You can’t control the weather, but you should be able to control how much rainwater collects in your yard or in other parts of your property with good drainage.
So, what happens when you don’t? Aside from water in your basement and a swamp that’s likely to attract all manner of bugs in the backyard, you could also experience significant erosion of your soil, damage to your trees and plants and serious problems with your foundation.
Many drainage issues are construction defects
Far too often, property owners with drainage problems are actually dealing with some kind of construction defect. The worst part is that it may not even be your property that has the defect – your neighbor’s actions could potentially be the cause of the problem.
Most often, drainage issues are related to things like:
- Downspouts and gutters that weren’t properly installed: Did your contractor forget to aim the water away from your basement windows? Did your neighbor think that it was okay to direct a pipe straight into your backyard? These are all potential sources of problems.
- A poorly graded lot: Before you built, you scoped out the lot and had it graded so that water would flow away from your home – but the landscaper may not have gotten it right, and a new drainage plan can be expensive to install.
- You have the wrong soil: This is something that you thought your architect checked, but they didn’t – and now you have a soggy mess in your yard every time it rains. The addition of pea gravel or something similar before you had all your landscaping done would have been wiser.
Drainage problems can lead to serious property damage and a lot of expense – but you do have options. Whether it’s your neighbor’s improperly placed gutters causing leaks in your basement or your landscaper who left you with a serious grade in the lawn that’s leading to trouble, learning more about your rights can help you decide what steps to take next.