How​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ We Helped a Family Locally Solve Their Backyard Drainage Problem Without Tearing Up Their Whole Yard

 

In Deck Builder in Riverhead, NY, we sometimes come across a project where the homeowners believe that they have a "massive" problem that is going to result in the whole yard turning into a construction site, days of noise, and a bill that they are already nervous about. However, just as often, after a thorough inspection, it turns out that the problem is not as serious as it initially appeared.

The case of the family on the north side of Riverhead whom we assisted last spring is a perfect example of such a situation. Their backyard was repeatedly soaking in water every time it rained. And if you have stayed here for a long time, you are familiar with how spring comes at the East End - continuous rain is followed by a cold snap and then by a warm spell which makes the ground wet again. As a Deck Builder in Riverhead, NY, we have witnessed this cycle taking a toll on decks, patios, lawns, and almost everything that is in the yard.

The good news? Not every drainage problem is a result of tearing half the property up. Sometimes, just being very observant of the yard and making a few changes can bring the situation back to normal.

A Little Background on Riverhead Backyards

If you are new in Riverhead, you may not think that drainage would be such a common problem. The reason is that most of the area is covered by sandy soil which normally drains water very well. However, the difficult part is that Riverhead is not consistent. Some places have sandy loam, some have clay pockets and certain low-lying neighborhoods near the Peconic River or Reeves Bay that are a little bit lower than the land around them.

This alone can lead to very different drainage patterns. Our coastal humid atmosphere, heavy storms coming from the Sound, and the way winter frost affects the soil are some of the other reasons why a yard that looks flat can still hold water.

Therefore, this local family situation was exactly like that.

What the Homeowners Were Dealing With

When we first met with the homeowners, they told us that they had not used their backyard for months. Water was always pooling in the same two places whenever it rained - one was right under the deck and another by the fence line. The yard was not drying for days. The children could not play outside, the dog was leaving muddy paw prints everywhere and one of the deck posts was getting its condition like it was constantly in moisture.

They thought the entire yard needed regrading. They were even worried about pulling up parts of the deck.

The point is, after experiencing this kind of stuff so often, you become quite good at differentiating big drainage problems from small-but-annoying ones.

This case? Certainly, the latter.

Walking the Yard Together

Every time we cooperate with homeowners, we are willing to inspect the whole yard together with them. Not only look at the problem area - because yards are tricky. Water goes where it wants and sometimes the cause can be ten feet away from where the puddle is forming.

While we were walking through the property, we found several things that were very obvious:

1. The left side of the yard was sloping downward very slightly—if you were not looking for it you would hardly notice it.

2. On that same side, a large, gorgeous maple tree was blocking most of the afternoon sun, thus slowing the evaporation process.

3. The downspout located at the back corner of the house was releasing water right toward the yard instead of away from it.

By themselves, any of these are not large problems but together? They made the perfect combination for a soggy, slow-drying yard.

Realizing the Issue Was Smaller Than It Looked

One of the things that we often hear in Riverhead is the statement of homeowners presuming that drainage problems mean excavation, new pipes, or tearing up half of their yard. Sometimes it is true—but mostly it is not.

The main problem in this situation was that water from the downspout had no place to go. Adding to that, there was shade and a very subtle low spot, so the result was a backyard that was like a sponge.

After we explained this to the homeowners, it was almost like you could see the relief passing over them. There is something reassuring in knowing that the problem in your yard is not as overwhelming as you thought.

Simple Fixes That Made the Biggest Difference

Redirecting Runoff the Smart Way

The task of redirecting that downspout was the first one. To extend it by a few feet and slightly angled the water so that it went towards a part of the yard that dried more quickly was the way that the house owners were made to see their work. This one little adjustment is the reason half the issue is solved in many instances.

Improving Airflow and Sun Exposure

The following step was to trim a few branches from the maple tree—not enough to change the look of the yard, just enough to allow more sunlight into the area that remained wet for the longest period of time. A little extra sun does a surprisingly big amount of work.

Adding a Discreet Drainage Channel

At last, along the fence line, we installed a shallow gravel-filled swale. It was subtle, easy to blend in with the landscape, and did not require any massive digging. So, it gave the water an easy path to the place where it had to go instead of staying in the same spot.

None of these fixes were flashy. No heavy machinery was needed for any of them. But the yard's water handling was completely transformed by them, the yard, in fact, was water handling differently.

What We Learned (and What Homeowners Often Don’t Realize)

Enough time spent working in Riverhead will train you:

1. Weather along the coast is not a thing you can predict.

2. People usually underestimate how much water is brought by Spring storms.

3. Sandy soil may not be as "sandy" as it seems sometimes.

4. The biggest part of drainage problems stems from small habits, not huge structural issues.

The largest shock of them all for homeowners is the amount of influence their gutters and landscaping have on where water goes. Even a tiny change in slope—or an overgrown shrub or two—can make a normal rainstorm last for days turning the land into a swamp.

Tips We Now Share With Our Riverhead Neighbors

Pay Attention After a Heavy Rainfall

There can be no better time for the identification of drainage problems than the moment that comes right after a heavy rain or a storm. You will be able to find puddles, low points, and places where water is not moving like it should, at once.

Check Where Your Gutters Dump Water

This one is almost too simple, but it’s huge. Ground drying would take place if only gutters were not directing water onto the same ground all the time.

Understand That Small Changes Add Up

Small changes like tree trimming or putting some gravel can become very significant in the long run.

A Feel-Good Ending for the Family (and Their Yard)

After less than a month of implementing these changes, the homeowners shared with us that their yard was drying much faster than usual. Children were outside playing again. The dog stopped bringing mud into the house. And the deck was no longer over a puddle.

The most wonderful thing? Their yard felt like their yard again.

Final Thoughts From Your Local Deck Builder in Riverhead, NY

We have learned just one thing working in Riverhead which is every yard is different with its own unique traits. Sometimes, land only requires a little maneuvering—a gentle push in the right way. And in most cases, the solutions are much more neighborly and less frightening than what the owners of the houses think.

This is the charm of living and working in a community where neighbors care for each other: things can always be made better without the need for going overboard.

If you want another topic, blog, or outline for Riverhead (or close towns), just drop me a ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌line!