Drainage Issues
Water is a big deal in North Carolina. With our (often) abundant rainfall, (mostly) clay soils and undulating, sloping topography, many homeowners find themselves with crawl space wetness, mold and/or foundation settling, cracking and/or wet, soggy yards. These are issues often caused by poorly graded landscapes or negative grades. Erosion, gullying and standing water create potential tripping, safety and other environmental issues. These are all serious problems that demand attention…
I am Mike Lehmann, registered landscape architect and owner of the Lehmann Design Group. My company specializes in identifying landscape solutions or fixes that cause so many of the foundation wetness, mold, settling and cracking problems so common here in the Triangle, usually as part of a larger landscape masterplan, however, it can take the form of a stand-alone drainage plan. (Note, I am not a contractor, I identify landscape issues causing or exacerbating your water related problems then propose solutions.)
This can start as simply as an initial walk through consultation, up to one hour in length to examine the likely issues involved. Fee: $150.00
I could follow up this initial meeting with a paid, stand alone drainage plan or report, or…
Your drainage plan could become a part of a larger landscape architectural masterplan. A landscape masterplan would comprehensively show/identify all proposed landscape related solutions to the wetness/drainage issues you face. These might include…
- Re-grading to eliminate negative grades or slopes
- Adding or extending drain lines away from foundation areas (with cleanouts to be maintainable)
- Re-grading to remove sources of erosion, gullying or standing water
- Rain gardens
- Rain harvesting systems
- Drip irrigation systems
- Plantings designed to “soak up” excess water
- Minimizing impervious surfaces
Drainage problems are probably the most serious landscape issues a homeowner will face. Ignoring these issues, or putting off a comprehensive, permanent fix often just makes the situation worse.
If you, your home inspector, structural engineer, waterproofing, crawl space, foundation or emergency services contractor, Realtor or home staging professional has identified possible or potential landscape drainage issues that are likely contributing to your foundation or structural problems or other wetness issues, give me a call and let’s set up a time to take a look.
With a plan of action in place, you’ll be able to implement your plan, confident that dryer days are just ahead!
