Does your Bethesda MD property have drainage and erosion control issues? It may. Here are some common signs:
- After it rains, your yard is soggy and “squishy” for extended periods of time
- Heavy rains tend to wash your soil downhill, causing it to collect and pile up at the bottom, changing the lay of your land over time
- Streams develop at various points on your property during thunderstorms
- If you have flower beds, your mulch keeps getting washed away
- You see mulch or soil on your sidewalks after a moderate or heavy rain
- You wind up with standing water on your patio and sidewalks
- You’ve got water leaking into your basement
- You’re starting to notice cracks in your foundation
Those last two are especially prominent signs that your Bethesda MD property has serious drainage and erosion control issues, and really get to root of why it’s important to fix them. If they are left unchecked, then over time, they’ll only get worse and cause damage to your home that can run into tens of thousands of dollars (or more). Not good.
Bethesda MD drainage and erosion control problems come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on the severity of your issue, there are a number of approaches we can take to fix it. In cases where the problem is relatively slight, the solution could be as simple as planting strategically placed ground cover.
There are tons of great options here, so mostly, it comes down to us working with you to get an understanding of what your tastes and preferences are, because each of the different ground cover possibilities has a different aesthetic.
In this part of the country, broadly speaking, we can break ground cover into two categories: Ferns and Other. Where ferns are concerned, some of the more popular options are:
- Royal Fern
- Wood Fern
- Lady Fern
- Cinnamon Fern
- And Christmas Fern
If you’re looking to simultaneously add a splash of color to your lawn and solve your minor Bethesda MD drainage and erosion control problem, then the following plants might be more to your liking:
- Joe Pye Weed
- Violets
- Woodland Phlox
- White Wood Aster
- Virginia Bluebells
- Or Great Blue Lobelia
If none of those are to your liking, there are plenty of other options available. Just tell us what kind of “look” you’re going for, and we’ll see if we can find something that suits your tastes and preferences.
If ground cover doesn’t work for you, we can also look into the possibility of strategically planted shrubs. Again, there are a number of shrubs that could work, so it comes down to your personal preferences. Some of the options include:
- Elderberry
- Silky Dogwood
- Ninebark
- Or Red/Black Chokeberry
Unfortunately, some Bethesda MD drainage and erosion control problems can’t be solved by something as simple as adding ground cover. That’s okay, there are other options we can employ, the first of which is the addition of a well-placed retaining wall.
These are incredibly effective erosion control solutions and can be used to safely direct water away from your home.
Sometimes a retaining wall on its own is enough, but more commonly, it’s a combination of a retaining wall and some type of drainage system that ultimately gets the job done. As the name suggests, a drainage system’s primary job is to redirect the flow of water to a location where it won’t cause any damage or harm.
Broadly speaking, drainage systems come in two flavors: Aboveground and below ground. Both can work, and ultimately, which one is optimal in your specific case depends on the particulars of your property.
Really, all an above ground drainage system is, is a clearly defined channel that collects and manages where the water goes. Below ground drains (like a French drain system) accomplish the same goal, but as the name suggests, are less visible.
Ultimately, drainage and erosion solutions don’t exist in isolation, and that’s actually great news for you. After all, why “just” solve a problem when you can do it with flair and style that enhances the overall aesthetic of your property. Yes, we’re talking about landscaping.
No matter how much you loved your home when you first bought it, if you’re like most people, you’ve got a “wish list” of changes and improvements you’d like to make, and many of those probably center on your property’s landscaping.
In addition to solving practical problems, landscaping can turn your average looking lawn into an eye-popping showplace that you and your family will absolutely love spending time in.
The problem though, is you don’t want to leave your property’s landscaping to just anyone. You want to work with a seasoned professional with decades of experience and a proven track record.
We are that company. We’ve been proudly serving the region since 1979, and in that time, have created hundreds of lush landscapes for our legion of satisfied clients. Be sure to spend some time checking out the “Design Gallery” section of our website and see for yourself.
Not only will it give you an opportunity to evaluate the quality of the work we do, but if you’re struggling to clearly define your own landscaping goals, the Design Gallery will give you plenty of ideas and inspiration.
We’d love to not just solve any erosion and drainage problems you may be having, but also help you realize your landscaping dreams, turning your home into the paradise you always knew it could be. Give us a call when you’re ready to get started!
