As a homeowner, you’d want to keep your backyard in perfect condition. After all, a lush green turf can increase the value of your property. To battle water-logging problems, many backyards in Australia have backyard drains.
So, what purpose does that drain serve and how should you maintain yours, in order to avoid waterlogging or even flooding your backyard? Let’s take a more in-depth look!
Just as the name suggests, this is a very specific type of drain that serves the purpose of channelling rainwater to the stormwater drains on the streets. It’s usually placed in the lowest point of your backyard.
Keep in mind that backyard drains aren’t connected to the main drainage system of your city. Instead, they’re just a way to relocate the stormwater from your property to the streets where the stormwater drainage system can transport it to the city drains, a well, or a retaining area.
The time when your drain needs you the most is during the autumn, because of the countless falling leaves that can clog the whole system.
Make sure that any roof gutters that are connected to the lawn drainage, are cleaned properly before addressing issues with the actual drain. If you clean the yard drain first and after that, the roof gutters, all of the dirt and grime will fall down, making the whole process pointless.
Here is a step-by-step process of how to maintain and improve your lawn drainage:
Every drain has a grate that protects it from big pieces of debris falling through. Take it out and clean out carefully all of the accumulated dirt and decomposing leaves between the bars. Try to reach deep into the piping either with a shop vac or a long brush. The goal is to remove anything that could clog the system, such as rocks, leaves, branches, and dirt.
A backyard drain has two ends, which means that you should clean both. Find where your drain ends, somewhere near the street and close to your yard. If you’re doing this on a busy street make sure you contact and inform your local council. Clean thoroughly this side of your yard drain as it’s probably also covered with all kinds of debris. Just as in your yard, lift the grate of this end of the drain and clean it properly from anything else that is blocking the flow of the water.
After you make sure that all the bigger debris is gone, take a garden hose and put it as deep as you can in the pipe. Flush the drain to clear out all of the leftovers you were not able to remove. If there are multiple pipes, go through each one of them, and even use multiple hoses for better results.
If you want to avoid all of this heavy work, there is a way to prevent all of the debris from piling up over the grate and in the pipes of the drain. Regular maintenance can go a long way in protecting your yard drain from all the fallen leaves, rocks and branches.
This means that you need to clean up your backyard at least once a week and always pay special attention to the drain grate along with the pipes underneath.
Of course, not many people have the time for frequent lawn care and this is where we step in. Fantastic Services offers high-quality lawn care services that you can book at a frequency of your preference.
No matter if you need us once a week, or fortnightly, we will always make sure that the lawn care service is designed as per your special needs. The professional gardeners work according to your priorities, so they will always take care of what’s important.
Simply check when we’re available by enetering your postcode!
Many times blockage doesn’t happen on your part of the pipe. Stormwater drains on the street often get clogged, leaving you with a puddle of water. In such cases, don’t try to solve the problem on your own.
Call the local council as they are the authorities who are responsible for the road networks, streets, and local drains. Be patient as it might take some time for them to respond, check and solve the stormwater drainage system issue. However, in the end, the pipes will be free of rubbish and you won’t have to risk damaging public property.
How often do you maintain your backyard drain? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
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