Where to put drainage in your garden — and why you should never ignore puddles

Good drainage is essential in any garden if plants are going to thrive. If you regularly spot surface puddling after rain, or waterlogged areas of soil or lawn it's a sign you need to look into what's going on and correct any potential problems before they escalate.

Surface puddling could simply be caused by compacted soil, especially if your flower beds and borders haven't been dug over in a while, or the soil amended with compost or mulch to improve drainage. So it could be that all you need to do is cultivate the soil properly and things will improve.

Alternatively, the accumulation of excess water could indicate a more serious problem, especially if soil is black and sodden, and plants are dying. You probably need to look into drainage systems and even getting expert advice to resolve the matter. Now find out what our experts have to say about where to put drainage in your garden and why it's so important to get it right.

Why garden drainage is important

"I'm a drain bore. No landscape or garden on earth can exist without good drainage," says landscape designer Jinny Blom, author of What Makes a Garden. "All surfaces will carry or hold water to a lesser or greater extent. It's very important to make sure they do it easily, efficiently, attractively and comprehensively."

Looking at the local environment is very important too when studying drainage, says Jinny. "I like surface drainage to be 'daylighted' wherever possible. This means easily visible, so you can see where it's getting clogged and can clear debris out of the way."

Without proper drainage, water can't drain away properly. "This means that it ends up sitting either on or beneath the surface, which ends up leading to waterlogged soil," explains Jess Thomas, expert at Drainage Central.

This has a negative effect on the majority of plants, as their roots need air as well as water to thrive. Constant waterlogging can quickly lead to root rot and eventually even plant death.

Poor drainage can also cause structural issues with your home, as well as garages and outhouses. "If water consistently pools near foundations or walls, it can lead to damp problems or even compromise the structural integrity over time," says Jess. "In clay-heavy areas waterlogging and poor drainage is even more of an issue because clay soil holds on to the water for much longer".

Jinny Blom

Jinny Blom has created a substantial number of gardens and landscapes since 2000, many of which have won awards. She has designed five Chelsea Flower Show Gardens. A longstanding member of the Garden Media Guild, she also sits on the garden committee at Waddesdon Manor for the Rothschild Foundation. 

Jess Thomas

Jess Thomas is the managing director of Drainage Central, and an expert in the drainage and plumbing industry. Jess continually provides valuable insights on a wide range of industry topics, and is dedicated to helping homeowners find effective solutions to their drainage problems.

What are the different types of garden drainage?

There are two main categories of drainage systems, according to Jess Thomas, as well as rain garden ideas.

Surface water drainage: "This type of drainage deals with any water that tends to sit on the surface of your garden. Surface water drainage options include grading the land, which means gently shaping or sloping your garden so that rainwater flows away naturally instead of forming puddles.

Swales are another option. These are shallow dips or channels in the ground that help to guide rainwater away from areas where it might usually collect.

French drains are simple systems where a trench is dug, filled with gravel, and a pipe is placed inside. This helps to collect water and move it somewhere else, often to where it can be used beneficially."

Subsurface drainage: "This deals with water that soaks into the ground and gets stuck beneath the surface with nowhere to go. This kind of drainage is ideal for areas that are always soggy, even days after it has rained.

Perforated pipes are buried under the ground, which collect extra water from the soil and carry it away so it doesn't become stuck.

Gravel-filled trenches can help to loosen up heavy soil and therefore make it easier for water to drain.

Mixing in things like grit or compost with the soil is good in clay-heavy gardens, as it helps the soil to drain better over time."

Rain gardens: "A green and efficient way to fix drainage issues, rain gardens are small planted areas that are usually filled with flowers, grasses, and shrubs.

They collect the rainwater from roofs, paths, and driveways, and the plants and soil slowly absorb the water. Rain gardens drain the water away from hard surfaces naturally, and prevent it from overwhelming drains.

Rain gardens are great as they also attract wildlife, and are perfect if you're looking for ways to make your garden more eco-friendly."

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Where to put drainage in your garden

"There are a few key spots where drainage is particularly important," says drainage systems expert Ted Bromley-Hall, managing director of IBRAN.

Patios and hard surfaces: "Water needs somewhere to go when it hits non-absorbent surfaces. Drainage channels are a neat solution that sits flush with your patio or driveway. They catch runoff before it can pool against your house and direct it away safely. This is a much better option than watching water creep towards your back door during heavy rainfall."

Driveways and parking areas: "Concrete and tarmac create massive runoff, but there's an alternative. Gravel parking grids let you create a stable surface for cars that water can drain straight through. The grids keep the gravel in place (no more stone scatter!) while letting rain soak away naturally. They're brilliant for environmentally-friendly gravel driveway ideas that won't flood."

Soggy garden spots: "For areas that always seem to collect water, you need something underground to handle the excess. Soakaway crates work like underground reservoirs. They store rainwater during downpours and slowly release it into the surrounding soil."

