Getting rid of standing water in the yard is doable and you are not the only one to suffer this issue. Many homeowners find plenty of puddles in their backyard which at some point becomes very annoying. You start to get a foul smell, small flying insects, or mosquitos but also plenty of mud dragged inside the house from people or pets. In addition, these puddles or water facilitate mold growth and can create mold problems in the basement of the house too.
As a result, it is best to act quickly when you see standing water in your yard. I’m many cases the water can evaporate by itself, especially if it is there because of a heavy rain and the weather starts to normalize again.
If you do not feel like waiting, however, and the issue is constant and not just after a storm, there are some things you can do.
Start by talking to a professional landscaper so that they can examine what is causing standing water in the yard. There could be a drain issue or a trouble spot that needs to be re-graded.
Next, you can use a dethatcher to clean the yard. This helps clean the top layer of the ground from debris that can cause drains to get blocked. Once you have done that, make some small holes in the surface so you can allow air, water, and nutrients to reach the roots of your plants. Use an aerator or call a local contractor to do this process for you.
If you think the standing water is more of a soil issue, use a shovel to break up the soil and add mulch to make it more appropriate for plants to grow as well as water to drain.
Standing water can also be a drainage issue that starts at the house. You might want to check your gutters and downspouts and extend them to the sump pump drain. You can also install a French drain and redirect water away from the house.
Lastly, you can place some gravel around to divert the water and help keep the ground dry by helping the draining system. Choose white gravel and place it on the surface so it also adds another layer of color to your yard. Call us at RH Renovation NYC for more information on getting rid of standing water in your yard so you can enjoy summer outdoors.
