We Can Help You Fix Pooling Water On Your Lawn Or Landscape
We install and repair landscape drainage systems
Drainage System Installations And Repairs
We install and repair landscape drainage systems
One of the keys to keeping your landscaping (and property) in good shape is ensuring you have proper drainage in place. Drainage issues can cause premature erosion, property damage, damage to buildings and foundations, and they can be very expensive to repair. Depending on what your drainage issues are there could be a number of ways to address the problem and solve it once and for all.
What Type Of Drainage Problem Do You Have?
- Is there water pooling up on your property?
- Does your property have soil erosion due to heavy rain?
- Do you have soft spots in your lawns or gardens?
- Do you have standing water around your foundation?
- Is your driveway or parking area a wet mess when it rains?
Without proper drainage in place your landscaping and lawn areas can be prone to flooding, it can drown out your expensive plants, erode away expensive hardscaping, and even cause damage to your structures and their foundations.
Harvest Outdoor Living is a landscaping contractor based out of Bel Air, Maryland and serving Harford County and the surrounding area. We specialize in installing lawn and garden drainage systems including drainage swales, french drains, and more. We offer real solutions for properties with a drainage or standing water problem.
Many of our clients properties suffer from poor drainage or have drainage systems that just weren’t implemented correctly from the start which has led to significant erosion problems, water pooling, soft spots, and flooding in their lawns, gardens and landscapes. We can help solve these problems by developing a solid plan for your property.
What Is A Drainage Swale?
A drainage swale is a shallow channel or depression that is designed to carry and manage stormwater runoff. It is typically found in landscaped areas, such as along the side of a road or where a culvert outflow is located. Swales are used to intercept and convey excess water from storms or other sources to a drainage outlet, such as a storm drain or a natural waterway.
Drainage swales are often used as an alternative to traditional stormwater management systems, such as underground pipes, because they can be more visually appealing and have a variety of additional benefits, such as providing habitat for wildlife and helping to reduce erosion. Drainage swales are typically lined with river rock or with vegetation, such as grasses or native plants, which helps to filter pollutants and sediment from the water as it flows through the channel.
What Is A French Drain?
A French Drain is an ingenious and effective drainage solution used to redirect water away from areas that are prone to excess moisture. Named after Henry Flagg French who popularized it in the 1850s, a French Drain consists of a trench filled with gravel or rock containing a perforated pipe that directs water away from a specific area.
The French Drain's primary purpose is to prevent ground and surface water from penetrating and damaging building foundations, landscapes, and other structures. It's commonly used in areas with poor soil drainage or in places that experience heavy rainfall.
Here's how it works: Water flows into the trench, is collected by the perforated pipe, and is then redirected to a more suitable area like a storm drain or a less critical part of the property. The rock or gravel in the trench not only assists in filtering debris but also aids in the even distribution of the water flow.
A French Drain can be a crucial element in residential and commercial properties to manage water efficiently, prevent flooding, protect structures, and maintain landscape integrity. By providing a controlled pathway for water, a French Drain helps keep your property dry, stable, and free from potential water-related damages.
Interested in installing or learning more about French Drains? Reach out to our drainage experts today, and we'll guide you through the best solutions tailored to your property's needs.
What Is A Drainage Swale?
A drainage swale is a shallow channel or depression that is designed to carry and manage stormwater runoff. It is typically found in landscaped areas, such as along the side of a road or where a culvert outflow is located. Swales are used to intercept and convey excess water from storms or other sources to a drainage outlet, such as a storm drain or a natural waterway.
Drainage swales are often used as an alternative to traditional stormwater management systems, such as underground pipes, because they can be more visually appealing and have a variety of additional benefits, such as providing habitat for wildlife and helping to reduce erosion. Drainage swales are typically lined with river rock or with vegetation, such as grasses or native plants, which helps to filter pollutants and sediment from the water as it flows through the channel.
Drainage System Installation and Repair
- Drainage system design
- Drainage system installation
- Underground drainage and piping
- Drainage swale installation
- French drain installations
- Drainage system repairs
- Drain box and catch basin installation
- Downspout drainage systems
- Stream and creek beds for channeling water
- Drainage problem correction
Does Your Property Have Water Drainage Problems?
Drainage issues should be addressed during the landscape design process and before your actual landscape is installed. Because every property we work on is different a good landscape designer will take the time to understand how water may flow from your property, what type of soil conditions you have, and they will also know and understand the rainfall in your area and/or how high the static water table might be. Knowing all of these factors can help us plan out an effective drainage solution for your specific property.
