How to Remove Standing Water

Lawns and landscaping are an important part of your home’s aesthetics; they catch the eye and add curb appeal as well as providing a place for family relaxation and recreation. It’s no surprise then, that drainage issues such as standing water can be both upsetting and frustrating to deal with. 

Many people take pride in their lawn and garden, so the threat of water damage to your land and property is as unwelcome as it is unsightly. To help those that are unfamiliar with or are experiencing problems with standing water, our BC Profiles team have compiled a list of the causes and ways to get rid of standing water. 

WHAT IS STANDING WATER?

Standing water, or water stagnation, arises when water accumulates in one area due to the flow of water being stopped. This leads to pooling which then sits undrained. Standing water can be a hazard for property structure and in some cases can become a breeding ground for bacteria. 

WHAT CAUSES STANDING WATER?

If left untreated, standing water can soon become a problem. Not only will it become stagnant and begin to smell, but it can be incredibly unsanitary and become a home and breeding ground for insects and their larvae.

These problems can stem from the homeowner’s habits, structural damage to the property or even design flaws. Such habits include the frequency and method with which you water your lawn; if you use a timed sprinkler or automated irrigation system, make sure that your settings are just so and that you’re not over-watering your garden.

You should also avoid watering as much in the wetter months, natural precipitation is usually enough to keep UK gardens healthy, so save manual watering efforts for the hotter, summer months or if you notice your lawn, plants and vegetation becoming a little dry.

Should a change to your habits not solve the issue, the problem may stem from one of the following:

• SOIL

If the soil around your property is hard and compact or heavy, sticky and clay-like, this will mean that the ground is less absorbent, decreasing natural drainage and increasing the chances of surface water.

• GRADING

Garden lawns should be graded to allow for proper drainage, and when levelled, the gradient should draw water away from your house and run-off into the nearest drainage system. If your land has not been properly graded, water can collect on your lawn faster than it can drain away. 

• THATCH

Effective drainage will also depend on how permeable your lawn is, if your lawn has a heavy thatch then drainage will be affected. Permeable lawns allow water to drain into the earth quicker rather than collecting on the surface; we recommend ensuring that your lawn is free from leaves and loose grass to aid in allowing the ground to absorb water. 

• HIGH WATER TABLE

Any rainwater which drains through soil becomes groundwater, this then forms a water table of saturated soil and rock beneath the surface. The higher the water table rises to ground level due to poor drainage conditions, the more likely you are to experience standing water on the surface. 

How To Get Rid Of Standing Water

If your home is being affected by standing water and you have identified the cause of the problem, the good news is that you don’t have to live with it! 

Depending on where your drainage troubles stem from, there are plenty of options and actions you can take to improve your land’s drainage and get rid of standing water once and for all. 

• ORGANIC MATTER

Introducing organic matter such as compost, leaf mould and manure into your lawn will open up the soil, create natural drainage channels and ultimately allow your lawn to absorb water much more efficiently. 

• RE-GRADING

With the help of a professional landscaper, you’re able to re-grade the land around your home. Make sure that you obtain a proper survey of the land’s low-lying points, drainage channels and outlets.

• DE-THATCHING

You can tackle a lawn with a heavy thatch by using a manual rake or specialised machinery such as a de-thatcher or vertical mower. Ensure that any debris and leaf litter is removed before using a garden fork or lawn aerator to aerate the soil to increase drainage. You can find out more on this by reading our How to Improve Garden Drainage guide. 

• INSTALL A DRAINAGE SYSTEM

If you’ve identified a high water table as the problem or drainage problems persist, installing a drainage system could be the solution. Here at BC Profiles, you’ll find a huge range of products for drainage, including patio drainage channels and further ranges of drainage channels and landscaping essentials, consult a professional to identify what system would best suit your land or even do it yourself! 

For more top tips and information, head on over to the BC Profiles DIY Help and advice page or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.