Preparing Your Yard For Summer Storms In Hampton Roads "Drainage Solutions For Your Yard"

A beautifully landscaped yard showcases proper grading with well-maintained greenery and a smooth transition from the garden bed to the lawn, enhancing the home's curb appeal.

Summer storms in the Hampton Roads area don’t just bring cooler temps and dramatic skies—they bring heavy rain that can wreak havoc on your yard if you're not prepared. Whether you're dealing with standing water, soggy grass, or even foundation issues, it all comes down to one key factor: drainage.

Step 1: Grade Your Yard for Proper Runoff

One of the most overlooked steps in yard prep is ensuring your yard is properly graded. If your lawn slopes toward your house—or doesn’t slope at all—you’re asking for trouble. A gentle slope away from your home’s foundation helps guide rainwater to designated drainage areas instead of letting it pool where it can cause damage.

Improper grading can lead to:

• Water collecting around your foundation

• Erosion of topsoil

• Drowned plants and dead patches in your lawn

Before summer storms hit, walk your yard and look for signs of low spots or soggy patches. A landscape professional can use a transit or laser level to regrade your yard to ensure water flows in the right direction.

Step 2: Understand the Challenge of Hampton Roads Soil

Living in the Hampton Roads region means dealing with dense, clay-based soil. This type of soil holds water like a sponge—and not in a good way. Instead of letting rainwater drain quickly, clay soil creates puddles that hang around for hours or days.

This becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes, causes grass to rot, and turns your backyard into a no-go zone after any decent rain.

To combat this, many homeowners in our area have to go a step further and install a drainage system that works with the heavy clay, not against it.

Step 3: Choose the Right Drainage System

If you’re tired of the swampy mess in your yard, it might be time to install one (or more) of these drainage solutions:

1. French Drains

A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that redirects water away from problem areas. It’s ideal for yards with frequent puddling or for pulling water away from foundations and retaining walls.

2. Dry Riverbeds

These decorative gravel-filled trenches mimic a natural stream and guide water runoff through your yard in a visually pleasing way. It’s a perfect combo of function and form.

3. Dry Wells

Dry wells collect stormwater and slowly disperse it underground. These are great for collecting water from downspouts or low-lying spots in your yard.

4. Downspout Extensions

Sometimes the fix is as simple as routing your gutter downspouts away from the foundation. Use underground piping or splash blocks to direct that water to a safe area like a swale or dry well.

Step 4: Use the Right Products

We recommend checking out NDS drainage solutions—they offer everything from French drain kits and dry wells to catch basins and channel drains. Their products are engineered to work in tough environments like ours, and they make DIY drainage much more manageable.

Final Thoughts

Summer storms in Hampton Roads are a fact of life, but a waterlogged lawn doesn’t have to be. By grading your yard properly, addressing the challenges of clay soil, and installing the right drainage system, you can enjoy a lush, usable lawn all season long.

Don’t wait for the next big downpour to realize your yard isn’t ready. Get ahead of the storm—your grass (and your neighbors) will thank you.