Hiring a drainage contractor is important to ensure that you have proper grading and drainage for your yard. The slope of your yard manages the direction and way water moves, with the goal of directing the water away from your home’s foundation – which is essential to prevent water damage.
The reality is that water damage is not only an inconvenience, but it can be quite costly. If your foundation is damaged by water, it can be a threat to the structural integrity of your home. Poor drainage leads to other issues as well, including soil erosion, a soggy lawn, and landscaping damage.
So, it’s a good investment to take a proactive approach by hiring a drainage contractor to minimize the risk of these issues. When your yard is well-graded, it helps you maintain a comfortable home environment while ensuring the longevity of your real estate at the same time. Our team at Mikula is here to help when you need to hire an excavation or drainage contractor.
What Does it Mean to Grade Your Yard?
When you are excavating to improve your yard grade, it means that you are adjusting the slope of the land to control the direction the water is flowing. The goal is to direct the water flow away from your home and other structures on the property.
Depending on the current condition of your yard, different strategies can be used to achieve the ideal result. This process might involve adding or removing soil, building retaining walls, creating shallow ditches (known as swales), or installing French drains. All of these features can help to reduce drainage issues and minimize the risk of water pooling in unwanted areas.
How Grading and Drainage Go Hand in Hand
Proper grading creates a gentle slope on your land, which moves the water in the right direction while also minimizing the risk of erosion. The foundation of good drainage starts with your grading strategy since the slope of your yard determines where the water flows and how quickly the water will move.
The consequences of poor grading are not only inconvenient, but they can also be expensive:
- Foundation Damage: If water is pooling around your foundation, it can cause the foundation to crack and leak. Not only is this damaging to the foundation, but it can also impact the overall structural integrity of your house.
- Soil Erosion: When poor grading causes water to move in the wrong direction or at the wrong speed, then it can result in soil erosion. This erosion can be damaging to your landscaping and also destabilize buildings and structures if the soil is pulled away from the foundations.
- Soggy Lawns: Not only does standing water in the lawn make that area of your yard difficult to use, but it can also cause damage to plants and be a mosquito breeding area.
As you can see, it’s important to work with both a drainage contractor and a professional landscaper to avoid these issues.
Why Grading Your Yard is Essential for Proper Drainage
What are the benefits of having my yard graded? There’s no question that hiring a drainage contractor can be a great investment. Here are a few reasons why proper drainage is so important:
- Reducing Water Damage: When water damage occurs, it can result in costly repairs and renovations. Even a little bit of water damage can be very expensive due to the work required to repair the foundation and other issues. Make sure you are proactive about protecting your foundation and basement by having proper grading in your yard to keep the water away from your home.
- Protecting Landscaping: You have put a lot of time and money into landscaping, so it makes sense to be proactive about grading. Having the right slope in your yard minimizes damage to flower beds, patios, and walking pathways.
- Healthy Lawn: It’s fun to play a game of soccer with the kids or lay out a blanket on the lawn for a summer picnic. But if your lawn is waterlogged, then these activities won’t be enjoyable. Proper drainage manages the amount of water in your yard, making it easier to maintain a healthier lawn that is both safe and functional.
- Property Value: Also consider the fact that proper grading, a strong foundation, and a well-maintained yard can have an impact on the value of your home. If you decide to sell in the future, then the appraiser will be looking at these details when determining how much your home is worth.
Seek Guidance from an Experienced Drainage Contractor
The benefits are undeniable: it makes sense to hire a drainage contractor to protect your home and yard. If you need help with these services, then make sure to bring in a team that has the knowledge and experience to assess your unique drainage needs and design the ideal solutions.
Mikula is here to help, offering years of experience and specialized equipment to implement any drainage system you need. We offer both residential and commercial drainage and excavation services. Contact us today and schedule a consultation to learn more about available services, and we’ll gladly put together a proposal for your project.
