After a big storm, many homeowners report that their yards are flooded. They notice that water pools in certain spots, or it rushes across their properties, bringing soil along with it and damaging plants. The good news is that there’s a solution to this common problem, which is hardscaping. Hardscaping are solid features of your property that include patios, walkways, and driveways. Here are some ways that hardscaping can actually direct water where you want it to go and keep flooding at bay.

Patios and Pathways: More Than Being Places to Walk

A patio that slopes gently away from your house will also direct water in that direction. Because the water will flow away from your home, it doesn’t have the chance to pool near your foundation or drip down into your basement if you have one. Pathways that are built with a slight crown in the center will work in a similar way because they can direct water off to the sides, which will prevent puddles and erosion. Hardscapes can also be designed to direct water to specific locations. Let’s say that you have a rain garden, which is an area of plants that’s designed to soak up excess water. You can collaborate with a contractor to have hardscaping structures made to direct water there.

Permeable Paving: Letting the Water In

Some clever hardscaping materials that are increasing in popularity for homeowners are permeable pavers. Permeable pavers look like regular paving stones at first glance; however, they’re either constructed from porous materials or they contain tiny gaps. This design enables rainwater to seep into the ground directly below any hardscaping features that are constructed using these stones. This reduces surface runoff and prevents flooding, and it also recharges groundwater supplies.

Walls and Terraces: Holding Back the Tide

If you have a sloped property, then terraces and retaining walls will aid you in your fight against flooding and erosion. A terrace creates level steps on a slope, and this will stem the flow of water and allow it more time to soak into the ground. Retaining walls will keep soil from moving and potentially blocking drainage paths. While this may seem counterproductive for keeping the floodwater at bay, retaining walls can actually make a considerable difference when they’re strategically planned and installed.

For the best results, you should collaborate with a contractor, as they can survey your property and make recommendations for optimal solutions. For hardscaping that can assist with water drainage on your Warner Robins, GA property, reach out to the team at Safe Site Services.