Water is a powerful force. It can nourish a garden, but it can also destroy a foundation. In Ames, IA, homeowners frequently struggle with drainage issues. The topography of the area, combined with the dense clay soil prevalent in Story County, creates a perfect storm for water pooling. If you notice standing water in your yard days after a rainstorm, or if your sump pump is working overtime, you likely have a landscape drainage problem that requires professional intervention.
Why Ames Soil Retains Water
The soil in Ames, IA is rich and fertile, which is great for agriculture, but it has a high clay content. Clay particles are microscopic and pack together tightly, leaving little room for water to drain through. Instead of soaking into the ground, rainwater sits on top or runs off across the surface.
When this water runs toward your house, it creates hydrostatic pressure against your basement walls. Over time, this pressure causes cracks, leaks, and eventually, a wet basement. Solving this issue starts outside, not inside.
Grading: The First Line of Defense
The most effective way to manage water is through proper grading. The ground surrounding your home should slope away from the foundation. In many older homes in Ames, IA, the soil near the foundation has settled over the years, creating a "negative grade" that funnels water directly toward the house.
Larkin Landscape & Design specializes in re-grading properties. We bring in fill dirt to build up the area around the foundation and shape the land to direct water toward swales or storm drains. A "swale" is a shallow, grassy depression that acts as a channel for water. When designed correctly, it blends seamlessly into your lawn while protecting your home during heavy Iowa storms.
Burying Downspouts
A common mistake in many Ames, IA homes is having short downspouts that dump roof runoff right at the corner of the house. A 1,000-square-foot roof sheds about 600 gallons of water during a one-inch rainstorm. Dumping that volume of water next to your foundation is asking for trouble.
The solution is to bury the downspouts. We connect your gutters to rigid PVC pipes buried underground, transporting the water 20 or 30 feet away from the home. This water is then released via a "pop-up emitter" in the yard, where it can disperse safely without causing erosion.
French Drains and Dry Creek Beds
For yards in Ames, IA that are essentially "bowls" where water collects with nowhere to go, a French drain may be necessary. This involves digging a trench, lining it with fabric, and filling it with gravel and a perforated pipe. The water enters the pipe and is carried away to a lower elevation.
For a more aesthetic solution, consider a Dry Creek Bed. This uses river rock and boulders to create a landscaped feature that looks like a natural stream bed. It functions as a drain when it rains but adds visual interest and texture to the landscape when it is dry.
Conclusion
Ignoring drainage problems is a gamble that rarely pays off. The cost of waterproofing a basement far exceeds the cost of fixing the landscape drainage. For residents of Ames, IA, managing stormwater is a critical part of homeownership. By partnering with drainage experts, you can protect your biggest investment and reclaim your soggy yard, ensuring that your property remains dry and stable regardless of the weather.
Why Ames Soil Retains Water
The soil in Ames, IA is rich and fertile, which is great for agriculture, but it has a high clay content. Clay particles are microscopic and pack together tightly, leaving little room for water to drain through. Instead of soaking into the ground, rainwater sits on top or runs off across the surface.
When this water runs toward your house, it creates hydrostatic pressure against your basement walls. Over time, this pressure causes cracks, leaks, and eventually, a wet basement. Solving this issue starts outside, not inside.
Grading: The First Line of Defense
The most effective way to manage water is through proper grading. The ground surrounding your home should slope away from the foundation. In many older homes in Ames, IA, the soil near the foundation has settled over the years, creating a "negative grade" that funnels water directly toward the house.
Larkin Landscape & Design specializes in re-grading properties. We bring in fill dirt to build up the area around the foundation and shape the land to direct water toward swales or storm drains. A "swale" is a shallow, grassy depression that acts as a channel for water. When designed correctly, it blends seamlessly into your lawn while protecting your home during heavy Iowa storms.
Burying Downspouts
A common mistake in many Ames, IA homes is having short downspouts that dump roof runoff right at the corner of the house. A 1,000-square-foot roof sheds about 600 gallons of water during a one-inch rainstorm. Dumping that volume of water next to your foundation is asking for trouble.
The solution is to bury the downspouts. We connect your gutters to rigid PVC pipes buried underground, transporting the water 20 or 30 feet away from the home. This water is then released via a "pop-up emitter" in the yard, where it can disperse safely without causing erosion.
French Drains and Dry Creek Beds
For yards in Ames, IA that are essentially "bowls" where water collects with nowhere to go, a French drain may be necessary. This involves digging a trench, lining it with fabric, and filling it with gravel and a perforated pipe. The water enters the pipe and is carried away to a lower elevation.
For a more aesthetic solution, consider a Dry Creek Bed. This uses river rock and boulders to create a landscaped feature that looks like a natural stream bed. It functions as a drain when it rains but adds visual interest and texture to the landscape when it is dry.
Conclusion
Ignoring drainage problems is a gamble that rarely pays off. The cost of waterproofing a basement far exceeds the cost of fixing the landscape drainage. For residents of Ames, IA, managing stormwater is a critical part of homeownership. By partnering with drainage experts, you can protect your biggest investment and reclaim your soggy yard, ensuring that your property remains dry and stable regardless of the weather.