Post By Admin
March 12, 2025Imagine walking across your lawn after a heavy rain and felt like you were sinking into a swamp. You got your expectations of a beautiful garden crushed just like that!
Want a quick fix? Sometimes, a simple DIY solution will do the trick, but if things get out of hand, you might need a blocked drain service to step in and sort things out.
So, what’s the best way to improve backyard drainage and keep your lawn in top shape? Stick around—we’ve got some practical tips to help you fix the problem once and for all!
Common Lawn Drainage Problems
If your lawn constantly feels soggy or develops stubborn puddles, chances are you’re dealing with one (or more) of these common drainage issues. Let’s take a look:
- Sloped yard drainage issues – If your yard is on a slope, water might not drain evenly, causing pooling in low areas or runoff that washes away soil.
- Poor yard drainage – Sometimes, the soil itself is the culprit. If you have heavy clay soil, water struggles to soak in. It causes your lawn to be waterlogged.
- Hidden leaks from a burst water pipe – Ever notice a random soggy patch in your lawn, even when it hasn’t rained? A burst water pipe underground could be the reason.
- Tree roots clogging your drainage – Tree roots naturally seek out moisture, and unfortunately, that includes your drainage pipes. Over time, roots in pipes can block water flow, leading to backups and flooding.
5 Tips to Improve Your Lawn Drainage
Now it’s time for the real deal—tips to improve your landscape drainage! If you’re tired of dealing with a soggy lawn, take note!
1. Keep Your Stormwater Drain Clear
It seems like an obvious tip, isn’t it? Stormwater drains are meant to carry excess rainwater away, but if they’re blocked with leaves, dirt, or who-knows-what, water has nowhere to go—so it just sits there, soaking your lawn.
Here’s a pro quick fix: grab some gloves, check your drain, and clear out any debris that’s stopping the water from flowing. If the drain still isn’t working properly, try flushing it with a hose.
And if that doesn’t do the trick, it might be time to call in a pro to sort it out. Keeping your stormwater drain in top shape can save your lawn from turning into a pool and protect your home’s foundation from water damage. Win-win!
2. Check for Underground Leaks
Yes, everything about plumbing issues often came from leaks. Finding the underground water leak location is super important because a leaking pipe can turn your lawn into a permanent mess—and that’s the last thing you need.
A quick way to check is by looking for areas where the grass is growing way faster than the rest of your lawn (a sign it’s getting extra water from a leak).
Another trick? Turn off all the water inside your house and check your water meter.
If it’s still ticking, you’ve probably got a leak. The fix? Calling a professional plumber before things get worse. Not only will you stop wasting water (and money), but your lawn will finally have a chance to dry out.
3. Put a Rain Barrel to Collect Water
If heavy rain is overwhelming your yard’s drainage system, why not take advantage of all that extra water?
Installing a rain barrel under your downspout is an easy way to collect and store rainwater.
Plus, it’s a great way to be more eco-friendly—use the stored water for your garden, potted plants, or even washing your car.
Setting one up is simple. Just place a rain barrel (or any large container with a lid) under your gutter’s downspout to catch runoff. Many rain barrels come with spigots so you can attach a hose and easily use the collected water.
Also read: How to Install a Backyard Stormwater Pit
4. Aerate Your Lawn
Ever heard of aerating your lawn? Aerating simply means punching small holes into your lawn to loosen up the soil, allowing water, air, and nutrients to reach the roots more easily.
You can aerate your lawn with a garden fork (just poke holes throughout the area) or use a specialised aerator tool that removes small plugs of soil.
This is especially helpful if your yard has heavy clay soil, which tends to hold onto water. The result? Better drainage, healthier grass, and fewer soggy spots after it rains.
5. Install a French Drain
If nothing works, it’s time for the most effective tip: install a french drain.
Sounds fancy, but it’s actually a super simple way to redirect excess water away from problem areas so your lawn doesn’t stay wet for days.
Here’s how it works: you dig a trench in the trouble spot, make sure it slopes slightly away from your home, and line it with gravel.
Then, you pop in a perforated pipe, cover it with more gravel, and top it off with soil or decorative stones.
This setup helps collect and move water away, keeping your lawn drier and preventing erosion. It’s a bit of a project, but once it’s in, it’s a game-changer.
FAQ about Lawn Drainage
What do you put under grass for drainage?
If your lawn is holding onto too much water, you can improve drainage by adding a layer of sand or gravel under the soil. Another great option is using a perforated pipe (like a French drain) to redirect excess water away.
What is the best material for drainage under turf?
You’ll want something that lets water pass through easily. Crushed gravel, coarse sand, or porous aggregate work best under turf because they stop water from pooling while keeping the grass surface firm.
Avoid compacted soil or clay—they’ll just make the drainage problem worse!
What is the best landscape material for drainage?
It depends on where you need drainage! For garden beds and pathways, gravel and river rocks are great because they let water flow through while looking natural.
If you’re fixing a lawn drainage issue, a combination of sand, gravel, and well-draining soil works best. And if water pooling is a big problem, installing a French drain can be a game-changer!
Conclusion
Fixing lawn drainage isn’t a nightmare, after all. But, if you prefer trusting reliable people instead, why not call in the experts?
Neighbourhood Plumbing is ready to help with professional solutions to get your lawn back in shape.
Give us a call today and say goodbye to soggy, waterlogged grass!
About the Author
From unclogging the toughest drains to repairing leaking toilets, Ricky is a seasoned plumber who has brought his craftmanship to homes across Melbourne. He is passionate about sharing plumbing tips just as much as he is about fixing your plumbing issues. So, when your taps or pipes begin leaking, you know who to call.
