Landscape Drainage Solutions

If pooling water is a problem with your landscape we can help!

We Can Help You Fix Pooling Water On Your Lawn Or Landscape
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.

Natural Image Property Solutions is a landscaping contractor based out of Newark, Ohio and serving New Albany, Blacklick, Pataskala, Westerville, Heath, and the surrounding area.   We specialize in installing lawn and garden drainage systems including drainage swales, dry creek beds, 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.

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 Solutions We Offer

French Drains

What Is A French Drain?

A French drain might sound intricate, but it's actually a simple yet effective solution for many homeowners facing drainage issues. Essentially, a French drain is a slightly sloped trench filled with gravel or rock, containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface water and groundwater away from specific areas. It's an ingeniously simple concept that has been used for centuries to combat excess water.

Functionality of a French Drain

The core idea behind a French drain is its ability to capture and divert water. When water enters the trench, it quickly seeps through the gravel and into the perforated pipe. This pipe then channels the water away from your property, often to a more suitable drainage area like a street, a ditch, drainage swale, or a storm drain.

Common French Drain Applications Around Residential Properties

Preventing Water Accumulation Around Foundations: One of the most popular uses of a French drain is to prevent water from pooling around a house's foundation. Water near the foundation can lead to serious issues like structural damage or basement flooding. By installing a French drain, this water is efficiently rerouted, safeguarding your home's integrity.

Managing Water in Soggy Yards: For yards that tend to get soggy or have standing water after rain, a French drain can be a game-changer. It helps in quickly moving the water away, keeping your yard dry and usable.

Facilitating Drainage in Hardscaped Areas: In areas where hardscaping like patios or walkways prevents natural absorption of water, French drains can provide an alternative path for water, preventing pooling and potential damage or slipping hazards.

Garden and Landscape Protection: Gardens and landscaped areas can suffer from too much water. A strategically placed French drain can help regulate the moisture level in these areas, ensuring that plants don't get waterlogged.

Resolving Slope-Related Drainage Issues: If your property is on a slope, managing runoff can be challenging. French drains can be part of a comprehensive solution to control and direct the flow of water, preventing erosion and landscape damage.

Drainage Swales

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Dry Creek Beds

What is a Dry Creek Bed?

In the world of landscaping and drainage solutions, a dry creek bed stands out as a blend of functionality and natural beauty. A dry creek bed is essentially a man-made channel or gully, often lined with stones and rocks, designed to mimic the look of a natural dry stream. The key purpose of this feature is to provide an effective and aesthetic way to manage and direct the flow of water across your property.

The Aesthetic and Functional Blend

A dry creek bed is more than just a practical drainage solution; it's a landscaping feature that can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your outdoor space. Carefully selected stones and thoughtful placement create a natural-looking waterway that blends seamlessly with your garden and yard.

Common Applications Around Residential Properties

Erosion Control: For properties with sloped terrain where water runoff causes erosion, a dry creek bed can be a savior. It channels the water flow, reducing erosion and preserving the integrity of your landscape.

Rainwater Diversion: During heavy rainfall, dry creek beds effectively divert excess rainwater away from sensitive areas like foundations, gardens, or lawns, directing it to a more appropriate drainage area.

Addressing Soggy Areas: In yards where water tends to collect and create soggy patches, a dry creek bed can provide an escape route for this water, keeping your yard drier and healthier.

Aesthetic Enhancement: Beyond its functional role, a dry creek bed can be a striking landscape feature, adding a unique and natural charm to your outdoor space. It can be a focal point or a subtle addition, depending on your preference.

Wildlife Attraction: Interestingly, dry creek beds can attract wildlife, providing a habitat for birds and beneficial insects. The varying sizes of rocks and the layout can create microhabitats that are appealing to small wildlife.

Integrating with Your Landscape

The beauty of a dry creek bed lies in its versatility and adaptability. It can be designed to suit any landscape style, from a rustic, woodland look to a more modern, minimalist approach. With the right design and placement, a dry creek bed not only solves drainage issues but also elevates the overall aesthetics of your property.

A Sustainable Approach to Drainage

Embracing the concept of a dry creek bed is not just about solving water runoff issues; it's about doing it in a way that respects and enhances the natural environment. This eco-friendly solution is a testament to how functional landscaping can be both effective and beautiful.

