At Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces, we are committed to offering you excellent Drainage & Erosion Control installation services in Atlanta. By understanding water flow, rain damage, soil damage, and water runoff, our team of landscape drainage professionals addresses these issues in the beginning stages and provides possible solutions. After finding the best possible way to effectively drain water from your lawn or hardscape surfaces, we ensure that your yard is converted into a well-drained, erosion-free environment with our rigorous approach and attention to detail. Trust us to achieve great outcomes while improving the health and appearance of your outdoor space.
Have you ever noticed that after heavy rain, your yard area becomes a soggy mess? Water collects in low-lying areas, making plant growth difficult and transforming your once-beautiful yard into a muddy bog. This is where properly installed drainage and erosion control systems come into consideration.
Installation of the drainage system in your yard is essential for various reasons. It is one of the most important functional factors of a landscape design. The drainage system ensures that excess water is efficiently removed, reducing waterlogging and preventing potential damage to plants, structures, and the entire landscape. Also, it helps in the prevention of soil erosion by diverting water away from vulnerable areas, protecting soil integrity, and avoiding sediment discharge. Furthermore, proper drainage decreases the chance of basement floods and foundation damage. These installations maintain the beauty of the yard, protect important topsoil, and durability of the landscape by reducing erosion.
HOW WE WORK
PRINCIPLE OF EXTERIOR DRAINAGE
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- Soil and Water Relationship: Soil-water relationship is crucial for drainage and erosion control. Soil texture, structure, compaction, and permeability affect water movement. Soil analysis, vegetation, and runoff coefficient are vital for effective drainage in urban areas.
- Topography and Grades: Topography refers to an area’s physical characteristics, such as slopes and contours. The slope or inclination of the ground is referred to as the grade. Effective external drainage systems require a thorough understanding and assessment of terrain and grades.
- Drainage Materials and Applications: Drainage materials include pipelines, channels, and filters that allow water to flow away from buildings. They are used to provide effective water management and minimize water-related damage in a variety of environments, including landscaping, road construction, and foundation drainage.
DESIGN
- Surface Drainage Design: Surface drainage helps control erosion and prevents the accumulation of water, which can damage turf, property, and hardscapes.
- Subsurface Drainage Design: Subsurface drainage provides numerous benefits within the soil and root zone. It maintains soil structure, promotes early warming in spring, enhances aeration, deepens the root zone, increases nutrient availability, and reduces damage caused by freezing.
DRAINAGE & EROSION CONTROL INSTALLATION
- Discharge Outlet Design: Planning and building an exit for water to flow out of a drainage system or structure, guaranteeing effective water management and preventing floods or damages
- Surface Drainage Installation: The installation of systems such as gutters, ditches, and grading to divert surface water away from structures and avoid surface pooling or erosion.
- Subsurface Drainage Installation: The installation of subsurface drainage systems, such as pipes, drains, and French drains, to remove excess water from the soil and prevent waterlogging or structural damage.
DRAINAGE SOLUTIONS
Sinkhole Repair and Prevention
Man-made sinkholes can cause severe damage to a home or anything surrounding them. There are three different types of sinkholes: a development hole, a lot clearing hole, and a clean-up hole. A development hole occurs during the beginning stage of construction when debris is buried rather than disposed of properly. A lot clearing hole is more common and is usually created during the end of construction of the original foundation. A clean-up hole occurs when the remaining debris at the end of a project is buried.
Natural sinkholes are also common and occur when there is a collapsing bedrock of underground holes. On the surface, these holes can be cumbersome and seem to never be filled. We have unique solutions to solve the problem at its core. Each sinkhole is different and should be approached with caution. At Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces, we are trained to properly fill a sinkhole with the right compacting materials. We use a few different approaches and can work within your budget.
Dry Creek Beds
A natural-looking feature and effective drainage solution. This is a non-organic landscape design element and form of hardscaping t This is a great choice for a home to fix your drainage issues. It’s a gully or trench lined with stones and edged with plants to mimic natural riparian areas. Think of it like a water highway where water can flow without taking any soil or vegetation with it. The best place to install one is to intercept the water and reroute it to a different part of the home or install it where water wants to go already. This way, you may prevent erosion by reducing water runoff with the implementation of drainage stream beds.
OUR DRAINAGE OPTIONS INCLUDES
EZ Drain
EZ Drain is a highly efficient French drainage system designed for residential and commercial applications. Its innovative design features a prefabricated geotextile-wrapped aggregate pipe that offers easy installation and excellent water absorption to dry up wet areas of the yard. With EZ Drain, maintaining a dry and functional environment has never been easier.
Catch basin with Atrium grate
An atrium grate option is a modern and efficient solution for managing rainwater in urban areas. These types of drainage systems are designed to channel water and debris from the surface level area to the underground drainage systems. They can be typically installed at the ground level and are commonly found in patios, driveways,or in plant beds.
Catch Basin
A structure beneath the ground that collects and holds surplus water or trash. It is an important piece of landscape project that is used to manage stormwater runoff.
Channel Drain
A Channel Drain system is a simple and effective way to manage excess water in outdoor areas. This linear drainage system is great for managing surface water. It has a streamlined, linear design that effectively catches and distributes water away from the structure, preventing pooling and potential damage. It’s perfect for driveways, patios, and other hardscaped areas.
Flo-Well:
A system designed to collect excess water efficiently, preventing pooling and potential damage. In other words, this dry well drainage system is an eco-friendly alternative to catch basins where it creates a permeable area underground for excess water to percolate and get absorbed. It is usually placed in the low part of the property where water wants to go already.
