solvida

How to Manage Water Runoff from Neighboring Yards

Most homes in suburban neighborhoods share a side yard. In fact the average distance between two homes is quite narrow, ranging between 10 and 20 feet. The gutters along the side of both homes gather stormwater from the roof and dump it between homes on the shared property line. If this water is not properly managed, the grass will die, wooden fences will rot, and soil will erode. While there are a number of options out there to help you manage stormwater coming from your property, you cannot guarantee that your neighbor will do the same. In this post, you’ll find 8 ways to manage water runoff from neighboring yards.

Diagnose the Problem

The very first step to resolving a water issue is to find the source and verify that it is indeed causing a significant problem that needs fixing. The easiest way to accomplish this is to hire a qualified landscape contractor near you to perform a site evaluation. Make sure the landscape contractor has experience with outdoor drainage solutions.

Talk to Your Neighbor

If you are confident that the water runoff is coming from your neighbor’s home, you should speak with them directly. Discuss what you have observed and explain any existing damage or potential damage to your property and perhaps their property as well. Speak first about some easy solutions; ask them to check the irrigation system for leaks, to review the irrigation watering schedule to rule out over-watering, and finally ask if they have a drainage system in place and if it’s functioning properly.

Build a Barrier

Another option to control water runoff coming from a neighbor’s property is to build a barrier on your side of the shared property line. A physical barrier would redirect excess water away from your property to prevent lawn flooding and erosion. Depending on the amount of runoff to be managed, this barrier could be a simple strip of metal lawn edging or a stone retaining wall.

Install a French Drain

A French drain is an underground perforated pipe that removes surface water. A French drain system installed along the property line would collect excess water under the surface and deposit the collected water at the end of the line, where it typically exits through a pop-up emitter.

Dig a Swale

A swale is essentially a narrow and shallow ditch. You could dig a swale on your side of the shared property line to divert excess water coming from other properties. When digging the swale, it should slope in the direction you want to route the unwanted water to and lead off the property to a safe area away from homes.

Correct Yard Grading

The soil in a properly graded yard should have a smooth downward slope away from your foundation. A poorly graded yard will show water pooling in low spots, soil erosion, and have an adverse effect on plant and grass life. By adding or removing soil, you can correct the grade of your yard.

Create a Berm

A berm is simply an elevated or raised physical barrier. A berm can be created with soil, rock, sand, and other natural landscaping materials to stop water from flooding your property and move it elsewhere.

Install a Fence Kickboard

If the water runoff from your neighbor’s home is coming into your yard under a shared fence, you could nail a kickboard to the bottom of your fence. The kickboard will serve as a barrier, deterring the water from entering your property. If this is a shared, wooden fence, make sure to use pressure-treated lumber that is meant for ground contact and resists wood rot.