Drainage Issues

Identifying the Issue
DIY Solutions
Ditches, Easements, and Drainage on your Lot

A drainage issue can involve standing water, basement leaks, or soggy lawns. The first step is to identify the source of the problem and then implement appropriate solutions. Common issues include compacted or bare soil, “heavy” soil that doesn’t infiltrate water well, improper grading, or poor maintenance of drainage swales.

Identifying the Issue

• Yard Drainage
  Look for standing water, mushy areas, or basement leaks. Check your development plat to determine if the standing water or soggy soils are in a wetland or are poorly draining soils. When the final development plat is approved, the County requires known wetland areas to be identified on the plat.  Note that over time, wetlands can disappear, develop, or increase in size as watershed conditions change.
  
  
• Drainage in swales and channels
  Observe if drainage channels are backing up or running slowly.
  
  
• Soil Type
  Consider the type of soil (clay, sand) and its impact on drainage. You can find out more about soils on the USDA Web Soil Survey here: https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/
  
  
• Compaction of soil or poor growth of vegetation
  Check for compacted soil and areas where grass isn’t growing well.  Compacted soils can hinder water absorption and inhibit groundcover growth.  Vegetation such as grass helps promote infiltration through its root systems.

DIY Solutions

• Aeration
  Breaks up compacted soil and allows water to drain better.  Aeration also helps keep your grass healthy.
  
  
• Amend Soil
  Keeping your soil healthy promotes grass growth and infiltration. Test your soil chemistry once every one to two years to determine if soil amendments are needed. You can get your soil tested for free (or really cheap!) through the NC Department of Agriculture (find out more here https://www.ncagr.gov/Divisions/Agronomic-Services/soil-testing).
  
  
• Regrading
  Slope the ground away from the house to prevent water from pooling.
  
  
• Extend Downspouts
  Direct water away from the house.
  
  
• Remove Debris
  Ensure water can flow freely by removing obstructions from channels, downspouts, and storm drain inlets.

Ditches, Easements, and Drainage on your Lot