Dry Wells
A dry well is a way of managing excess water flow caused by heavy rain or other causes. It collects and disperses water into the ground, avoiding pooling or floods.
HERE’S A SIMPLE OUTLINE FOR MAKING A DRY WELL
- Determine the location: Select a good location for the dry well that is away from buildings, septic systems, and underground utilities. Ascertain that the region has enough drainage.
- Check regulations: Before beginning, review local rules and secure any required licenses for constructing a dry well. Specific criteria or limits may apply in some places.
- Dig the hole: Using a shovel or an excavator, dig a hole in the ground. The size of the hole will be determined by the amount of water you anticipate handling. Aim for a diameter of 3 to 6 feet and a depth of 3 to 6 feet as a general guideline.
- Create an inlet: In the center of the hole, create an inlet by inserting a PVC pipe vertically into the ground. The pipe should extend above the ground level. This inlet will receive the water and direct it into the dry well.
- Line the hole: Use a suitable substance to line the sides and bottom of the hole to facilitate water penetration and avoid blockage. Landscape cloth, geotextile fabric, or perforated plastic drainage pipes wrapped in a permeable fabric are also common possibilities.
- Fill the hole: Use coarse gravel or crushed stone to fill the hole. This substance will provide empty zones for water storage and improve drainage. Fill the hole with gravel until it reaches the level of the input pipe.
- Cover and landscape: To prevent soil from entering and clogging the system, cover the dry well with more landscaping fabric. The cloth should then be covered with dirt, and the area should be landscaped to blend in with the surroundings.
- Redirect Water: Direct the water source, such as downspouts or surface runoff, to the dry well’s entrance pipe. This can be accomplished by lengthening downspouts or by installing subterranean drainage pipes.
If you are searching for the best Backyard Makeover Company In Atlanta that stands by its reputation, Outdoor Makeover, and Living Spaces is always ready to provide you with the quality services you want. We are a diverse team led by highly trained engineers and incredible visionaries. Need help with Drainage & Erosion Control Installation? Get in touch with us today.
Consult
Each project at Outdoor Makeover and Living Spaces begins with a symphony of listening and understanding. We pay close attention to our clients, immersing ourselves in their hopes and dreams. Our client concierge books a convenient consultation for you and the proper designer based on your objectives and desires. This meeting takes about an hour or two and dives deep into all sorts of possibilities so your yard matches your lifestyle.
Design
This is where your vision takes shape. Our designer will then come up with concepts and estimates for your project. Whether you want a hand-drawn sketch of the design, or the ability to walk through it with 3D Virtual Reality Consultations, we have you covered. Our standard consultation unfolds like a meticulously written score, with a hand-drawn makeover plan revealing the first notes of your outdoor makeover.
Build
Once you have approved the design, the project will go to our Project Manager’s Office. The PMO will ensure you are assigned the right superintendent and foreman to carry your vision across the finish line. They will massage the job to perfection, performing quality control and keeping you updated on the status of your project. Each project is a masterpiece, handcrafted with precision and attention to ensure that your vision is realized in every facet of your outdoor space.
Satisfy
We prioritize quality from your first contact with our office to the moment you enjoy your beautiful, functional outdoor spaces. Our goal is to make this process as soon as possible. From functional and beautiful designs to seamless installation, we want this journey to be exciting and stress-free for our clients! During your final walkthrough, we will train you on all of the systems we have installed and offer you a one-year warranty. Let’s get you booked today!
Our Process
Q: What drainage solutions do you offer?
A: French drains, dry creek beds, swales, erosion-control plantings, and underground drainage systems.
Q: How do I know if I need erosion control?
A: Signs include washed-out soil, pooling water, or foundation damage.
Q: What causes erosion?
A: When it rains, water follows gravity and forms streams. As these grow in size or speed due to volume or slope, they cause damage to soil and everything in their path.
In urban areas, rainwater hits impervious surfaces like roofs and driveways, then runs off through gutters and into designated discharge points, concentrating the flow and worsening erosion.
Q: My leaves keep clogging the drainage box. What should I do?
A: When it rains, it’s often windy. Leaves fall and follow the water to the low point where the drainage box is—because that’s exactly where it should be.
We recommend using a dome cap on the box. Its domed shape traps leaves at the base but still allows water to flow in from the top.
Q: Should I pipe all my downspouts from the gutter?
A: Yes.
Let’s say your house is 3,000 sq. ft.—all the water that hits the roof runs to gutters and then downspouts, which dump it right by the foundation. That much water near your foundation causes wet spots or even water penetration.
Also, saturated soil near the foundation can shift, creating structural issues. At a minimum, downspouts should be piped at least 11 feet from the house. But even at 11 feet, the water can still erode your yard, so we often recommend piping it all the way to a natural area, drainage manhole, or street.
Q: Should I put a dry creek bed or a large pipe to carry water away from my property?
A: Dry creek beds mimic natural rivers and are beautiful, decorative drainage features. They’re installed at the lowest point of the yard and allow surface water to flow while preventing erosion.
They function like water highways—open systems that collect water from all directions and safely direct it. One environmental benefit is that dry creek beds slow water and force some of it into the ground, rather than letting it all run off.
They’re essentially swales (wide channels) that are faced with river rock.
Q: What rocks should we use for dry creek beds?
A: Only river rocks. They’ve been shaped over years of natural water flow and are smooth and round.
There are two ways to buy river rock: bulk and palletized. We recommend palletized because they’ve been cleaned of dirt and sediment. For an enhanced look, we bury landscape boulders alongside the creek to create a natural appearance and keep it from looking artificial.