Environmental | July 25, 2022

What To Do When Rainwater Floods Your Backyard

What To Do When Rainwater Floods Your Backyard

Backyard flooding is a major issue, especially in locations where heavy rainfall is common. Many people consider themselves to be in a hopeless condition. Obviously, these remedies take time and work, but there are many ways you can avoid backyard flooding and keep your lawn in pristine condition.

Some of the most efficient ways to remedy yard flooding are to stop the water flow, check your gutters, and regrade your yard. There are several options for draining a flooded yard and preventing it from flooding again. Many of these techniques will necessitate much of your dedication and time.

Check the Gutters

Check to see whether your rain drains have an obstruction. You should clean your gutters twice a year at the very least. The optimum times to accomplish this are in the spring and fall.

Clogged gutters can result in a flooded backyard. Without rainwater having anywhere to go, it will leave water falling right off of your house into your yard or flower beds, leaving you with puddles of water to worry about.
Clogged gutters can result in a flooded backyard. Without rainwater having anywhere to go, it will leave water falling right off of your house into your yard or flower beds, leaving you with puddles of water to worry about.

Check the Downspouts

A downspout, also known as a drainpipe, is a pipe that connects your gutter to the side of your house. This pipe’s primary function is to transport rainwater from the rain gutter to the ground. A correctly built drain pipe will prevent water splashing onto the building structure or gathering on the ground.

When downspouts are too short, backyard flooding is a common occurrence. Attach a 3-foot extension to it and steer water away from the yard and your house’s foundation. 

Attaching a 3-foot extender to this downspout will help you get the rainwater away from the foundation of your home. It will also keep rainwater from building up right in your backyard.
Attaching a 3-foot extender to this downspout will help you get the rainwater away from the foundation of your home. It will also keep rainwater from building up right in your backyard.

Check the Sump Pump

Many homes have sump pumps installed to prevent rainwater from gathering in the basement. Check your sump pump frequently to observe where the water is emptying. Attach an extension if necessary to divert the water away from your yard.

This is what a sump pump typically looks like in a basement to keep the water out.
This is what a sump pump typically looks like in a basement to keep the water out.

How to Prevent Your Backyard from Flooding

Implement a Rain Barrel

Rain barrels are large barrels that are placed underneath downspouts during a downpour. In the event of severe rain, they can be placed beneath the drain pipes to collect all of the rainwater that would otherwise flood your grass.

If your location gets a lot of rain and you’re always dealing with flooded yards, we recommend investing in a rain barrel that can hold at least 50 gallons of water. Make sure the barrels are in a convenient location so you can easily place them beneath the drain pipes when it starts to rain. This is also a great way to save water and reuse it around your home!

Rain barrels are a great solution to backyard flooding. Using this to catch the water from your downspouts will leave your yard flood-free.
Rain barrels are a great solution to backyard flooding. Using this to catch the water from your downspouts will leave your yard flood-free.

Regrade the Yard

If your backyard slopes downwards and towards your house, it will almost certainly flood if it rains severely. Regrading such a yard will prevent rainwater from flooding your home in the future.

Experts recommend a minimum slope of 2 to 3 inches every 10 feet out from the foundation for your lawn. This corresponds to around 2% of the minimum slope, while the maximum slope should be 12 inches every 4 feet, or about 25%.

Install a Rain Garden

Plants with the highest wet-soil tolerance should be placed in the center of a rain garden. Those on the edge will drain fast, while those in the center will remain submerged.

When at all possible, use native plants. They require little to no watering between rainstorms, resulting in a low-maintenance yard with fewer pesticide applications.

Rain gardens can help tremendously with flooding.
Rain gardens can help tremendously with flooding.

Final Thoughts

Rainwater flooding your backyard is not only detrimental to the condition of your yard, but can also be very detrimental to your home as well. Water damage is severe damage that should be taken seriously.

Using these tips on how to prevent rainwater floods will help you save your home from damage in the long run.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help identifying and repairing a leaky toilet.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines.

Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

Related Blogs