You probably don't think too much about drainage in your landscape — you just assume it’s there.
When everything’s going well, you don’t have to worry about your excess rainwater — your property will direct it through your city’s sewers, or toward area waterways.
If it doesn’t, you have a drainage problem. And that can mean extensive — and expensive — damage.
Let’s take a look at why water management is a crucial issue for your commercial property, and a few solutions to keep you dry.
The Trouble With Too Much Water
Without proper water management, excess water can cause serious damage to your commercial property.
What kind of damage? Mold and mildew. Cracks in your building, driveways and sidewalks. And excess water is an invitation for pests like rodents and bugs.
Signs You Need Better Water Management
How do you know if you have a drainage problem? You don’t have to look too far. Maybe there are large puddles on your lawn after a rain that seem to take forever to evaporate. Pools of water on pavement is another sign. Or a flooded basement.
Are there cracks in your foundation that keep getting bigger? Water stains on your basement floors or walls?
Address these telltale signs before they become big headaches.
Water Management Solutions
There are a variety of water management solutions, depending on the exact problem and the characteristics of your property. Sometimes, a combination of solutions is the best plan.
Here’s a look at some options:
A Tale Of Two Ponds: Retention Vs. Detention
A common method for managing stormwater is to build a pond, or basin. There are two different kinds: retention and detention.
Retention ponds are pools of water that fluctuate in response to rain and runoff. They collect water and release it slowly, at a nice, easy rate that prevents flooding or erosion.
Detention ponds are usually dry, except when excess rain or melted snow fill them up. They’re designed to hold water temporarily, then slowly drain it to another location.
Bioswales
Bioswales are more decorative, with landscaping that looks nice while they handle excess water. Gently sloped troughs, they’re planted with plants and flowers, providing a path for water to run through slowly and efficiently.
Stormwater runoff picks up all sorts of contaminants on its way into the groundwater system. The plants and soil in the bioswale clean the runoff before it enters the water table. Properly landscaped, they can be pretty while doing their job.
Rainwater Harvesting Systems
One way to prevent excess water on your property is to capture it — then reuse it. Capturing and using rainwater is a great idea, as water becomes increasingly valuable.
Commercial properties like apartment buildings, shopping centers and office buildings, with their often large, flat roofs, are great for rainwater harvesting.
When rain falls onto a roof, a system of gutters and pipes channels it and stores it.
In some cases, more than half of the water used each day can be replaced with rainwater. Use it to flush toilets, do laundry, water the property, wash vehicles.
Captured rainwater is free. Landscaping loves it. Using it can reduce your water bill. It’s a win-win-win.
Trust Your Water Management To Level Green
The pros at Level Green Landscaping can analyze your commercial property and figure out solutions for all your water management needs.
Plan ahead for your drainage issues and you’ll avoid major repair costs, insurance headaches and stress by ensuring that your property functions properly when heavy rains hit.
We’d love to create a comprehensive management plan for your commercial landscape, including water management as well as a host of maintenance services like mowing, trimming, blowing, pruning and edging.
Our focus is on commercial properties like offices, mixed-use sites, HOAs, municipalities and institutions in Maryland, Washington DC and parts of Virginia.
Contact us at 202-544-0968 or by filling out the form online. You can also request a free consultation online to meet with us one-on-one.
We’d love to hear from you.