Lawns that need better drainage: "Grass reinforcement grids can be really effective. They create a cellular structure beneath the grass that aids drainage while protecting the root system. This is particularly useful in areas that see both heavy rainfall and frequent foot traffic."

Swales or rain gardens: "Proper landscaping and lawn edging ideas are crucial for maintaining defined boundaries and preventing soil erosion. It helps to maintain clean lines while allowing water to flow where intended.

"The key to successful garden drainage is taking a holistic approach. While each of these solutions works well independently, combining them strategically across your garden creates a comprehensive drainage system that will protect your property and keep your garden healthy for years to come."

Ted Bromley-Hall

Switching the lab coat for a spade, Ted Bromley-Hall started his landscaping career in pursuit of his passion for all things outdoors. For the last 10 years, Ted has been applying that same passion to growing IBRAN into one of Europe's leading manufacturers of sustainable products for the landscaping industry.

What are the signs there could be a drainage issue?

Robert Quinton, construction expert and owner of Construction Megastore, has offered his professional tips on how to spot the signs of poor drainage:

Poorly draining soil: “Compact or clay soil doesn’t let water drain away properly. Instead, water can pool on the surface, leaving plants waterlogged. This drowns the roots, stops them from getting enough oxygen, leading to stunted plant growth or even plant death. In the worst cases, it can cause structural issues for your garden too.”

Surface runoff: “If rainwater flows over the ground instead of soaking into the surface, it can wash away the topsoil. This not only damages your garden but can also cause localised flooding in certain areas.”

Standing water: “Patches of standing water are often caused by dips or low-lying areas in the garden that collect excess water. These puddles can lead to plant roots rotting and make areas of your garden hard to use. Pooled standing water also attracts mosquitoes and other pests, and even encourages mould and fungi that can harm plant health.”

Blocked drains: “Garden drainage systems gutters can get clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris over time. When they stop working properly, water doesn’t drain away as it should and can wash away important nutrients from your soil.”

Inadequate sloping: “If your garden isn’t sloped correctly to guide water away from your property, it can lead to water seeping into basements or under your home. This can cause dampness, cracks in walls, flooding and other expensive structural issues.”

Robert Quinton

Robert Quinton is the owner and director of Construction Megastore, one of the largest multi-foil manufacturers in the UK, and distributor of insulation, roofing and building products. Robert likes to involve himself with every step of the build process, helping customers achieve the best possible results, whether they are an architect, builder or merchant.

Why it's important to maintain drains

Garden drainage tends to be overlooked, mainly as it's a case of out of sight is often out of mind. Drainage systems are typically hidden underground, and surface water may only pool during very heavy rainfall, so problems are easily missed.

"Drainage issues can also develop gradually," explains Matt Durrant, insurance expert and managing director of i4me. "Unlike a burst pipe or a broken boiler, the damage tends to build slowly and often goes unnoticed until it’s more severe."

Many homeowners simply aren’t aware of the problems that poor drainage can bring, and assume that all water damage is automatically covered by their home insurance. This is frequently not the case.

"Drainage maintenance can do a lot to help homeowners to avoid property damage, and even reduce the risk of claim disputes when damage does occur," says Matt. "There are a range of different options to explore if your garden has drainage issues. You might consider installing proper soakaways or French drains. You could address landscaping issues by ensuring that the garden slopes away from the property. More simply, regularly clearing gutters and drains can be really effective. You should also monitor your property for early signs of damp or water pooling."

Documenting your maintenance efforts and acting quickly to resolve problems puts you in a much stronger position should a claim ever arise.

Matt Durrant

Matt Durrant is an insurance expert with over 20 years' industry experience, and founder of i4me, a specialist property insurance provider. Launched in 2016, i4me has grown to become the leading, innovative insurance broker.

FAQs

What happens if I need to make an insurance claim?

If you need to make an insurance claim there are several important things to take into account. "Inadequate garden drainage can lead to excess surface water pooling around the foundation of a property," explains Matt Durrant. "Over time, this can result in a range of problems, including water ingress into basements or ground floors, structural damage due to soil movement (subsidence or heave), and damp and mould problems, which can compromise indoor air quality and damage interiors. This kind of damage can be costly and difficult to rectify, particularly if it’s discovered late."

If a property or area is known to have a history of drainage issues leading to flooding or waterlogging, it can affect the acceptance of cover. In most cases, this will lead to higher premiums or excesses. But there will be occasions where flood-related cover will be excluded from a property owner’s policy.

"When assessing water damage claims, the first thing that insurers look for is the cause of the damage," says Matt. "Was it sudden and unforeseen, or the result of gradual wear and tear? Next, they’ll check the homeowner was taking reasonable steps to maintain the property. Evidence of contributory negligence will also be assessed, which could be ignoring known drainage problems or failing to address poor landscaping or blocked drains."

This is a topical issue right now because of climate change, with increasingly unpredictable weather causing problems for previously unaffected properties.

Now you know where to put drainage in your garden turn your attention to drainage surveys to discover if you need to have one.