Yard Drainage System: Choosing the Correct Pipes & Materials

Drainage system: Having a beautifully maintained lawn, a nice centerpiece tree (or two), or even a small, yet fully functional vegetable garden – that’s the dream of every modern homeowner.

However, realizing a dream of a gorgeous yard involves digging beneath the surface, both literally and figuratively, right down to the drainage system.

This element is often overlooked when planning, yet it is essential for the well-being of the yard and property as a whole.

For this reason, it is crucial to ensure its long-term integrity and functionality, starting with selecting the right piping materials and sizes.

What Is Best For Drainage In A Yard?

While drainage pipes do come in standard sizes, they are not one-size-fits-all. Before you even begin the selection process, there are several factors you should consider to ensure that you’re making the right choice:

Drainage system requirements

The first thing you need to do is determine the estimated levels of water flow that need to be managed. Typically, this is done by using Manning’s equation, which does require a bit of semi-advanced engineering knowledge. This step is critical to selecting the right pipe size.

Soil type & conditions

The composition and features of the soil in your yard will dictate the suitability of both pipe material and size for the drainage system. 

• Soil type determines permeability, which is the value that defines how much water can the ground absorb within a given time period. Based on this, you will calculate the pipe size so it is capable of accommodating the excess water volume;
• Soil conditions refer to the chemical and mechanical properties of the ground, which will help you determine the correct pipe material.

• Aggressive soils, such as those with high salinity or containing harmful elements, may require resilient or corrosion-resistant materials;
• Unstable soils that are prone to shifting or settling, necessitate the utilization of pipes made of flexible materials.

Local building codes & regulations

The vast majority of areas have a very specific set of rules regarding the installation of drainage systems, including some imposed limitations to types, sizes, and materials.

Adherence to local building codes and regulations is critical as it ensures everyone’s safety, so make certain to check in with relevant authorities to avoid any potential issues.

Cost considerations

Your budget will be a significant factor in the final calculation, as different pipes come with differing costs and associated expenses. 

• Pipes made of quality materials and manufactured to meet the highest industry standards, the likes of those found at Blair Supply, will naturally be a bit more expensive but also provide significantly increased longevity.
• Piping that is lightweight and easy to handle is much easier to install, drastically reducing labor costs, which can amount to lower overall expenses.

What Is The Best Pipe For Yard Drainage System?

Now that you know how to determine the right type and size of your drainage pipes, it is time to discuss the material options. In general, the most commonly used piping for yard drainage systems are:

1. PVC (PolyVinyl Chloride) pipes are, by far, the most popular choice due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, resistance to corrosion & chemicals, and ease of installation.
2. Corrugated Plastic pipes, typically made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are lightweight, flexible, corrosion-resistant, and easy to install. However, corrugation can sometimes impede the effectiveness of the water flow, which is why they are in the 2nd place.
3. Perforated pipes can be made of different materials, but the most commonly used are PVE and HDPE, which determine their traits (as noted above). These can be ideal for subsurface systems that warrant drainage from the surrounding soil, in addition to surface water.
4. Clay pipes are the most used pipes ever, but only because they have been around for more than 2000 years. However, they remain a popular choice in modern times, as they are eco-friendly, corrosion-resistant, durable, and long-lasting while having a unique, natural aesthetic.

Ideas To Uplift Your Yard Drainage System. 

Now that you have a proper drainage system, what else can you do to transform your space? Well, we’re here with the best ideas for you to make the most of your yard.

While also keeping in mind that you will need to touch up the space soon. Check out these ideas for your yard drainage makeover: 

1. Construct a creek bed

A channel to take the water away from a low spot in your yard requires a creek bed. This addition to your yard can transform the space from a soggy mess to a landscaper’s dream.

The right landscaping will make the best of your space, making the creek bed look good despite being dry. The creek bed will not just uplift the space, but it will also solve your drainage problem.

This attractive landscape feature will look beautiful while channeling excess water away from the low spot. 

You can also use a creek bed to drain a low spot. Follow these steps to make a creek bed: 

• Start making a swale, a shallow, gentle drainage ditch. 
• Line the swale with stones or gravel and dimension with boulders, plantings, or a bridge. 
• Voila! Your creek bed is ready. 

The drainage project does not have to be turned into a creek bed. However, controlling the surface water becomes easy. A subtle way of doing that is simply making a swale.

You may choose to build a swale before you sod your yard or seed it. But you can also do it by cutting the grass and replacing it when you are done regrading. 

2. Build a rain garden.

Building a rain garden allows you to change the low spot after the yard drainage system is installed. To an area where the yard is designed to collect the water that is flooding the yard. You may also fill it with water-loving plants. 

A drawback of this may be that the space does not become less soggy or it’s dry, but it does make the space look a lot better.

Additionally, a rain garden helps in holding excess water until there is a chance to drain it away from this space.

Also, a plain rain garden is good for reducing runoff that carries a lot of pet waste, lawn chemicals, and sediment. 

3. Create a dry well. 

A dry well can help you fix the water problem easily. This slightly resembles a yard drainage system where you are filling a large hole with an aggregate.

This will help in catching the excess water. In addition, you can also hold the excess water while it is soaking into the ground. 

It is a plastic container that collects water and holds it. Meanwhile, it drains out through the holes. The containers are surrounded by a porous material that can help in draining the excess water.

The material can be stacked or placed side by side. The main agenda of installing a dry well is to make it large enough to hold the first quarter of a large rainstorm. 

Take it easy and you will make an informed decision

As it stands, choosing the right piping for yard drainage is a science all in itself. As such, it can get a bit overwhelming at times due to the sheer number of factors that must be taken into consideration.

So, our final advice is to not rush it. Take it one step at a time and sooner, rather than later, you will realize your dream of a perfect yard!

Also read

• Is It Ok To Be A Pluto In Scorpio?
• Is It Ok If Your Parents Disappoint You?
• Is It OK To Implement Storyteller Tactics? Brands That Did It Well!