Three Signs Your Yard May Have Poor Drainage

Drainage is one of those things that you don't think about until a storm passes through and you wake up to find your yard completely flooded. We certainly didn't think of it when we bought this house right in the middle of a very dry summer. Thankfully our yard seems to be OK, but many of the neighbors have 'lakes' in their yards every time it rains. I guess there's more than one way to have lakefront property! Though I'm sure they're not thrilled with the standing water in their yards.

Anytime it rains, the water needs a place to go. If your yard lacks proper drainage, that water will build up in an area where you may not want it. The excess moisture can kill your lawns and any plants in your yard too. In addition to flooding, there are other signs that you can look for both inside and outside your home that can indicate you have a drainage issue on your hands.

Clogged Gutters

Cleaning your gutters is something that may need to be done a few times a year, especially if you have mature trees near your house.  Gutters consist of not only the individual gutter pieces along the roof but the downspouts too. The water that moves through the gutters goes into the downspouts, which carries the water away from your foundation. If you've cleaned the leaves out of the gutters but they still seem clogged, that can indicate that your yard doesn't have proper drainage and the water in the downspouts has nowhere to go.

Interior Flooding

Another sign of improper drainage is interior flooding. The water can soak into your lawn and move closer to your home instead of away from the foundation as it's supposed to. Excess water buildup can cause cracks to form in your foundation allowing water to get inside your house. That water can seep through at a slow rate, but as the cracks expand, the water flow increases. You may begin to notice warped floorboards and woodwork, and eventually flooding in your basement or on your first floor.

Mold and Mildew

You may not have noticed flooding yet, but when you spot mold and mildew and can't find a cause for it, it's time to contact a professional irrigation St Louis company for help. Both mold and mildew thrive in areas with excess moisture. Mold needs a dark place to grow, which is why you'll see it inside cabinets, but mildew can grow in your shower and in any other room of your home. Those spores will continue growing and moving around your home until you get rid of the moisture.

Any of these signs can indicate a serious problem with your yard's drainage which you will want to take care of as soon as possible to avoid additional damage.

Rain!

We woke up this morning to the sound of rumbling thunder.  As Jeffrey was leaving for work he told me I needed to come see the clouds.  So I grabbed my camera.  They were pretty cool – storm clouds moving in.

I wish I could have caught some of the lightning that flashed through them, but I’m not that lucky.  I watched the clouds for a bit, until I started getting wet and then retreated inside the house.  Since then we’ve had, not continual rain, but periodic downpours.  The yard and the garden can definitely use it, but I catch myself wondering if I really want to go out today.  Not that I think I’ll melt if I get wet, but it’s more the kind of day for curling up with a good book.

Walking in the Rain

Image by jk+too via Flickr

I waited a bit before walking this morning, because it was raining.  The satellite on the news made it look like it was pretty much out of our area, but the rain was coming down enough that I hesitated going out.  I'll bundle up and walk in the winter with -20° windchill, but I really don't like getting wet.  There was one time (thankfully in the summer) when I got absolutely soaked while I was walking.  It really wasn't doing much, until about halfway through my walk when the skies just opened up and poured.   Since there wasn't much I could do about it, I just kept walking.

Today was a bit too chilly to want to get soaked like that.  It was misting enough that my glasses got covered in water drops, but the rest of me stayed fairly dry.  Maybe I should think about getting some rainy-weather gear - rain coat, rain boots, umbrella - so I don't have to worry about whether or not it's raining in the mornings. Yeah, I'm obsessed about my walking.  Beth says I'm addicted.  Either way, if I don't get out and walk in the morning, I'll often end up with a headache.  I think it's worth getting a little wet (though not soaked) to avoid that.

Sky Watch Friday #37

It's (almost)Friday again, and that means
Sky Watch Friday!

Cory and I were headed to the library Tuesday, in between rain showers.  I was waiting for him to grab whatever it was that he forgot and had to run back inside for when I looked up and saw a rainbow.  I was thinking I needed to run back inside and grab my camera when I realized I had my phone with me, so I tried getting a shot with the phone.

