Runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets is a major problem, especially for cities. It can cause problems such as flooding and pollution from the salt used to melt the ice. Here are some tips on how to reduce this.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
The gutters need to be clean from all possible debris that can cause them to shut. Every single Stormwater Management service will explain that this is necessary to keep the gutters and downspouts functional. If you do not take care of your gutter cleaning yourself, then call a professional that is experienced in removing debris from them. If there are heavy rains or snowmelt waters causing flooding problems on your property due to clogged gutters, it may be time for some serious clean-up action!
This is an essential task for keeping the gutters and downspouts in place. It is not as hard as it may sound, but there are important things to do along with taking care of this job.
Keep your gutter cleaning tools together so you can easily find them when you want to begin work on keeping your gutters clean. To make sure they stay sharp for a long time, keep all blades covered against rusting or corroding by oiling them very well before putting them away for storage.
Keep Leaves Off Sidewalks
Never let leaves pile up on the sidewalk. Not only is it an eyesore, but it can also lead to dangerous conditions and water runoff. By keeping leaves off of the sidewalks, you can help reduce the amount of rainwater or melted snow that flows into the street. This is especially important during the winter months when there is more potential for ice on the ground.
Leaves provide a perfect place for water to collect and freeze, creating slippery surfaces and dangerous conditions. In addition, if too much rainwater accumulates on leaves, it can eventually flow over onto the street, causing flooding. Make sure to keep your sidewalks clear of all debris so that everyone can stay safe and dry!
Keep Plant Cut Back Away From The House
Always try to keep your plants cut back away from the house. This will help to reduce the amount of runoff that happens when it rains or when the snow melts. Not only is this helpful for keeping your home looking nicer, but it’s also better for the environment! Make sure to take care of your landscaping and keep everything looking neat and tidy. It will be worth it in the long run!
Here are the plants you need to do this with:
- Shrubs
- Trees
- Bushes
- Hedges
- Vines
Make sure to watch some tutorials for more information on how to keep your plants cut back and looking great. Water runoff is a common problem during rainstorms or when melted snow flows off of roofs. By keeping plant material cut back away from the house, will help reduce the amount of water runoff and protect your home from potential flooding.
Create A Rain Garden
The purpose of a rain garden is to absorb rainwater or melted snow that falls on impermeable surfaces like roofs, driveways, and sidewalks. These gardens are placed in the areas of land adjacent to buildings where drain tiles lead into storm sewers. They can be designed as small “pocket” rain gardens next to a house or larger ones located along city streets with multiple homes benefiting from its installation.
Rainfall captured by these types of gardens reduces runoff volume (amount), peak flow rates (intensity), and sediment transport capacity during storms events creating healthier ecosystems downstream through reduction of erosion, flooding hazards, and water pollution caused by increased volumes which would otherwise reach waterways untreated after heavy rainfall episodes increasing the risk for aquatic life extinction further down the line.
To create your own pocket rain garden, you will need a spade or shovel, soil amendments (peat moss, compost, topsoil), and plants (a mix of perennials and grasses that can tolerate wet soils).
Digging a hole about 18 inches deep, mix the native soil with some of the organic matter you have gathered. Place the plants in the center of the hole and fill it in around them with more soil mixture. Water well after planting and continue to water during dry periods. Mulch around the plants to help keep moisture in and discourage weed growth.
Larger rain gardens are typically designed by landscape professionals who take into account factors such as slope, drainage, plant selection, and soil type.
Install A Sump Pump
If a rain garden isn’t an option, then installing a sump pump can help reduce this daunting problem. Sump pumps work by pumping water out of your basement and away from your home. There are a few different types of sump pumps, so be sure to choose the one that is best suited for your needs.
There are a number of factors you’ll need to take into account when installing a sump pump, including the size of your basement, the height of the water table, and the type of soil you have. You’ll also need to make sure there is an outlet where the pump can discharge the water. If possible, it’s best to install the pump near a drainage ditch or storm sewer.
This is usually done by installing a PVC pipe from the pump to the outlet. Make sure you install a check valve so that water doesn’t flow back into the sump pit.
Install A Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are a huge help when it comes to preventing runoff from entering our streets. A rain barrel is a container used to collect water for reuse later, such as watering plants or trees in your yard during dry periods. You can make one yourself by installing it under the downspout on your roof and using some type of spigot so you can easily access the stored water when needed.
There are many benefits associated with installing this simple device and one of them is watering outdoor vegetation.
It also reduces stormwater runoff into local waterways which reduces erosion and pollution caused by contaminated stormwater runoff. This also helps prevent basement flooding due to the lack of storm sewers where they live. By keeping that clean rain/melted snow out of stretches it will reduce sedimentation and pollution that cause water quality problems and fish kills. Not to mention the fact it will help keep our streets cleaner, too!
Rainwater and melted snow can cause a lot of trouble and damage so make sure you always keep the gutters as well as the streets clean from leaves and other debris. Also, you should always keep plants cut back away from your house. A huge help can be if you make a rain garden, sump pump, or even a rain barrel. With these tips, you won’t have trouble with rainwater and melted snow again!
