Landscaping Tools to Reduce Flood Damage

Flooding can happen at any time when heavy rains occur, and it’s important to know how to address it on your property. Low-lying areas are more prone to flooding, along with close proximity to bodies of water. Landscaping is about making logical choices to protect your home and prevent water damage from occurring. Here are some of the ways you can use landscaping tools to prevent floods from overtaking your yard and pouring into your basement.

1. Level Sloping Lawns

If your yard slopes towards your house, you’re in trouble in flood conditions, because all of that water is going to pour right towards your front door. Find where the low and high points are in your lawn and shovel in extra dirt to help slope your yard down and away from your house in the front and back yards. A mini excavator can help you remove soil from higher parts and transport it to lower parts of your yard. Melting snow and rainwater will not do damage to your home and the water should flow into the street and down the sewer.

2. Select Local Flora

Planting shrubs, bushes, trees and flowers that naturally grow in your part of the country will help to reduce soil erosion, which is a very common cause of flooding. When you’re digging out your flower beds and preparing to plant, make sure that you choose indigenous plants that are accustomed to the amount of precipitation in your region so that they absorb falling rains and flourish, rather than becoming waterlogged.

3. Apply Mulch

Filling in your flower beds and garden with a couple of inches of mulch can help keep your soil in place and retain rainwater. The closer you get to your home when planting, the more mulch you’ll need.

4. Plant the Right Grass

Trying to grow grass that isn’t native to your region of the country will not go well. Make sure that, if you’re replanting your grass, you’re selecting a type of grass that grows naturally in your state or region.

5. Mow With Care

Whether you use a riding mower or a push mower, it’s important to only cut off a third of the blade on your grass whenever you mow your lawn. Cutting your grass too short weakens it and this can cause flooding as the grass won’t be healthy enough to absorb falling rain.

When you’re ready to shop landscaping tools and equipment, visit Manor Home Center in Oakland, MD. Our staff will be happy to help you find the tools you need and we even provide equipment financing options. Manor Home Center proudly serves Garrett County, MD, and Morgantown, WV.