If you have areas of your yard that are prone to flooding during heavy periods of rain, you may have dismissed the condition as a seasonal nuisance. However, standing water in your yard is a sure sign of poor yard drainage that has led to oversaturated soils. This can cause many problems, several of which can compromise the integrity of your home’s foundation, if left unattended to. We discussed the dangers of oversaturated soils in a previous post, and today, we will review why it is so important to make sure water can drain properly from your yard.
At Tilted Concrete Solutions, we provide Top Rated Local® concrete leveling services in Houston and the surrounding areas. If you have recently resolved an improper drainage issue and have discovered sinking concrete surfaces that have resulted from oversaturated soils, then call us! We are happy to inspect the problem area and provide you with a free estimate for our services.
Five Dangers of Improper Yard Drainage
Damage to Landscaping
While many of the grasses, trees, and plants native to Texas are able to withstand soil with a high moisture content and high levels of humidity in the air, not many are able to survive constantly being submerged in water. Small shrubs like Primrose Jasmine and Fragrant Sumac could be killed off by too much water. Even large trees, like oaks, cypress, and elms, can suffer from sitting in soil that is too wet. You likely spent a good deal of money on your landscaping, and proper yard drainage will help keep it healthy.
Water in Your House
No one wants to deal with water inside of their home, but if the soil around your home is not properly graded, you may be left scrambling to find ways to keep runoff from rainwater and sprinklers outdoors where it belongs. Having a little bit of water in your home might not seem like that big of a deal, especially if it doesn’t happen often. However, it only takes a small amount of moisture to produce mold spores in our humid environment, and if left unchecked, water damage can compromise the structural integrity of your home over time.
Sinking Concrete Surfaces
You might not give it much thought, but you likely have several different types of concrete surfaces around the exterior of your home. From the driveway and the sidewalk in front of your home to the stairs, patio, and pool deck in the rear, you may rely on these things on a daily basis. If the soil beneath these surfaces is too saturated with water, it may not be able to support the weight of the slab. The result is a sinking concrete surface that can leave you with dangerous, unsightly edges that pose a tripping hazard. Proper yard drainage is very important for keeping your concrete surfaces level, and once they have sunk, you may need to hire professional concrete leveling surfaces to lift them back up.
Increased Pests
Here in Southeast Texas, we are no stranger to having the occasional unwanted pest in our yards and home. Our hot, humid climate provides the ideal habitat for many troublesome pests much to the distress of homeowners. There are some pests that not only prefer this moist environment, but rather, thrive in it. Mosquitoes love to lay their eggs in small pools of water, and the flooded corner of your yard provides the perfect breeding spot for them. Likewise, many species of termites are attracted to damp soil. Between West Nile Virus and termite damage to your home, poor yard drainage could spell trouble if not corrected.
Long-Term Erosion
Texas soils are unlike many others around the country. Because of the high water table, torrential rainy seasons, and subsequent periods of drought that we often experience here in the Houston area, the soil is constantly subjected to oversaturation and undersaturation. This temperamental nature often leads to ideal conditions for long-term erosion, and that could be disastrous if it continues for years. Soil washout beneath your pool, patio, and driveway can lead to a complete collapse of the structures, costing you thousands of dollars in repairs. To prevent this from happening, it is essential to divert water away from these structures.
Call Today for Quality Concrete Leveling Services
Do you have a sunken pool deck, cracked expansion joints on your patio, or uneven sidewalks due to poor yard drainage? Once you have resolved the drainage issue, contact our team of concrete levelers to lift these sunken slabs back to their rightful position. This will restore beauty and safety to your property, allowing you to enjoy your yard as it was meant to be enjoyed. Call us today to get started, or request your free estimate for our concrete leveling services online now. We can’t wait to help you!