Water drainage from a neighbor’s yard can be an unsightly nuisance. Most specifically, it can create issues for your lawn and garden. There are two ways to approach this issue: ask your neighbor for help or try to do the work yourself.
If you decide to take on the task, it’s essential that you have the proper methods and tips on how to go about it.
Therefore, this article will outline some simple ideas on how to block water drainage from neighbors yard. Keep reading.
Contents
- How to block water drainage from neighbors yard
- 1. Build a Berm
- 2. Installing a Dry Well
- 3. French Drains
- 4. Dig a Trench
- 5. Planting Grass
- 6. Use Mulch
- 7. Hire a Professional
- How to Stop Water Runoff from Neighbor’s Yard
- How to Block Water Draining from Neighbor’s Yard: (FAQs)
- Can a Neighbor Drain Water Onto Your Property?
- How do you redirect water drainage?
- Who is responsible for water runoff?
- What are the effects of water drainage into the neighbor’s yard?
- Author
How to block water drainage from neighbors yard
1. Build a Berm
First of all, you can build an earthen berm to stop water drainage from your neighbor’s yard. A berm is a mound, ridge, or hill constructed of soil. That way, you can create a barrier between yourself and any possible water runoff from your neighbor’s yard.
An ideal berm can be about 3’ high, but you can make it even higher if you like. This method offers the most long-term results and is more permanent than other options available. You can plant grass on top of the berm for added benefit.
2. Installing a Dry Well
Installing a dry well for your yard is also a practical method to stop water drainage from your neighbor’s yard. A dry well will help collect water, which you can then use for irrigation or plant watering purposes.
The size of the dry well will depend on how much water drainage you need to deal with. Most importantly, the dry well will help prevent water from flooding your yard or home.
A drainage trench can be integrated into the dry well to divert any excess water that may build up eventually.
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3. French Drains
Another method to stop water from your neighbor’s yard is by installing a French drain or a tile drainage system. Basically, it will channel water away from your home and into nearby storm drains or surface waters.
How effective this method is primarily depends on how well you install the drainage system. You can hire a professional contractor for this job if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself.
4. Dig a Trench
Digging a trench in your yard can be another effective solution to stop water drainage from your neighbor’s yard. Trenches can be dug to direct water away from a specified area.
They can have varying depths and widths depending on what you are dealing with. The trench should also be deep enough that the soil is slightly over or below ground level to prevent excess surface water from pooling up.
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5. Planting Grass
If you cannot install a berm or dry well, another easy solution is simply planting grass in the affected areas of your yard. This will help prevent water from gathering on top of the soil and creating puddles.
Make sure that your choice of grass is suitable for your climate conditions and will survive certain weather situations.
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6. Use Mulch
Mulching your yard with wood chips or leaf litter can significantly help stop water drainage from your neighbor’s yard. These materials will act as a natural barrier to protect the soil and prevent water from rushing downwards uncontrollably.
Make sure not to choose materials that are too light in weight and may get easily blown away when there are strong winds.
7. Hire a Professional
If you do not feel comfortable doing the work yourself, hiring a professional is another option. A professional will have more experience and training in dealing with water drainage from your neighbor’s yard.
They can also provide you with better-quality results. Professional contractors will be able to install the best methods to stop water drainage from your neighbor’s yard, depending on what you choose
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How to Stop Water Runoff from Neighbor’s Yard
- Drainage system: Generally, the easiest way to stop water drainage from your neighbor’s yard is by installing a drainage system. A sound drainage system will help prevent excess surface water from pooling up on your property. Different types of drainage systems are available depending on what works best for you.
- Install a berm: Another solution would be to install a berm. Berms are low walls of compacted soil that block water from flowing outwards toward your yard. They can be effective but will require significant amounts of work and time to construct properly
- Plant trees: If all fails, you can also plant trees and shrubs to create a natural barrier. These will need to be planted close together in such a way that they alternate the direction of their growth so that one tree or shrub is blocking another’s path downwards
- Plant Grass: Planting grass with deep roots is another good option for preventing water drainage from your neighbor’s yard. This will work best if the grass is planted on top of a layer of mulch or stone to help hold the soil in place. You can also create rows between your properties with sod, but this could become expensive quickly
- Use a Sump pump: There is also the idea of installing a sump pump at the lowest points of your yard. A sump pump will help remove excess water from your yard, effectively preventing any flooding or standing water from occurring. But as you see, this is only a control measure, not a preventive one.
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How to Block Water Draining from Neighbor’s Yard: (FAQs)
Can a Neighbor Drain Water Onto Your Property?
Neighbor’s water draining onto your property can be a big issue, especially if it becomes a recurring problem.
How you deal with this situation will largely depend on where the drainage is coming from and how much of an issue it has become.
Naturally, water follows the path of least resistance, meaning that it will flow downhill to the lowest possible elevation.
If you live on lower ground than your neighbor, water drainage from your neighbor’s yard can eventually make its way onto your property if there are no barriers in place.
Legally, it is your neighbor’s responsibility to ensure that all runoff from their property flows into storm sewers or septic tanks.
However they are not held legally responsible for any damage caused by water. This does not mean that you cannot take any action of your own, however.
In some cases, your state will recognize a right of capture, which means that if there are no man-made obstacles in the way, then you have the right to capture water from your neighbor’s yard.
How do you redirect water drainage?
In most cases, you can redirect water drainage by installing a berm.
Berms are low walls of compacted soil that block water from flowing outwards toward your yard.
They can be effective but will require significant amounts of work and time to construct properly.
Who is responsible for water runoff?
The civil rule state that every homeowner is liable for altering the natural flow of water on his or her property.
If your neighbor’s yard is sending water onto your yard, it is generally the homeowner’s responsibility to build a berm, redirect drain lines or install a sump pump
What are the effects of water drainage into the neighbor’s yard?
When there is too much rainwater coming onto your turf around their house, it may seem as though nothing is wrong.
But when that extra water has nowhere to go in a storm event such as heavy rain or hurricane, severe damage can result on your lawn and home.
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Suppose you are still wondering how to block water drainage from neighbors yard. In that case, the best thing you can do is consult with a professional about which solution will be most effective in your situation.
In many cases, installing a system or berm may help solve the problem and stop water runoff from your neighbor’s yard.
Whether legal action needs to be taken against an uncooperative neighbor or not depends on where the water has originated and how much of an issue it has become.
The bottom line: if there’s too much rainwater coming onto your turf around their house, don’t ignore what could happen next.
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