How to Fix a Flooded Backyard: 4 Effective Strategies

Key Takeaways

• Backyard flooding is often caused by poor drainage, compacted soil, and too many impervious surfaces. 
• If you notice standing water, spongy soil, dying grass, or an increase in mosquitoes or other water-attracted pests, your yard may have drainage problems.
• The most common ways to fix a flooded backyard include grading the yard, installing drainage systems, improving soil quality, and using water-managing landscaping, such as planting native species or creating rain gardens.
• Properties experiencing persistent or severe flooding usually warrant professional drainage assessments, which can help prevent long-term damage.

Learning How to Address Flooded Backyards

Backyard flooding is more than just an eyesore; when left unchecked, it has the potential to damage your landscaping, attract pests, and jeopardize the structural integrity of your home’s foundation. Therefore, understanding why water pools on your property and knowing how to fix a flooded backyard can help you avoid further complications. 

Typically, flooding comes from a combination of drainage issues that come from poor soil conditions and flaws in a property’s hardscape design, ultimately preventing water from soaking into the ground or flowing away as it should. Nevertheless, each property is different.

Due to the Pacific Northwest’s terrain and heavy rainfall, Portland is vulnerable to flooding, making it essential for homeowners to know the best strategies for identifying the source of flooding and restoring proper drainage. Some properties may benefit from grading or soil improvements, while others will be better served through the installation of new drainage systems. 

The extensive guide below will walk you through the most common causes of backyard flooding and the best ways to fix them so you can make informed decisions about your property. 

Why Backyard Flooding Happens

To figure out how to fix a flooded backyard, you must first understand why it happens in the first place. In most cases, flooding is rarely due to a single issue. Contrarily, it is usually the result of several compounding factors that prevent water from properly draining after rain or irrigation.

Some common culprits found during backyard flooding are:

• Poor drainage systems – A backyard with clogged gutters, improper grading, or insufficient runoff routes may quickly accumulate water during storms, because water pools when the land slopes toward your home or has no slope.
• Soil composition – Clay-heavy soils, which are common in many parts of Portland, Oregon, do not absorb water easily. This means rainwater can sit on the surface instead of soaking in, fueling soggy conditions.
• Hardscaping issues – Impermeable surfaces like concrete patios, stone walkways, and asphalt driveways require nearby permeable areas to absorb runoff, or these features can contribute to backyard flooding.
• High water table or seasonal flooding – Low-lying areas or places with a naturally high water table may notice an excess of groundwater rising to the surface during rainy seasons or after snowmelt.

Signs Your Backyard Has Drainage Issues

Flooding is usually gradual, meaning it can take a while to manifest. Poor drainage issues serve as an early warning sign of flooding. Some common indicators of drainage issues that you should look out for are:

• Persistent standing water – If puddles linger for hours or days after rainfall, your drainage system may not be effective enough.
• Soggy or mushy ground – If the soil feels soft or bouncy, it’s likely oversaturated. Another telltale sign of oversaturation is if footprints linger on the surface.
• Dying or yellowing grass – Too much moisture can suffocate grass roots, and result in browning patches.
• Mosquito breeding or foul odors – Stagnant water can become a breeding ground for pests. It also encourages organic material to rot and emit a musty or sour smell.

If your property is prone to the drainage issues mentioned above, you should contact a qualified professional for help and regularly look for early signs of water damage after a weather event.

Top 4 Strategies for Fixing a Flooded Backyard

Trying one or more of the solutions below has the potential to redirect water and restore healthy drainage to your flooded backyard. However, what’s causing the issue will determine what to do when you have a flood, making it important to schedule a professional assessment before taking action.

1. Grading and Sloping Fixes

Water will naturally flow with gravity. So, you should make sure your yard is sloped to direct rainwater away from your home and areas prone to pooling. If you schedule land grading services, a contractor can help you adjust your soil to create a gentle slope, diverting pooling-prone water toward the street, storm drains, or natural drainage paths. 