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 (740) 403-8063 or fill out our online form and we'll get right back to you.

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Stephanie
Stephanie December 31, 2023
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We have used Natural Image Property Services on more than one occasion, and we have been thrilled with the results. They do fantastic work for fair prices. They are also responsive and easy to communicate with, and also understanding when plans might need to change. We will use them for all of our landscaping needs!

Krista Dalton
Krista Dalton November 9, 2023
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Natural Image installed a paver front walk and two porches for us. The crew was professional, courteous and prompt in addressing any questions we had. Anthony came to our home several times before the project started to answer our design questions. We are very happy with our new front walk and porches. Feel confident in recommending them to our friends and family.

Crystal M
Crystal M October 30, 2023
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We hired Natural Image for various hard scaping projects including the design and creation of a beautiful waterfall. The team went above our expectations with the final product. We found them extremely professional in all aspects from planning to completion. They listened to our ideas and incorporated them into the final product. All workers were courteous and respectful of our property and our time. We would highly recommend this company.

Kim Gowdy
Kim Gowdy September 25, 2023
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We could not be happier with the outcome of the landscape project from Natural Image. The craftsmanship and professionalism of the team was top notch. They kept the space clean throughout the work and never left me questioning the final product. As with all projects, there were different visions on what the product would look like at the beginning, but the team asked the right questions and pivoted to give us more than what we could have asked for. I highly recommend them for any hard scape projects.

Devon Rehs
Devon Rehs September 25, 2023
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Natural Image replaced our patio and also added a new pavilion with a fireplace. They were extremely helpful with the design layout and giving us direction on the process. They were always very responsive and professional. We absolutely love our new outdoor space.

Jennifer Piper
Jennifer Piper July 6, 2023
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The team at Natural Image is professional, knowledgeable, and the work they did was beautiful!

Marie Cottrell
Marie Cottrell March 29, 2023
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We hired Natural Image Property Services to replace a failing retaining wall with Versa-Lok block. We would highly recommend this company. From the ease of scheduling our consultation online, to the actual consultation and subsequent conversations, all was very professional. The two guys who did the work (Taylor and K.C.) were very hard working, very diligent and meticulous—probably not too easy when building a 10’ wall, and having to fit it around a large culvert pipe. Even on 20 degree days they showed up, worked hard and did a fantastic job. All work was done within the original service description, and completed in the time frame specified. Needless to say, we are very pleased.

Judy Kosciuszko
Judy Kosciuszko November 18, 2022

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Frequently Asked Drainage Questions

Indicators include standing water after rain, water pooling near your foundation, soggy or waterlogged areas in your yard, large standing puddles on your gravel driveway, and soil erosion occurring around your property. If you notice any of these issues, it's time to consider a drainage solution.

Properly installed lawn drainage systems should not damage your landscape. In fact, they are designed to enhance the health and appearance of your lawn by preventing waterlogging and soil erosion.  Care needs to be taken to account for any existing utilities that might be in the area such as gas lines, underground power, water lines, or sewer or septic lines.  Typically utilities are buried deeper than most drainage solutions, it's still a precaution that must be taken seriously.

Yes, solutions like drainage swales and rain gardens are eco-friendly options. They promote natural water absorption, reduce runoff, and help in replenishing groundwater, all while adding to the aesthetic appeal of your landscape.

Maintenance typically involves keeping the area free of debris that could block water flow, such as leaves and twigs. For French drains, occasionally checking and clearing the gravel area and ensuring the outlet remains unblocked is essential.

Absolutely. Our drainage solutions are tailored to work with your existing landscape design. Whether integrating a swale into your garden or concealing drains aesthetically, we aim to enhance both the functionality and beauty of your outdoor space.

Solutions like gutter downspout extensions, rain barrels, or connecting to a drainage system can effectively manage roof runoff. We can assess your property to determine the best approach.

The installation time can vary based on the complexity of the system and the size of your property. Simple systems can be installed in a few days, while more complex solutions may take longer. We provide a timeline estimate upfront.

While some minor drainage solutions can be DIY projects, professional installation is recommended for more comprehensive systems. This ensures proper design and installation, which are critical for the system's effectiveness and longevity.  Drainage systems also require the use of specialize equipment such as a mini-excavator to quickly and efficiently dig an appropriate trench or swale.