SPOTLIGHT Eco Home Solutions for Your Yard I
mproper drainage can speed up the deteriora- tion of a home drastically when it is leſt unad- dressed. But there are a myriad of materials and
techniques that can be used to repair existing dam- ageand prevent additional degradation while add- ing beauty to your home.
Homeowners today oſten viewan outdoor portion of their property or an exterior portion of their house as another room in their home. To meet this growing trend, professional designers, builders and remodelers have applied their talents to implementing creative designs that integrate atractive, durable solutions focusing on a home’s exterior. In general, the goal is to create beautiful spaces that enhance outdoor enjoyment while providing durability with minimum maintenance. Tis goal is achieved through thoughtful design, coupled with quality workmanship and materials.
A home’s exterior includes everything from the foundation, siding, roofing and guters to decks, porches, patios, gazebos, pergolas, trellises, retaining walls, water features, landscaping, outdoor fireplaces, pools and spas, drainage and fencing. Exterior lighting, garden benches and accessories fit within this category as well.
Exterior Conditions Requiring Repair Tis article focuses on the challenges posed by one home’s exterior and the solutions that were devised to address them. Te home’s rear yard had water drainage problems, an insufficient walkway, overgrown shrubs, and disintegration of the front brick step and the steps from the rear yard to the detached garage. In addition, the garage foundation wall was leaking water and there was a lack of space to put trash and recyclable container bins. Tere were several other maintenance problems to deal with as well: Te rear yard sloped from right to leſt and water runoff from the guters and yard caused a muddy bog at the walkway to the garage and silt run- off deposited onto the neighbors nicely landscaped rear patio and garden. Te fence was falling down and roted in several locations.
Drainage-related water problems are a major cause of leaky basements, erosion under concrete steps, stoops
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and sidewalks, insect infestations and mold growth. Tere are building code requirements that apply to site water management, run-off and the durability and waterproofing of foundations but many of these requirements are rarely enforced in most residential additions and remodeling projects.
Addressing Drainage Problems My firm completed a rear addition on the home this past winter and it is our standard practice to ensure that the grading is performed properly and that all affected components, such as walkways and pavement, are repaired or replaced as needed We had observed the this yard’s poor drainage during the construction process and recommended new side and rear yard walkways be installed with a French drain system constructed underneath. Te French drain allowed downspout water and excess surface water to be piped to the rear property line. A catch basin with a surface drain piped to daylight was added to collect water during torrential rains (which occur more and more frequently in this area) or if the French drain becomes clogged or overwhelmed. Te drain was installed at the low point of the yard to ensure that run off onto the neighbor yard was kept to a minimum.
BY ALEX DEAN
Who said you couldn’t have it all?
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