7 Backyard Plumbing Maintenance Tips

Your backyard plumbing needs to be maintained to keep your garden thriving and functional, particularly as summer nears and climate conditions change.

Plumbing maintenance also helps to prevent common problems like excess water, soil erosion and poor drainage. A maintained plumbing system means you avoid drainage problems like muddy lawns, water pooling and dying grass.

Being proactive with your backyard drainage may seem like a slog at the beginning. But ultimately, it will save you a great deal of time, money and stress, and will make your garden all the more enjoyable. From getting on top of surface issues to installing French or trench drains, here are 7 top backyard plumbing tips that will keep your garden in peak condition.

1. Check Your Drainage System

If you want to prevent avoidable backyard plumbing dramas, inspecting your drainage system is one of the most effective measures. Typical indicators of poor drainage to keep an eye out for include:

• pooling water
• dying grass
• muddy lawns

Monitor your backyard drainage solutions, such as swale drains, trench drains, and stormwater drainage, to ensure they’re clear and working. Nipping drainage problems in the bud early will avoid more severe problems, like soil erosion and weed infestation.

Check the channel drains for blockages or signs of damage and make sure the water flows as it should. Regular checks will keep your garden healthy, which means you’ll avoid costly future plumbing problems.

2. Clear Your Drains and Gutters of Debris

Cleaning out your drains and gutters of accumulated debris is necessary to prevent drainage problems and keep your backyard plumbing in tip-top shape. Leaves, twigs and dirt can block the various backyard drainage solutions you have in place, and cause excess water, pooling and soil erosion.

Consistently clearing debris will keep water flowing smoothly through the relevant parts of your backyard drainage system. It’s a proactive step that keeps your garden functional and prevents avoidable damage to your yard and property.

3. Arrange For a CCTV Drain Inspection

A CCTV drain inspection is an essential step in maintaining your backyard plumbing and your drainage system, particularly if you already suspect you have a blockage.

This ground-breaking technology allows drainage experts to find hidden blockages, damage or sub-surface drainage problems – all without the need to actually break up your ground (i.e. no digging needed!). By sending a camera through your pipes, they can identify a range of problems like:

• cracked pipes
• tree root intrusions
• debris build up

Each of these problems can lead to poor drainage, water pooling or soil erosion.

Fixing these issues early will prevent the need for more expansive (and expensive) repairs and keep your backyard fully functional. Regular inspections will catch problems before they get out of hand and protect your garden and plumbing for the long term.

4. Fix Sub-Surface Drainage Issues

One sure-fire way to experience persistent plumbing problems is with unresolved sub-surface drainage issues. These problems can range from muddy lawns to water pooling and weed infestation. They typically occur when water accumulates beneath the surface and disrupts soil stability and plant health.

So how do you address the problem? Installing sub-surface drainage solutions like a French drain or a perforated pipe system will manage this water and prevent damage.

Early identification of these problems early is crucial; look for wet patches or dying grass. Consult with drainage experts to determine the best drain solutions to keep your garden dry and functional. This will help ensure your plumbing system works all year round.

5. Build Retaining Walls to Maximise Drainage

Retaining walls can do more than just look good – they can also act as an effective drainage solution for excess water.

These structures will redirect water flow and prevent issues like soil erosion or pooling water in low lying areas. By guiding water to your designated drainage solutions, retaining walls will reduce the risk of backyard drainage problems and protect your landscaping. They work well in sloping gardens so water doesn’t run off uncontrolled.

Add these walls to transform your garden into a functional area and protect your plumbing system from future drainage problems. Consult with backyard drainage specialists for best results.

6. Install French Drains or Trench Drains

Two backyard drainage solutions that are particularly effective, especially in low-lying areas prone to pooling water, are French drains and trench drains. These drainage solutions redirect excess water away from your garden and prevent muddy lawns, dying grass and soil erosion.

So, despite the similar names, what’s the difference between the two?

• A French drain is a gravel-filled trench. It uses a perforated pipe that collects water and moves it efficiently through the system.
• A trench drain is a surface-level channel that diverts water quickly.

Both work well as part of an overall drainage system to keep your backyard plumbing working. For best results consult with experienced backyard drainage specialists to tailor the solution to your situation.

7. Fix Surface Problems Quickly

Getting on top of surface problems with a sense of urgency is essential to maintaining an effective backyard plumbing system.

Uneven ground, cracks or dips will trap water. This often results in pooling water, muddy lawns and even weed infestation. By addressing these problems as soon as they emerge, you can keep your drainage system working and prevent more serious problems like soil erosion.

Simple tasks like levelling the soil, filling in dips and ensuring proper grading will guide excess water to your backyard drainage solutions like French drains or swale drains. Regularly check and fix surface imperfections to protect your garden and your backyard.

Always Use a Licensed Plumber for Your Drainage Needs

When it comes to backyard plumbing, always use a licensed plumber to uphold safety and maintain compliance and quality.

Licensed plumbers have the skills to fix just about any backyard plumbing drain issue. They can install drainage solutions and deal with local regulations with ease.

Trying to do major plumbing work yourself will cost you more and potentially damage your garden and property. In many cases, it can also be against the law if you are not licensed to carry out regulated work. Using drainage experts will protect your investment and keep your outdoor space healthy and functional.

Keep Your Backyard Plumbing In Tip-Top Shape

Keeping your backyard plumbing in top shape is key to having a functional outdoor space and preventing common drainage problems.

By inspecting your drainage system, clearing debris, installing French drains and fixing surface and sub surface problems you can protect your garden from pooling water, soil erosion and weed infestation. Don’t neglect the importance of professional help – licensed plumbers and drainage experts can provide solutions tailored to your needs.

By taking these proactive steps your backyard will be healthy, your investment will be protected and you’ll have a dry garden all year round.

Please note: Thanks for reading our blog “7 Backyard Plumbing Maintenance Tips”. This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.