Drainage issues, insufficient grade, and runoff obstructions are common reasons your yard floods every time it rains.
If you’re constantly dealing with a soggy, boggy mess even with the slightest sprinkling of rain, chances are your property has underlying plumbing, structural, or landscaping issues that need attention. The good news is that most flooding problems can be resolved with practical and cost-effective solutions.
Poor drainage is one of the most common reasons for flooding. The key indicator that this is your issue is if the flooding occurs consistently and takes a long time to dissipate. If this is not the case, you might be dealing with another reason entirely (see below for insufficient grade and runoff obstructions).
Look for these common signs that result in poor drainage:
Low-quality soil with high water retention - This can happen if your soil has become compacted over time, or if clay or sediment has built up under the surface.
Blocked stormwater drains - Leaf litter, sediment, garden runoff, and other obstructions in your stormwater drains can prevent water from draining off.
Overgrown gardens and root systems - Sometimes tree root systems can puncture plumbing systems, block drains, and even create large quantities of leaf litter that can retain water and slow down flow.
The best ways to improve poor drainage include keeping your garden trimmed to prevent overgrown root systems, cleaning and maintaining stormwater drains to prevent clogging, and replacing old soil with quality, well-draining soil.
Find out more about how stormwater maintenance prevents flooding with Enviromate or request a quote if yours is blocked today.
If your house sits on the lowest-lying part of the property or if the land slopes towards it instead of away, then water will naturally flow down your yard and towards your foundations. In most cases, houses built this way will have sufficient drainage to handle the volume of runoff.
However, it’s important to note that all properties, including flat and sloped ones, will experience landscaping changes over time. The issue starts when your slope no longer directs water towards your drainage systems, leaving you with unwanted pooling, flooding, and potentially costly damage to your foundations.
The best ways to improve your insufficient grade are:
Re-level your land
Raise low-lying areas that collect water
Reposition or install additional drains in strategic locations
Does this problem seem familiar? Talk to a professional plumber at Enviromate to assess whether your property needs a drainage specialist.
Living on a sloping block can pose challenges with drainage, especially if you live in an elevated neighbourhood. Your property may be catching runoff from your neighbours' properties too, which means that if your drainage system isn’t designed to keep up with the volume of water, it can lead to much bigger flooding problems.
Another complication is obstructions in front of your drains, forcing water to flow and pool elsewhere. Common obstructions include garden objects, structures, or low-lying areas where water pools and stops flowing.
The best ways to improve runoff flow include keeping drains free of clutter and debris, ensuring water has a clear path through your property, and levelling out any low-lying areas that cause pooling.
If your yard is flooding, the first step is identifying the cause with a professional assessment.
DIY fixes can help with mild issues, but problems like incorrect grading, stormwater blockages, and underground damage often require a qualified plumber to prevent long-term structural problems.
Enviromate can inspect your yard, diagnose the cause, and recommend the most cost-effective fix for your property.
If you’re only getting the occasional puddles after large dumps of rain, chances are, you can fix the problem yourself with some basic DIY levelling. Most of the above concerns are easy to diagnose, but much more complex and riskier to fix on your own. It’s always best to get a professional assessment to gauge the severity of your issue.
DIY solutions should only fix low-risk flooding issues. These include:
Cleaning and maintaining drains, gutters, and gardens
Removing debris and obstructions from water pathways
Adding soil or gravel to low-lying areas
Foul-smelling floodwater is usually caused by stagnant water collecting organic matter, such as leaves, grass, and soil, which begins to decompose. Standing water not only smells unpleasant but can also attract insects and bacteria, making it important to drain or treat the area promptly.
In some cases, it can also indicate contamination from nearby sewage, overflowing septic tanks, or stormwater runoff. If you’re unsure of the cause of the smell, it’s highly recommended to stay away from the flooded area and call a professional plumber to assess the area.