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The Basics of an Exterior Drainage System in Hartford CT

Exterior Drainage System in Hartford CT

Are you considering having an exterior drainage system installed? This type of drainage is a necessity if your property exhibits the following characteristics:

  • Is large and therefore offers a large surface that needs to be irrigated
  • Is in an area that experiences large volumes of rainfall
  • Has dips and depressions that result in the pooling of water.

There is much more that goes into the design of a drainage system than simply deciding to have a drain dug into your yard. The following are basic steps that ought to be taken in designing an efficient exterior drainage system.

  1. Determining where the water comes from

Muddy, flooded or soggy lawns are caused by two major problems i.e. poor drainage and excess water. Drainage systems are designed to address the poor drainage problem. It is therefore important to determine where the excess water is coming from before you address poor drainage.

Sources of water may include:

  • Melting snow
  • Underground water
  • Heavy rainfall
  • Broken or leaking water pipes
  • Broken or leaking irrigation systems
  • Blocked or damaged gutters

Repairing pipes and gutters can help to eliminate the source of water. You may even find that you will not need to have a drainage system installed as a result. Where repair or elimination of the source of water is impossible, consider designing the drainage system to deal with the volumes of water deposited.

  1. Consider the soil composition

The composition of the soil on your property contributes to the drainage of water. Your drainage system will be influenced by the soil composition. Clay soil for example is known to cause pooling of water. You can help to improve drainage on your property by adding sand, compost or gypsum to the soil after tilling the soil.

  1. Elevation of the land

The direction in which your land slopes influences the depth of the ditches to be dug in the exterior drainage system. The ditches should be dug in order to guide water away from the foundation and in the direction of the main drainage system. Determining the slope of your land and where water pools is key in the design of your system.

  1. Choosing a drainage type

There are three main types of drains to choose from. These are:

  • Gravel

This includes an open trench that has been filled with gravel and covered with grass or top soil.

  • Open ditch

This simply involves the use of an open ditch to guide excess water away from the land.

  • Drainage pipe

This includes the use of a large pipe that is installed in the ground.