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rain-432770_640Too much of a good thing: That’s exactly what stormwater can become on your commercial property, especially if it’s not properly managed.

Luckily, this potentially costly water problem has telltale signs, so you can immediately spot and address the issue(s).

Here are 10 red flags your commercial property has poor drainage, as well as a closer look into how these drainage issues spurred on by poor stormwater management can damage your Atlanta property.

Risks of Poor Drainage

Even the smallest drainage issues can lead to large problems, so it’s important to identify them as early as possible. The longer you wait to address the stormwater, the more it will cost to repair.

These are just a few of the costly negative effects of poor drainage:

  • Creates unsightly areas on your landscape
  • Causes water intrusion into buildings and structures
  • Damages hardscapes, sidewalks, and roadways
  • Increases insect problems
  • Introduces safety and liability issues for tenants and visitors

Addressing these issues with an up-to-date stormwater management plan will protect your property value and the overall water quality of your water sources.

When Is The Best Time To Address Poor Drainage Issues?

You can tackle drainage issues at any time of the year! There’s a pretty consistent rainfall this time of year, making water problems more prevalent and easier to diagnose.

Also, fall is the time of year when most property managers find budget dollars they need to spend before the year’s end. Drainage projects are ones you know you need to address, so it’s great when you find the money in your budget to handle them.

10 Poor Drainage Red Flags To Look For On Your Property

a stormwater management plan can help improve poor drainageTo see if your property has drainage problems, look for one or more of these warning signs:

  1. Wet areas or standing water for extended periods of time
  2. Water backing up into the building.
  3. Declining and diseased landscape material
  4. Washout areas
  5. Sinkholes
  6. Uneven or cracks in hardscapes or paved areas
  7. Exposed roots of trees and plants
  8. Low areas in landscaped sections
  9. Increased insect activity
  10. Built-up silt on the property

Costly Effects Of Bad Drainage

Any of these signs can have major effects on your property. Think about it this way: The Grand Canyon was created with just a small stream of water. I know that’s an extreme analogy, but the point is that drainage issues will only worsen with time.

And as the problems get worse, the cost of repairs will also increase. The longer you wait, the more materials and labor you’ll need to remedy the problem since the impacted area will continue to grow.

In addition to the price of repairs, poor drainage can also create liability issues such as slip-and-falls, which can be expensive. Neglecting these unsafe conditions will make your site an unattractive property to tenants and prospects.

Many state and local governments are also enforcing codes and fees for commercial properties, requiring them to improve their stormwater water management.

How To Fix Drainage Issues

detention and retention ponds manage excess stormwater runoff If you notice signs of drainage problems, you have several different options to solve them. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Diverting Excess Water

French drains and grading can help keep the stormwater or irrigation runoff away from your buildings and direct it toward the desired location. You can also use low-impact development techniques like flow-through planters next to the building, bio-swales, infiltration planters, disconnected downspouts, splash basins, and green roofs to keep water damaging structures.

For washed-out or sunken areas, you can divert the water to its intended location or install materials to help with the soil erosion. Stones like riprap or rover slicks are a great solution. Plants, trees, and grasses can also stabilize the soil.

You can install trench drains in walkways and other hardscape areas to prevent standing water and the potential damage caused by it. Installing permeable pavers also helps eliminate standing water.

Improving Plant And Soil Health

Drains and grading can also help with declining plants’ health and installing turf and grasses around the plants that will help absorb and slow down excess water.

Water washes away soil, exposing roots and creating low areas in the landscape. You can add materials like mulch around plants and beds. Mulch will help absorb water and keep soil from washing away. You can also grade the landscape to direct the water away from these plants and low areas.

When you reduce the amount of standing water on your property with drains, plants, or other materials, you’ll help eliminate breeding grounds for insects and reduce the amount of silt left on structures.

Does Your Commercial Property Have Poor Drainage?

You need to take action as soon as you notice any drainage red flags to prevent further damage.

Start by calling a commercial landscaping company to create a custom stormwater management plan for your commercial property.

HighGrove Partners has an experienced, certified team that can help you with all of your water management services. We offer things like detention and retention pond renovation and maintenance, grading, drainage, sediment and erosion control, lake clarification, and rainwater reclamation.

When you’re ready to solve your commercial property’s drainage problems, call us at 678-298-0550 or contact us online.

Last modified: June 3, 2021

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