

Drainage Installation on Long Island

No two Long Island properties are the exact same. Drainage challenges vary from neighbor to neighbor. That’s why PALERMO PAVING customizes the drainage installation project to fit your unique needs.

From adding dry wells to improving septic drainage and fixing driveway slopes, PALERMO PAVING meets your Long Island drainage needs.