According
to the U.S. Geological Survey, Houston sits only 39 feet above sea level. We
have 21 major bayous in the greater metropolitan area, creating significant
watershed boundaries. The dominant component of the local soil is clay, which
has a particular sensitivity to moisture fluctuations. Oh, yes—and we regularly
get torrential rainfall. While these conditions don’t make us, say, New Orleans,
they certainly give homeowners pause when considering a functional landscape
drainage system.
The advantages of a proper residential landscape
drainage solutions are self-evident. It protects your home from flooding.
It is also important for plant and tree health, which further enhances your
property value. It protects the foundation of your home from cracking and uneven
shrinkage and swelling. It drains water away from the roof, patio, garden
landscape and lawn areas to prevent standing water that can cause slippery
surfaces, mosquito breeding grounds and drowned landscaping. All of these
benefits underscore the importance of a whole-system approach to a landscape
drainage system so that all the appropriate functions and fixtures work together
for the betterment of the entire property.
Elements of Good
Residential Landscape Drainage Solutions A
well-designed landscape drainage system provides proper grading, which creates positive
drainage away from structures. It also takes into account adjacent properties
and being careful not to drain onto them. Another aspect involves identifying
and addressing existing problems such as poorly-placed downspouts,
naturally-occurring low areas or an addition to the house that creates dams and
changes the originally-intended water flow. The key to solving most existing
problems is to find out where the water comes from—other than the obvious cause
of rain falling from the sky.
Considerations during Planning and Installation
• Drainage plans. The
total landscape drainage area of your property for drainage purposes is called a
watershed. Watershed means the total water drainage area with its different
slopes, rates of water run-off, soil porosity and the dividing line between each
drainage surface area such as roof, deck and lawn areas. A property watershed
analysis by a drainage expert will identify these different areas and will
recommend the appropriate fixtures and pipe size for the landscape drainage
system. • Permitting. Many cities require the submittal of a drainage
plan with regulations concerning minimum pipe size. • Engineering
plans. In addition, some jurisdictions may require an engineered landscape
drainage plan with submitted runoff equations.
• Tree
preservation. When
installing a drain system, it is recommended to hand-dig trenches around trees
to minimize damage to them. It is best to tunnel under tree roots by using compressed air. This method
exposes tree root so they are not torn. Alternately, pressurized water can be
used to dig deep trenches and expose roots, which also minimizes damage. •
City utilities. It is imperative to locate city utility lines so they are
not cut. It can be very expensive to repair fiber optic lines, gas lines and
other utilities. Types of Landscape Drains • Gutter downspout
tie-ins. Downspout tie-ins are designed to take water from the gutters to
the landscape drainage system. These tie-ins are made of plastic, metal or brass
and sometimes have a side cleanout with a see-through grate so they can be
easily inspected for clogs. • Catch basins, or yard drains. Catch basins can be placed under
downspouts when it is undesirable or not possible to tie into the gutter. They
tie into a PVC main drain line instead and carry water out through the landscape
drainage system. Catch basins are usually a plastic or concrete box that uses a
plastic or metal drain grate cover to filter out leaves and other waste debris.
• Channel drains. These long narrow strip drains are used between
main structures and paving or at the edge of a patio or deck. • French
drainage. Designed to take water away from saturated soil, a French drain is a small ditch
that is filled with undersized rocks or gravel. • Deck drains. Deck
drains are installed in patios, decks and walkways so that water is either sloped toward drains or
drained into the landscape beds. They have special drain covers, usually
decorative, made of metal, brass or stone. Deck drains are smaller in size than
catch basins and are only intended to drain patio surface
areas.
Residential Landscape Drainage Systems: Additional
Considerations Because the Houston terrain is so flat, the
use of sump pumps or sump systems are sometimes needed to move the water out of
areas lower than the elevation being drained to. A sump pump basin is usually
constructed of brick or concrete. Proper maintenance consists of regular
inspection and cleanout of catch basins, downspout clean-outs, and inspection
and replacement of power connections on sump pumps and drain covers.
Drains can be unattractive, so it is important
that the landscape designer or landscape architect locate the
drains so they are hidden as much as possible. Sometimes the use of custom
decorative drain gates can be used to reduce the negative visual impact.
If you are having gutters, hardscapes and landscaping
installed, it is best to
hire a landscape contractor that uses competent
subcontractors so that the design, location and installation of the entire
landscape
design, including the drainage system, is seamless with the overall
improvements.
Since 1987, Exterior
Worlds has been successfully dealing with residential memorial drainage
issues in Piney Point Village, Hunter Creek Village, Bunker Hill Village, Hedwig
Village, Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University, Bellaire and the greater
Houston area since 1987. Call them at 713-827-2255 to discuss drainage systems
for your home.
For more the 20 years Exterior Worlds has
specialized in servicing many of Houston's fine neighborhoods.
Related Topics:
Below is a list of articles with the most recent ones listed first.
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