OK, not great, but you can see the rainbow, right?  In the other direction, the sun was spilling through the clouds:

I love when the rays show up like that.  And then Cory was ready to go to the library.  We had books to return, books to pick up, and people to talk to.  Cory also shot some video for his Tuesday video on YouTube - I should really link you up, shouldn't I?  Oh, and that's what he ran back into the house for - camera batteries.

Anyway, after we finished at the library and went out to the parking lot - another rainbow, or at least part of a rainbow.  See it?

If you enjoy looking at the sky as much as I do, you'll want to check out Sky Watch Friday. You can enjoy skies from around the world!

Sky Watch Friday (#26)

It's Friday again, and that means Sky Watch Friday!

We've certainly been watching the sky this week.  It seems that storms have rumbled through every day.  These big, dark clouds come rolling up.  They open up and pour rain down on us, and then they roll on by, only to be followed shortly by more big, moisture-laden clouds.  Lather.  Rinse.  Repeat.  Milwaukee has already set a record for the most rainfall in June, and we're only halfway through the month.  The previous record was set in 1917.

Here are some clouds that have already dropped their rain on us, after they have rolled on by. 

and here are some more rolling in:

This week I have been very thankful that we don't live anywhere near a river, lake, or any other body of water.  Many people have had their houses flooded and even washed away.  No, I never want to live on a lake or river.  While the view is nice, I just can't imagine having to deal with that.  Even worse (well, maybe not worse, but ewwww) are the houses and basements flooded by sewer backups.

If you enjoy looking at the sky as much as I do, you'll want to check out Sky Watch Friday at Wiggers World. Join in or just enjoy all the wonderful sky pictures.

Tillie and the Rain

Off and on all evening we've had quick showers. Nothing as serious as we had coming home, but it still manages to pour every once in a while.

Tillie has been begging someone to take her outside. You know, this cat used to be so quiet, and mostly she is. She really doesn't make much noise, but recently she's decided she wants to go outside and roll around on the sidewalk or chase bugs and smell the flowers. So she sits at the front door and meows until someone finally takes pity on her and goes outside with her. Did I tell you she's spoiled? Anyway, Jeffrey just took her out a few minutes ago. while they were out there, it decided to rain again. A drop or two hit her, and Tillie was ready to come in. Jeffrey opened the door, and she came running in. I guess she does not like the rain. Do you think it will stop her wanting to go out? Somehow I doubt it.

Rain Delay

Image via WikipediaSerious rain today. We were at our friends' house in Milwaukee, and Cory wanted to get home because he had a games night at the library. About the time we needed to leave, it started pouring. So, we waited for it to let up. In the meantime, Jeffrey went out in the rain a couple of times, loaded the van, got the umbrella, moved vehicles so ours was behind and we could get out. Then, when it let up a little, we all ran for the van and headed home.

About then it started raining hard again. Streets were flooded so we had to turn around and take an alternate route, and it was hard to see. There were a few places on the interstate that were flooded - luckily in the opposite lane. Cars were backed up over there and taking their time getting through. Still, we managed to get Cory to the library, about half an hour late. And by then the rain had pretty much stopped - or we just drove out of it.

Cory's game night ended up going later than originally planned, so he really didn't miss all that much. It sounds like they had fun. They played some board games or party games and some video games on the Wii and playstation 3, and no-one was ready to go home at 8:00 as planned. This would be why we don't plan to pick Cory up at any particular time. We just tell him to call when he's ready or if he is getting a ride.

Good Timing

It started raining this afternoon - hard enough that I thought I better go pick Cory up from the bus stop. He doesn't appreciate it when I make him walk in the rain. He comes in the front door all wet and glares at me. He's sweet, but it's not like he's going to melt. But I thought I'd be a nice mom and pick him up. It's true - once in a while, I'm actually a nice mom.

Then, right about the time I needed to leave, I noticed that it had stopped raining - so I went out to the mailbox just to be sure. It's sprinkling a little, but nothing major. I didn't melt. The boy can walk. Now we're all good, as long as it doesn't decided to start pouring on him halfway home.

Yep, he's home and he's not even wet!