It’s often during sustained and heavy rainfall when a drainage problem will surface. After a few days of rain, a property with poor drainage will become obvious. You’ll visibly see water pooling in low spots, your lawn or gardens will be muddy, you may see erosion taking place, and a host of other problems. If the water table (sub-surface water) is high in your area, then rainfall only makes the problem that much worse.
Drainage Problems We Solve
High Water Tables
A high water table can pose a challenge for any landscape. The water table is water that lies close to the soil surface. It can vary depending on where you are located. If you have a high water table then the low lying areas of your landscape can often have pooling water. Often the best solution for a high water table is to plant appropriate trees, shrubs, and other plants that are capable of handling these wet, boggy, conditions. These are often plantings that natively grow in riparian areas.
Another option to solve a high water table drainage problem is to raise the lawn areas or planting and garden bed areas up. You can do this by mounding up areas with additional soil and appropriate plantings to keep it held together or you can even used raised garden beds.
Excess Water Pooling On The Surface
If your property has clay-based soil then you may have problems with surface water pooling up. Clay is a very dense material and doesn’t allow for good drainage. Surface water issues can often be solved by properly grading the property away from the home and into a swale or french drain that can channel the water away from your property and into an existing storm drain or drainage ditch of some type.
One of the most popular and effective drainage systems to install for a surface water problem is the French drain. This is a time-tested drainage solution that gathers water and channels it to a place underground (usually a trench filled with gravel and perforated pipe) where the water can take its time percolating down through the soil.
More Ideas For Solving Your Drainage Problems
Careful Construction Practices – Often drainage problems surface after extensive construction or site-work has been completed on a property. Activities such as removing and placing fill, property grading, and digging of foundations or footings can alter the drainage on a property. When construction occurs on your property care must be taken to avoid compaction of the soil and also to make sure that your property is graded to channel water away from low-lying areas and your home or buildings foundation.
Regulate Your Irrigation System – Many irrigation systems are setup to deliver water to a lawn, garden, or landscape over a set period of time rather than on the needs of those specific plants. It’s a good idea to set your irrigation to meet the needs of your specific landscape rather than set it on a timed schedule. For example, if you’re irrigation system runs for an hour in the evening, but the plantings are sufficiently watered within 15 minutes, that extra 45 minutes of watering doesn’t make much sense and likely contributes to the poor drainage issues.
Check For Broken Plumbing Or Sewer Lines – In some cases, poor drainage, or pooling, standing water can be the symptoms of a broken, clogged, or corroded sewer or drain line. If your drainage issues are accompanied by a foul sewage smell, then this could be part of your problem. We also see pooling water caused by broken municipal water pipes or sprinkler pipes. The broken piping causes the excess water to pool near the surface.
Adapt Plantings To Site Conditions – If your property is continually suffering from drainage problems due to a high water table then it’s a good idea to make sure your plantings are “drinkers” you want to carefully select plants, trees, and shrubs that require lots of water or that thrive in excess moisture.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation to discuss your drainage system or to correct drainage issues you might be experiencing with your property we’d be happy to meet with you. Please call 443-766-4831 or fill out our online form and we’ll get right back to you.
It was a great experience working with Tom Riley and his crew from Harvest. He was very accommodating and patient. A big thank you and shout out to them
Our family is so happy that we hired Tom Kiley- Harvest Outdoor Living to design and create two major hardscaping projects to enhance the established landscape of our home this Summer. The entirety of our projects were handled with knowledge and expertise from conception to execution. The craftsmanship displayed in every aspect of the creation is the combination of experience and great skill. Tom Kiley is a Hands - On business owner, ensuring that the entire project was completed flawlessly ,exceeding both his and our expectations. Despite the extreme heat, the Harvest Outdoor Living crew worked long hours from early morning until evening, always respectful, friendly and pleasant, keeping the work site neat and tidy after each shift. God Bless the Three Amigos ! While we were looking for a simple sidewalk solution, Tom's inspired vision of a bi-level enclosed garden, featuring large boulders and flowering trees and plants ,illuminated at twilight intrigued us. We asked for a curving, hand cut heated bluestone sidewalk across our front yard that wraps around our existing front porch. This sidewalk, combined with another constructed with Cambridge Paving Stones adds a luxurious curb appeal. The second, more difficult project involved a combination of many skilled professionals ,including demolition experts, engineering plans and permits and a tremendous amount of hard physical labor. This project was also completed above and beyond our expectations and has solved our water issues. All plantings and replanting's were professional and successful. Ultimately, we have been given the landscaping improvements we always needed and wanted, yet never imagined could possibly exist ! Everyone comments on how beautiful our new landscape looks. We could not be happier with the results.
Tom and his crew transformed the empty space left in our backyard after the pool delete into a beautiful patio that we love to use, and that all our neighbors admire. Job started on time, completed within our budget, and perfect in every detail!
