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DRAINAGE

Two Most Popular Types of Drains

A.Dry Creek Bed – This is a visible above ground drainage system that takes water away naturally via a swale or valley on the property.

B.French Drain – French Drains carry water off of the property underground and cannot be seen as they allow water to percolate through a minimal amount of turf, through a gravel fill, into the drain, and ultimately off of the property.

Downfalls to Improper Drainage

Structural Building Damage

Water drainage problems in a yard are not restricted to plant and land damage. When water drains poorly, your home may also be at risk. Be particularly careful with the height of the soil line in relation to structures such as homes, garages or sheds. Soil that has been built up higher than a structure’s slab may result in water that seeps indoors, which could lead to foundation damage. Soil should be at least 2 inches below the top of the slab. For problems with slope and water that drains from the yard toward buildings, you may need to install an underground drainage system to redirect the water.

Wasting Water and Plant Drowning

Drainage problems may result in wasted water. When soil is incapable of absorbing water at an appropriate rate due to poor drainage, the water that runs off or evaporates is wasted. Inefficient watering may result in increased water bills and runs contrary to best practices in water conservation to protect the environment. In addition, the water that puddles up and remains on the soil may kill plants. Plants consistently take up fresh water and nutrients in ideal conditions. When the soil around their roots is saturated for extended periods, the plants become waterlogged and drown. This problem is not reversible, and you will have to replace the dead plants.

Root Rot Disease

In addition to cultural issues that result from poorly draining soil, overly wet soil may encourage the development of pathogenic problems. A vast array of fungal diseases that attack plant roots are collectively referred to as root rot diseases. The majority of root rot diseases develop in poorly draining soils and attack plants. As root rot diseases often severely damage or destroy root systems before above-ground symptoms appear, the disease is difficult and sometimes impossible to treat.

Improving Drainage

Soil should drain at approximately 2 inches per hour. If soil drains slowly or water puddles when you water, amend heavy soil by adding several inches of organic content, such as compost, into the top layers of soil. In lawns, heavy thatch may be responsible for water than cannot reach soil. Dethatching lawns with a rake or a motorized de-thatcher will improve lawn drainage problems. To improve a sloped landscape, French drains move water away from areas that tend to puddle.

Everything Outdoors of  Tulsa installs a variety of sizes of drainage systems for your property. Typically we use 4 inch, 6 inch, 8 inch, and in severe cases 12 inch systems. These systems can easily be tied into gutter systems as well. We want to be your Broken Arrow Tulsa landscaping company!