If
you have resided in Central Bucks County for some time, then you must have
discovered how swiftly a backyard which is perfectly fine initially turns into
a frustratingly soggy place after a heavy rain. That lawn looks good one day
and the next day there is the patch of standing water which hardly dries.
Throughout
these years of Hardscaping in Doylestown, PA and neighboring communities, we have
witnessed such a situation in different yards. Sometimes it is a muddy corner
where the kids used to play soccer. At other times water pools near a patio or
the mulch along the side of a garden bed is slowly washed away.
The
amazing thing is that the majority of these problems begin very simple. A small
puddle here, a little wet patch there. Gradually, if those minor problems are
not taken care of, they will lead to big difficulties assuming the yard has not
been made to drain water properly.
Thankfully,
artistic hardscaping in Doylestown, PA can be the solution to such problems
without the necessity of ripping out the entire yard.
Most of the Time
a Small Problem Leads the Way
Drainage
problems are usually not something that homeowners are very worried about
especially in the beginning. It is just one of the things you notice after the
storm.
For
example, there might be the area behind the shed where it remains wet for
longer than the rest of the yard. Or a patch of grass near the patio that
remains soggy for several days after it rains.
Most
people think that the problem will disappear on its own.
In
fact, some specific conditions here in Central Bucks County make these issues
pretty frequent.
The Situation Called “That Spot Which Never
Dries”
We
get that phrase very often:
“Only
that area in the yard never seems to dry.”
That
patch of water might be at the bottom of a slope or right next to a patio.
Occasionally, it is the downspout area where water accumulates.
Initially,
homeowners resort to simple attempts to fix the situation. They add soil or
grass seeds. Sometimes they put down mulch.
Yet,
such remedies hardly ever last if water is flooding that area continuously.
Grass
finds it difficult to grow there, the soil is carried away and the use of the
yard becomes more and more difficult -especially after the rain.
The Reason You See Such Drainage Issues So
Frequently in Central Bucks County
Several
local factors make drainage, around here, quite a challenge.
To
start with, the soil in certain parts of Bucks County is quite dense and water
doesn’t get absorbed quickly. When there is a heavy rain, water has to go
somewhere and if the yard is not well-graded, it can congregate in the low
spots.
Secondly,
most of the properties in Doylestown and the areas around are located on mildly
sloping ground. Even if the slope looks insignificant, it can direct water
towards patios, lawns or foundations.
And
we can’t forget that Pennsylvania’s weather is a factor as well. Storms in
spring, sudden summer downpours and even winter snow melt all cause water to
move through a yard.
A Backyard
Example Near Us
One
time that is quite memorable to us is when we were helping a family that had a
home just outside Doylestown and their backyard was their favorite place.
Their
kids had the great lawn to run and play on and the family enjoyed the patio for
relaxing during the nice weather.
One
thing though was bothering them after every heavy rain: that the location near
the patio became a muddy mess.
The Initial Yard Layout
The
backyard was sloping down very slightly from the fence towards the house. Once
you become aware of the slope it is quite clear that water runs downhill and
ends up near the patio.
The
lawn retained the moisture for several days.
Grass
started disappearing slowly from that portion of the yard and muddy areas
appeared more often.
The Incident that Made Them Look for a Solution
They
thought they were just going to clean the patio once more, but this happened:
The
rain poured for over an hour and when it let up, water was every where in the
yard except the patio. The kids had to walk in the mud to get inside the house
and the homeowners were concerned about potential water damage to the house.
Only
after would they consider looking for a lasting solution.
How Hardscaping
Can Fix Such Problems
Usually,
when homeowners think of upgrading the yard, their mind runs to landscaping
first—new flowers, mulch beds, or maybe some grass.
Of
course, those things can definitely make a yard look better, but they won’t
always fix drainage problems.
Hardscaping
is the main point when it comes to dealing with water problems in a yard.
Using Patios, Retaining Walls and Correct
Grading
Besides
adding some aesthetic value, hardscaping elements like patios, stone walkways
and retaining walls serve a very practical purpose: directing water to the
right place.
For
example, patio grade modification can lead to water running away from the house
and not towards it. Retaining walls hold the soil in place and keep the slopes
from washing downhill during heavy rain.
Even
the tiniest differences in elevation can substantially change things.
How Permeable Materials and Drainage Features
Come in Handy
Another
way is employing materials which have a water permeability element.
Permeable
pavers, for instance, are those ones with mini-gaps that facilitate the seepage
of water through the gravel base rather than forming puddles on the surface.
Channels
for drainage or gravel beds can also be utilized for directing water away from
problem areas.
These
are not the kind of solutions that attract attention but they are very
effective every time it rains.
Designing a
Little Makes a Big Increase in Functionality
Based
on our experience in yards all over Central Bucks County, one of the things
that we figured out was that very literally even the smallest design choices
can make the difference between an outdoor area that remains dry and one that
has constant water issues.
Observing the Water Movement Patterns Before
Building Anything
It
is advisable to do a thorough check on the yard for the water motion before
building a patio, walkway, or any other feature.
Homeowners
often say we suggested they stand outside during a heavy rain to watch the
water movement. That is very telling and a “must” first step as well.
At
a glance you will notice where the water collects, moves fast and also those
areas that stay dry.
Such
facts will later facilitate wiser decision-making.
Selecting Weather-Appropriate Materials for
Pennsylvania
The
other thing that is worth mentioning is our freeze-thaw cycle.
In
Pennsylvania, winter is the season of temperature fluctuations leading to the
expansion and contraction of soil. If the materials haven’t been laid on a
solid base and with proper drainage, they will likely shift after some time.
This
is the reason why a lot of patios and walkways around here depend on stone or
pavers resting on top of a bed of compacted gravel. Such a base helps control
moisture and also keeps the surface stable throughout the years.
Sharing A Few
Recommendations We Made to Our Neighbors
We
have found that offering simple, effective and easy pieces of advice result in
owners of homes being able to effectively handle the problem of drainage and
not be overwhelmed by it.
Notice the Water's Path during a Heavy Rain
During
the rain, give yourself a few minutes to walk the yard and check the flow of
water instead of simply making a guess as to what is happening.
Find
out where the water accumulates and quickly runs off. Often, that is where the
need for improvement is most urgent.
Small Erosion Should See Your Attention
If
you notice a little bit of soil getting washed away close to a garden bed that
might not alarm you in the least.
Nonetheless,
erosion is a progressive phenomenon. By that time you notice the deterioration,
it will be a much bigger problem which will necessitate major repairs.
Design Outdoor Areas Based on the Slope
It
turned out that the biggest mistake people make is fighting the natural slope
of the yard. Working with it rather than against it is more often the case.
The
construction of pats, steps, or walls based on the terrain is not just a
pathway to good drainage but also ensures a natural-looking environment.
The Reason Why No
Two Yards in Central Bucks County are Identical
One
thing that continues to keep our work fun is the level of differences in each
land even when we work with homes in the same neighborhood.
There
are cases where two houses sitting on the same street have extremely different
drainage patterns. This is determined by their slope, soil condition, and the
way the yard was initially graded.
So
here, in fact, comes the challenge- drainage problems are not a
one-size-fits-all issue.
Sometimes
a small change in the grading will be enough to solve the problem. Other times
it will be necessary to use stone pathways, permeable patios, or retaining
walls to direct water to appropriate places.
And
if all those pieces are working well together, what you get is a yard that not
only looks better but also is capable of standing up to the storms, snowmelt,
and seasonal weather of Central Bucks County.
Besides,
homeowners get to enjoy their outdoor space without worrying about the next
rainstorm turning their yard into a muddy mess.
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