Why water stands in your yard after rain.
Give it 24 to 36 hours to soak in. Still there? Check the downspouts, the low spots and packed soil.
How long to give the water
24 to 36 hours
Unless it is causing damage. Then do not wait.
How long should water sit in a yard after rain?
As a rule of thumb, give standing water 24 to 36 hours to soak in, unless it is causing new damage, such as water indoors, soil eroding at a foundation, or water over a driveway or patio. If the water is still there after that, check the downspouts, the low spots and how packed the soil is.
Three places to look.
At each downspout.
Roof water can flood the soil where the downspout ends.
In the low spots.
Water flows from higher ground to lower.
Where soil is packed.
Foot traffic, riding mowers and cars pack soil down, and packed soil drains more slowly.
Sources: Anne Arundel County Bureau of Highways and University of Maryland Extension
For a yard that stays wet.
Yard drainage
River rock or a French drain.
French drains
A gravel trench with a pipe inside.
Aeration and overseeding
For soil that is packed down.
GuideHow often to clean gutters
About twice a year, and any time they clog.
Questions
How do I fix standing water in my yard after rain?
Start with where the water comes from. Manage the flow so downspout outlets and other sources do not flood the soil. Where an area still drains poorly, replant it with native perennials or shrubs that tolerate soaked soil.
Does aeration help with drainage?
It can, when packed soil is the cause. Aerating helps relieve compaction by opening channels for air and water to move through the soil. Aeration alone cannot fix soaked soil.
Will standing water kill grass?
It can. Soil that collects extra water and drains slowly will stress or kill grass roots. On a lawn, rain should not keep puddling on the soil surface for a day or more.
When should I get help with a wet yard?
When the water is causing new damage, or is still there after 36 hours. Take photos and video while the water is there, and make notes: where it sits, when the rain stopped and how long it stays. Then call or text (443) 223-8643.
What if the water is coming from a neighbor's yard?
Talk to the neighbor first. Where a neighbor caused the flooding by redirecting gutter downspouts or blocking a drainage pipe, a one-on-one conversation can often solve it. If that fails, a mediator is an optional next step at no cost or low cost. In Maryland, an upstream owner cannot increase the stormwater flowing onto a downstream owner, and a downstream owner cannot block the natural flow.
Get a free estimate.
We do river rock drainage and French drains, and the yard decides which fits. Tell us where the water sits.
