If you consistently limit the amount of water that you provide your lawn with and yet you regularly find that grass stays muddy for unusually long periods of time, you may need to correct the drainage for the area. If you have verified that the problems are not occurring as the result of a downspout that needs to be redirected or a similar issue with your sump dump, it will be very helpful to be aware of the following information about re-directing the water from your yard to a better, safer area like a gravel bed or water garden.

#1-Start By Marking The Areas Where Water Settles without Draining

When you have determined which part of your yard the water accrues at, one option for fixing the flooding issue is simply to allow for the appropriate placement of a pipe. In order to find the right place for it to go, you will need to document areas where water lingers after a rain. It can be as easy as walking over your yard about an hour after it rains and marking the wet spots with an obvious stick in the ground, flag, or other inexpensive item.

#2-Dig A Hole That Goes Over The Same Area That You Just Marked

You can then dig a hole that is at least six inches across and eighteen inches deep that follows the same path as the line you just marked. As the path curves, you will want to allow the bottom part of each wall to curve. If you find that the tunnel is at least eight feet long, you will need to dig an extra inch deeper when it hits that length and then every time it hits that point throughout digging. By doing so, you are providing the pipe with an adequate slope so that the water will continue to flow downward, even if the length of the area being created increases substantially.

#3-Lay and Protect Your Pipes

When you have the necessary area dug appropriately, you should evenly spread a layer of crushed rock into the newly discovered area. Immediately above it, place drain pipes with perforations into the full length of the designed hole. You will also need to cover the pipe with another layer of rock for adequate insulation. Remember to use connectors to allow adequate flow of the water through the pipe as the pipes turn corners.

In conclusion, a yard that stays muddy and grass that is always too wet to grow well are common signs that you need to improve the drainage to your yard. When you are making plans to improve the area, it is a good idea to be aware of the information provided above.