Whether you have a new or existing home in the New Hampshire Lakes Region, site grading and drainage are critical to protecting your investment. Poor grading can cause standing water against your home’s foundation leading to mold or even water intrusion into your basement. Lawn areas with poor grading make it difficult to grow healthy turf grass.
How We Fix Water Problems in the Landscape
Proper site grading solves most water problems in the landscape. In some cases, reshaping the yard to an appropriate slope and pitch is enough; a subtle swale or berm may be needed to channel the water.
If the site has heavy clay, we may strip off the existing soil and build up a foundation of sandy fill before re-loaming. A steep slope may require filling to reduce conversion. Finally, retaining walls may need to be built in strategic places to level the yard.
Drainage System Installations
Sometimes drainage system installations are required where site grading opportunities are limited due to elevation or lot size. A drainage system is a network of pipes connected underground that directs water away from the home foundation.
Drainage systems can channel large volumes of water from downspouts and catch basins over a short period of time – which makes them quite useful, especially during heavy downpours. If necessary, we can connect the drainage system in your yard to storm drains.
Other Methods of Site Drainage and Erosion Control
Aside from re-grading your yard and installing drainage systems, there are a few other tricks up our sleeve to address site drainage and erosion control issues:
- Permeable Pavers – Non-pervious surfaces like driveways create a lot of runoffs. One way to deal with this is to install permeable pavers instead of asphalt or conventional paver patios. Permeable construction allows stormwater water to percolate back into the ground.
- Vegetation – Slope plantings can be very useful for soil retention where the grade is too steep for a lawn area. New Hampshire lakefront properties are subject to Shoreland protection laws that require a percentage of the land within 20 feet of the water’s edge have vegetative buffer.
- Riverstone Mulch – if you have planting areas on the slope, consider using several inches of Riverstone instead of bark mulch. Plants love it and it prevents soil erosion.
At Groundhog Landscaping, we feel we have a particular advantage when it comes to solving site grading and drainage issues. Our excavation division is top-notch. As experienced landscapers, we install solid retaining walls and have extensive horticultural knowledge to make your property functional and beautiful.