2. Installing Drainage Solutions

If your property experiences more significant or persistent flooding, mechanical drainage systems can be installed to achieve the best fix. Some examples of stormwater management systems that can be installed are: 

• French drains – Gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipes that collect and redirect subsurface water. They’re especially effective on properties at the base of hills or near patios.
• Dry wells – Underground basins collect excess water and slowly disperse it into the surrounding soil for absorption. They’re best suited for properties with occasional surges in runoff.
• Catch basins and channel drains – Surface-level systems designed to catch water and send it to underground pipes. They are typically used near driveways, patios, or the base of downspouts.
• Downspout extensions – To allow roof runoff to be directed to safe drainage zones, which are usually at least 6 to 10 feet from your home, extensions or splash blocks can be used.

3. Landscaping for Water Management

Thoughtful landscaping can work with nature to absorb excess water rather than fighting it. Consider replacing some of your grass with mulch, gravel, or native ground covers that can improve the absorbency of soil and reduce water runoff.

You could also have bioswales or bioretention areas built to increase stormwater absorption. These green systems can also be subtle enough to blend into the surrounding landscaping.

Some people also have permeable pavers installed, replacing traditional concrete with more porous materials that let rainwater flow between stones into the soil.

4. Soil Improvement Techniques

Over time, soil can compact and experience a decrease in its ability to absorb water. A compaction test, which involves measuring the soil’s density, is a great way to determine if the soil needs to be loosened to restore permeability and stop puddles from forming.

If your yard does need to breathe, you may benefit from aeration. By punching holes into the lawn, you increase airflow and make it easier for water to penetrate deep into the soil—this technique is particularly helpful for clay-heavy yards.

Some other examples of soil amendments that can promote drainage include topdressing the yard with a thin layer of compost or mixing in sand or gypsum to break up compacted soil.

When to Call a Professional

Most backyard flooding issues demand expert help. Some examples of scenarios that warrant calling a professional are:

• If flooding persists despite efforts – For example, if someone has already tried aerating their lawn to no avail, there may be underlying issues like a collapsed pipe or drainage obstruction that require expert attention.
• If your structures are at risk – For instance, if water is pooling near your home’s foundation, it may eventually seep into your basement or crawlspace and cause mold or fungal growth that leads to wood rot.
• If permits are required – Many larger projects, such as regrading or adding dry wells, typically require city permits or inspections from a certified professional, especially if your neighborhood has stormwater ordinances.
• If you need a custom system design – There are many professionals trained and equipped to perform soil tests, drainage assessments, and site design work tailored to your specific yard and local conditions.

By contacting a professional as soon as you notice signs of flooding, you can mitigate additional problems and reduce the time it takes to restore water damage.

Cost Considerations for Fixing a Flooded Yard

Historically, property owners’ varying budgets have played a significant role in how drainage issues are addressed. To save money, many people have opted for do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions. 

Aerating your lawn, building a rain garden, or adding compost on your own usually costs between $100 and $1,000, depending on your yard size and the materials you decide to use. The cheap prices of DIY approaches sound appealing to many. Still, they are typically not as effective or long-lasting as professional solutions for fixing a flooded yard, such as installing high-grade drainage systems.

The table below features estimates for common professional solutions for fixing a flooded yard in Portland, Oregon. These estimates account for labor, equipment rental, and any required permits; however, some projects may fall outside of these ranges.

When exploring potential water damage restoration costs, it is crucial to consider the long-term value of professional services. While it may require more money upfront, solving a drainage problem early can save property owners thousands of dollars in foundation repairs, landscaping fixes, and pest control expenses.

Choose the Right Strategy for Your Yard

With the help of a qualified professional, you can start exploring how to fix a flooded backyard by pinpointing where and when water tends to pool. Then, the specialist can test your soil, analyze your hardscaping layout, and observe how roof runoff behaves. With this information, it will be easier to choose the right mix of grading, soil improvement, and drainage systems to fix backyard flooding, based on your property’s specific needs.

If you want to ensure the best approaches are being taken, it is vital to choose the right restoration company after a flood. If you live in the greater Portland, Oregon, area, Alpha Environmental can be an invaluable resource for addressing a wide range of water damage and ecological concerns. After a flood, our experienced team can help you restore your yard’s function, appearance, and long-term health in the quickest and most efficient way possible.

If your backyard or another part of your property is prone to flooding, reach out to Alpha Environmental for a comprehensive drainage assessment and a tailored restoration plan.