So, your backyard has flooded, again. Not to worry! It may seem like a troublesome undertaking to get it back to normal, but you have a few options on how to fix a flooded backyard.
A DIY Backyard Flood Fix
You can actually try to use a hose to fix the problem. Essentially, the hose can work as a siphon. Here’s what you can try:
- Find an area or receptacle which would make for a nice home for the excess water. This can be something like the street drain or a nearby ditch.
- Grab your hose and put one end into the middle of the flooded area.
- Submerge it completely – you’ll see bubbles come to the surface, indicating the hose is full of water.
- Cover the hose with your palm to create a seal, preventing water from leaking out of the hose and ruining the suction.
- Keeping the hose low to the ground, put the other end where you want the water to redirect.
- Lower the hose end as close to the ground as you can and point it at the receptacle or area where you are redirecting the water. Remove your hand from the end of the hose, and the unwanted water will gush out right away and will continue draining until the flood end is no longer submerged.
If You Have A More Serious Backyard Flood…
If your yard is overwhelmed with water, you may need to turn to a snake siphon. There are people that can to do this themselves, however many people prefer a professional for several reasons – we’ve done this before (many times) and can make sure that the area is properly inspected to get to the bottom of the issue, and advise you on exactly what needs to be done to prevent future floods. Speaking of which…
A Few Ways You Can Prevent Future Backyard Floods
Get to the root of the problem! Avoid this in the future by taking these precautions in order to try and avoid costly damage later down the road. Backyards typically flood because there’s nowhere for the water to drain – this is typically caused either by obstructions or improper installation of drainage solutions. Read on to learn more.
Do Your Cleanup
One of the most common reasons backyards will flood is because the surface is covered in leaves, moss, branches, or other debris, which block the water from escaping your yard. Get rid of leaves and remove the dead moss by vigorously raking the surface with a spring-tined lawn rake. At the same time, you’ll remove masses of old grass clippings and other debris that can build up on the surface of the lawn, forming a layer called thatch.
Improve Drainage
Areas of the lawn that get heavy traffic, like play areas, can make the area compacted, especially if there are weeds or moss in the yard, resulting in drainage issues. By pushing a garden fork into the ground and wiggling it around, you can make air channels. Repeat this every four inches or so across the lawn. (Yes, this method can be a bit time-consuming.) By making holes, you’re on your way to aerating your lawn. The next step is to buy some sand dressing (you can purchase ready-mixed bags at garden centers) and brush across the lawn. If your lawn is fairly large, you can rent an aerating machine.
If your lawn has flooded, call the professionals and save yourself the headache. We can help you with drainage problems and make sure your lawn is back to normal. Give us a call if you need a hand at (503)-292-5346.
