Why drainage is so important in landscaping, Park City Utah building drain system maintenance advice

Why Drainage is So Important in Landscaping

January 14, 2026

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Drainage is perhaps one of the most important issues to make sure is in proper shape in a landscape. Not having the proper drainage can create a series of problems when water is pooling in your yard. It can’t even begin to cause extreme problems that could impact the quality and condition of the liability and the house structure on the property. Making sure that the land has adequate drainage is one of the most important aspects of your landscaping.

Issues that can happen without proper drainage

Water is flooding into a home’s basement because it is flowing toward the house instead of away from it.
Unusable yard that is swampy and too mushy to walk across after a significant rainfall
Pooling water when there is no drain- drainage water needs to find a place to go, and if it has nowhere to go, it can create a pond or swamp within your property. This can lead to stagnant water, which can bring a period of issues, including a home for bacteria that cause illness to breed, specifically from mosquitoes that like to hang out.
Unusable hardscaping: the hardscape areas of the yard can become unusable because the water will find these spaces to create ponds and standing water, often in places that are used for walkways or hanging out
Eroding plant beds: plant beds get washed out when the rain is harsh and has nowhere to go.
Mowing ruts: lawns that are incredibly soggy or very hard to pull a lawnmower across can create and leave ruts in the landscaping, which are unsightly and make mowing even more unpleasant and hard the next time around

Solutions/strategies for proper drainage

Every drainage solution should have the main objective of pulling water away from the home and preventing it from pooling in any one area. There are many different drainage strategies that are utilized in landscaping. Some are more suitable for different landscaping styles.

Rip rap rock: this is often used on hill sides. Rocks are used to help prevent soil erosion in areas where a yard is sloped, and water is moving continuously or rapidly down the hillside. Large rocks help the land to stay in place and prevent sliding.

Swales: This is also referred to as dry Creek beds. This can be paired with other drainage techniques, such as piping and drain inlets. This helps to create a place for water to go and to channel off into other areas.

Matthew Magnotta, Park City, Utah, REALTOR, offers his advice: “Dry creek bed: A dry creek bed is a trench filled with rocks that looks like a creek, but is only full at the time of heavy rainfall. This is a fun way to let water move through a landscape. It creates an additional water feature and a place for water to collect and run off during heavy rainfall.”

Downspouts and piping: downspouts are used on a home to collect water from gutters and pull it away from the house and down through the landscaping to the street in the community. If a downspout is releasing water too close to home, adding some extra drains can help move the water further away from your house.

French drain: This is a commonly used, popular type of draining system that redirects water from one part of the yard into another with ease. It is an easy way to keep the drain in your yard looking aesthetic while allowing it to do its job.

If you need help with your landscape, especially if you have improper drainage in your landscape, and need help getting it back on track. It is a good idea to consult the expertise of a landscaping professional.

If you want to take your yard and garden from great to amazing, contact local landscape designers or talk to a local REALTOR about their references. Chances are, they will have some great suggestions on how to improve drainage on your property.

Comments on this guide to Why drainage is so important in landscaping article are welcome.