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DrainageWithout drainage, all your hard work will be in vain and every penny spent on a beautifully landscaped garden will have to be renewed, UNLESS you take care of this key aspect of your garden. One lesson I learned early in my construction training was that drainage must be understood before I could progress to at least ground level. In fact I used to think "why on earth do I have to learn about that" when all I wanted to do was 'BUILD'. Had I not paid attention then, every lawn, patio, path and flower bed would have resulted in a detour to pond heaven, but fortunately I did and my work turned out very different to how it might have. I always maintain that anyone... and I mean anyone can design a garden that is practical and aesthetically pleasing for themselves to enjoy, because it's the purpose and pleasure that you're aiming for. I live in the UK and the climate means that we get our fair share of rain, which has to go somewhere. If we suffered long droughts the need for drainage wouldn't be quite so immediate but as things are...we must allow for it. In essence all that has to be considered is 'where will all the water go'?. Unless you have to move any excess water to a higher level by mechanical means, a pump for example then it's simply a matter of gravity doing the work for you. For flat surfaces that are sealed allow a fall to a drainage point and for all other areas allow the water to drain 'through' such as with lawns and flower beds for example. If you have an existing problem to deal with you have to weigh up the cost of renewing the problem area or introduce outlets such as gulleys to divert water, or use land drains. These can be a run of pipes laid below the surface with holes in the uppermost part that allow water to drain through and into the pipe, then by forming falls with the pipework to disperse the water into a drain or a lower level. At some time excess water will run to an outlet or if adequately allowed for, through the ground naturally. One area where this is important is behind walls particularly if it's a retaining wall. This can be done by a land drain laid behind the wall as described above or by means of 'weep holes' that are 'left out' in the wall. These will be spaced regularly to allow excess water collecting behind the wall, to be released through the wall. Introducing drainage to your lawns will need pre-set levels to be laid, in order to disperse water naturally 'through' the lawn to a point where it no longer causes concern. Mike Lyons.....Any questions! Please contact me. I'd welcome your comments, tips and suggestions, for more information click here (BOOKMARK HOMEPAGE FOR QUICK REFERENCE)
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