We were looking to do a complete backyard overhaul. The main problem was water sitting and the grass always felt like mush days after it rained. The project included a paver patio for better outdoor living space, regrading the yard, burrying some down spouts, and installing two French drains. Along the way we added In a tree removal, sectioning off the tree line with some mulch, and redoing the broken lattice under the sunroom. Last night's rain was an ultimate test of his work. There's no standing puddles and the water was rivering away during the rain like it was supposed to. Additionally the patio looks great. During the initial estimate Tom really took his time, asked the right questions and appeared to genuinely care about our problems and how to fix it. The other two who came out weren't as personable and didn't truly listen. Additionally, Tom's prices were fair for the work that was being asked. I'd highly recommend talking to Tom about an estimate if you're looking to do any type of outdoor project.
I was extremely happy with this company. They were respectful, knowledgeable, and did an amazing job. Thank you again for fixing the problem and much more.
Harvest Outdoor Living did a terrific mulching gardens, providing new storm design system and constructing new paver sidewalk. Job started on date stated in contract and completed on time and no change orders. Tom’s attention detail was so good you would think his team was working at his home.
We would highly recommend Harvest Outdoor Living for all of your landscaping needs. Our yard was overgrown and more high maintenance than we wanted or had time to deal with. We reached out to Tom for a quote and he responded quickly with a fair estimate. After we agreed to the quote, Tom scheduled our job for a week after. He and his team are professional and highly skilled. He took our mess of a yard and made it look spectacular. It’s better than we imagined. We could not be happier with the results.
Harvest Outdoor Living did a miraculous job on my landscaping design and requirements despite having many challenges. I found Tom Kiley to be the ultimate professional who patiently answered my questions and designed a solution that is perfect for our environment. Tom’s experience and expertise made the renovation a success. Tom earned 5 Stars for the work at my home. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
Quality of work outstanding. Harvest Team pleasant, courteous, and professional. Delivered 100% on all agreed upon services. Communication flawless. Five star rating well deserved and earned. If you have landscaping needs, do not miss the opportunity to work with the Harvest Team! They are best in class!
without question this was a wonderful experience working with this company from beginning to finish. it was an effort to remedy a major drainage issues we have been having for years, with various slopes and terrain features to contend with. i interviewed the owner Tom, and as an engineer and former contractor the solutions seemed plausible. His price was fair and the work was completed within the timeframe he says it would. There was a spotless cleanup afterwards and as importantly his crew Saul and Carlos worked extremely well with Tom and their experience was evident. Honestly, i’ll be shocked if this doesn’t fit the bill as stated. Incredible company.
I am very happy with the work done by Harvest Landscape. Everything went as planned and the project turned out beautifully! I would definitely recommend.
I would absolutely recommend Harvest Landscape! Tom was extremely nice, professional and polite throughout the entire project. He worked with us to come up with the exact design we wanted within our budget and was so patient throughout the whole process. He was always on time and even started the project earlier than expected. He pays close attention to detail and him and his team work quickly and were very efficient. We will definitely be hiring Harvest landscape again for future landscape and hardscape projects. We are extremely satisfied and just love our new patio and fire pit so much!
Tom and team did a fantastic job on our patio. Totally changed the look and use of our backyard. Quality work from beginning to end. Highly recommend.
I had asked Tom about cutting back our mulch bed out front and adding a stone retaining wall - was very happy with the results! I also love that he used the plants we had and rearranged them to make them feel new - it helped frame the space while also helping us to keep within our budget. Will definitely be reaching out to him and his team again.
Tom really listens to what you need done and his expertise is evident. He's done an excellent job with the yardwork and helped me out twice. He's a keeper!
Tom was great to work with! He worked with me quite a bit to come up with a plan for my landscaping and used 3D rendering to show me example photos of what the work would look like! He built a beautiful retainer wall and put in lovely plants to spruce up the look of my home. There was excellent communication throughout the entire project. Thanks so much Tom! Will absolutely recommend you to others!!
Very professional and dependable. With an eye for detail, my yard has never looked better! Looking forward to future projects with Harvest!
Our neighbor recommended Tom and we are happy we called him. He stopped by our property and give us great ideas on how to create new garden beds and installing trees, as well as regrading and establishing our lawn. He was very diligent in his work and even came back to fix some issues that was caused by heavy winds. We will definitely use his services again and will recommend Tom to anyone we know.
I have used Harvest Landcare for 2 years now for my spring clean up and mulching. He also trimmed bushes in the fall. Very attentive and responsive and does great work. Highly recommend.
Harvest Landcare has done several mulching and landscape projects around my house. He is reliable, priced right and has a lot of attention to detail. I highly recommend.
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