As in many areas of construction, water management is an important factor in the success and sustainability of a project. Regardless of the context, poor water management can lead to major problems and damage. In landscaping, it is more than important to know how to control drainage. Your experts will explain some basic notions about water management and drainage optimization during a landscaping project.

WHAT IS DRAINAGE?

Drainage is actually the way water flows or creates a path for itself to run off and avoid accumulation. Naturally, drainage can occur through cracks in the soil, tunnels formed by insects or small animals. Many factors promote natural drainage. These include the topography of the land (slope), the composition of the soil, the level of compaction, and even the type of plants in the area.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DRAINAGE

Drainage is essential to facilitate the growth of plants and lawns and to extend the life of your paved surfaces.

FOR YOUR LAND

During a landscaping project, there are many elements to analyze for the optimization of the result. For example, it is necessary to evaluate the type of soil as well as the topography of the site before starting. Generally speaking, surface water must be able to flow from the back to the front of the house. The addition or removal of soil may be necessary to ensure proper slope management and orientation. The integration of drainage trenches or specially designed beds to receive water could also be part of the design. Otherwise, water could accumulate between the lots or near the foundations and cause complications in the medium to long term.

FOR YOUR PAVING SURFACES

The topography will also be taken into account for the installation of the paver. In addition to a suitable soil structure, the paver must be installed with a certain slope to promote surface water drainage. If there is no natural slope, gravel and sand should be added to promote subsurface drainage. The addition of draining curbs, strategically placed, can also be part of the solution.

CONSEQUENCE OF A BAD DRAINAGE

On your land

Some soil compositions tend to retain water more than others. Clay soil or soil that is too compacted will retain excessive surface water. Stagnant pools of water will prevent roots from breathing, resulting in slow growth, disease and mold. In the fall, waterlogged soil will tend to freeze more quickly and plants may have difficulty growing in the spring.

On your paver surfaces

When there is no slope on a paver surface, water will eventually seep through the concrete or sand joints. This movement of water can cause an imbalance between the blocks and the soil creating an uneven surface. It can also increase weed growth and with temperature changes cause the blocks to heave or even collapse.

AND GUTTERS...

The roof of a house generates a lot of water. Sometimes channeled to specific areas because of the slopes of the roof, sometimes spread over large areas. The gutters manage this water. Not only do they ensure that it is directed to strategic locations, but they also protect the buildings and plantings below. It is possible to create meeting points between the gutters and the flowerbeds, thus creating retention basins. In a landscaping project, it can be effective to channel the gutters underground to keep the water away from the foundation. The water from the eaves can also be collected in large containers that are then used to water the plants. One thing is certain, the management of gutter water is very important in order to avoid accumulations and potential damage.