Potomac MD Drainage & Erosion Control

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Contact us today to schedule a Potomac, MD drainage and erosion control consultation, during which we'll discuss which drainage and erosion control applications will best protect the value of your Potomac, MD home.

Erosion Control Engineering

Drainage Design

Erosion Control Construction

Potomac MD Drainage & Erosion Control

Stay Safe, Save Money! Deal Quickly with Erosion and Drainage Problems

If you own a home at the bottom of a slope, you are probably better acquainted than you like with drainage and erosion issues affecting Potomac, MD properties. The terrain invites problems, caused mainly by pressure from water as it drains over the slope, pushing at the soil.

Slope problems can also affect homes on the top of the hill, and on the slope itself, not just those built at the bottom. If your property has hills and uneven terrain, you need to be on top of your drainage and erosion situation in Potomac, MD.

What Causes the Problem?

Water from above flows to lower elevations. The fact that water runs downhill is a natural phenomenon. And it causes most drainage issues. During a storm, after a heavy rainfall or when snow and ice melt, the problem is compounded.

At those times, there is simply too much water for the soil to handle. Runoff goes down the slope and heads toward your home. Or if your house sits on top of the slope, the soil can wash away as water cascades down the hill, making your site less stable.

Other contributing factors are:

  • soil that doesn’t easily absorb moisture
  • surfaces like patios and walkways that are paved and direct runoff in the direction of the house, garage or other structure
  • rough terrain that naturally holds runoff
  • gutters, roof drains and downspouts that are clogged, damaged or not up to the job of handling runoff
  • lack of a proper drainage system

What Can You Do Yourself?

The best time to make sure you won’t have drainage and erosion issues in Potomac, MD, is when you buy your home.

Is it newly built? If you are building a home, have your contractor explain the steps he has taken to assure proper drainage and erosion control for your Potomac, MD new construction. He needs to take into consideration the type of soil and the grading of the slope. This has a major impact on preventing future problems.

Are you buying an older home? Make sure it the inspector knows how to judge grading and slopes. Ask about prior problems with the home. Talk to homeowners in the neighborhood to find out what problems they experience at different times of the year.

Maintain Your Drains

One of the most effective ways to prevent drainage and erosion problems in Potomac, MD, is by keeping your gutters and downspouts free of debris and in good shape. If done routinely, this task takes little time, effort and money.

Every spring and fall, check the outside of your gutters and downspouts for signs of water damage, streaking or watermarks. If they have holes or cracks, replace them.

Check the drip line for signs of erosion. That’s a sure sign that your gutters have been overflowing during rainy periods. Clean out the debris to keep water flowing smoothly.

Use Gravel and Plants

During the next normal rainstorm, go outside and see how your gutters and downspouts are behaving. Is there spillover? That could mean your gutters are too small for the job they are required to handle. Have them replaced with pipes that has a larger capacity.

You can also protect the soil beneath the drip line, under your gutters and downspouts, using gravel, vegetation or a mix of the two.

  • Add gravel at the drip line. First put a sheet of landscape fabric, then add bluestone or pea gravel in a line about 10 to 12 inches wide and 3 to 4 inches deep. Protect the gravel with plastic edging, available from the home improvement store.
  • Another good method is planting grass, ground cover, bushes or other hardy vegetation in the area.
  • Combine plants with gravel, a good way to keep the area looking attractive.

Install Splash Blocks and Extensions

During a heavy rain, it is common for hundreds of gallons of water to run off your roof. Unless it is properly directed away from your home, all that water can cause trouble for your foundation. It’s asking a lot of your gutters and downspouts to handle that amount of water.

But you can improve their performance by adding splash blocks to the pipe outlet and extensions at the discharge point. All are available at your local home improvement store.

Splash Blocks: To direct the flow of water away from your foundation, add a plastic or concrete splash block to the end spot of your pipe. You can also put three- to four-inch stones and broken pieces of concrete along the path that the water takes when it moves beyond your splash guard. This helps to protect the soil beneath.

Extensions: You can buy corrugated plastic pipes that are non-perforated to attach to your downspouts. These help direct the rain flow farther away from your home. You can simply lay them on the ground or bury them.

Be careful where you direct the water with the extension. Discharge it where it won’t contribute to the problem. Have water flow into a rain garden, a structure or a container that captures runoff.

These do-it-yourself steps can save you from many types of drainage and erosion issues in Potomac, MD. But terrain problems, the needs for specific types of drainage systems and foundation complications require the help of experienced professionals.

Professional Help

When your home in Potomac, MD is beset with drainage and erosion problems, you need to take steps quickly to protect it. You can do routine maintenance yourself, but foundation problems and major erosion need the help of trained experts.

Your home is your major investment. You need to do whatever it takes to protect its integrity and value. Ignoring the problem is literally sending money down the storm drain. Left unfixed, drainage and erosion problems in Potomac, MD, can destabilize the foundation of your home, cause cracks in walls, result in holes in the ground, loss of soil, and a yard that is largely unusable.

Professionals know how to analyze your property and install the proper system to ensure your home’s safety and your property’s accessibility.

They understand when and where to install:

  • Storm drains
  • Stone drainage swale areas
  • Below-grade systems of drains and pipes
  • French drains
  • Dry steam beds
  • Waterproof foundations

And drainage and erosion control solutions in the hands of experts add value to your home, increasing not just access but also its beauty. Just take a look at these photos of actual installations.

Call the Experts

The team here at East Coast Landscape Design has been in business since 1979, serving homeowners in the Washington, D.C. area, including Potomac, MD, for drainage and erosion concerns. We have a team that includes a senior geotechnical engineer, skilled landscapers and stonemasons who have experience with all types of terrain and soils.

Our motto is, “We can help you build your dream yard.” Watch this short video to see what we can do for you.

Our firm handles a wide range of exterior property issues, not just drainage and erosion problems in Potomac, MD. Homeowners and businesses rely on the expertise of our staff at East Coast Landscape for:

  • Walkways
  • Retaining walls
  • Driveways
  • Outdoor kitchens
  • Patios
  • Firepits and fireplaces
  • Outdoor lighting
  • All types of landscaping needs

Trust your home and property to the skilled professionals at East Coast Landscape Design. Call us or use the contact form on the website for a no-obligation estimate. We’re here to help.

See what some of our customers think

Maryland landscaping customer

The retaining wall and paver patio was tastefully blended into the back of our house and the contours and seams were impeccable.... The field stone terrace garden plots were truly a work of art and science... Thanks again for such a beautiful job.

- Dr. E. Bothwell
Olney MD

Maryland landscaping customer

One year after you finished our landscaping, I must say that we are overwhelmed at how fabulous you have made our home look.

- N. Bobys
Rockville, MD

Maryland landscaping customer

We are thrilled with our new stream and pond. We waited a long time, did a lot of research and talked to many landscapers about this work. Although we were expecting your work to be good, it turned out better than our expectations. Your attitude, as well as your crew's, was professional and upbeat...

- K. Ryan and M. Koslow
Washington DC

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