When Record Rain Exposed a Drainage Problem in My Yard, These Easy Fixes Made a Big Difference
If you live in the Pacific Northwest like me, you don’t need a forecast to tell you the weather has been intense. We’re in the middle of historic rainfall, with atmospheric rivers dropping relentless waves of water across the region – and like many homeowners, I’ve been watching the rain pile up and wondering where it’s all supposed to go.
For me, that question became urgent when I discovered a collapsed drainpipe right in the middle of one of the heaviest storms so far. With water pooling around my foundation and seeping into my crawlspace, I suddenly needed solutions fast: practical ways to redirect rainwater and protect my home before a professional could step in and address the bigger drainage issues.
Excessive rain or snow can be stressful, but the good news is that even small changes can make a meaningful difference in how water moves around your home. Whether you’re dealing with record-breaking rainfall now or just want to be better prepared for the next storm or snowmelt, these solutions will help protect your home and put excess water to better use in your yard. For me, they’ve been a necessary first line of defense – and a reminder that sometimes the most effective fixes are also the simplest.
1. Immediate Solutions to Redirect Water
Intense weather systems, whether they be rain or snow, are happening now all over the United States. If water is already pooling near your foundation or finding its way inside, you’re in luck. I’ve found a few simple, affordable fixes that can make a noticeable difference right away. Tools like gutter extenders, splash guards, and downspout cleaners are designed to quickly redirect water away from your home, clear hidden blockages, and buy you valuable time before a professional repair is possible.
Attach an extender to your downspout to immediately, and effectively, direct water away from your foundation. Place the other end in some thirsty plants to use your rain water or snow melt to your garden’s advantage.
Splash guards are so easy to use - you just place them, and they do the hard work of directing water away from your house. They’re designed to slow down water flow, meaning less splashing on your siding or foundation.
Don’t risk climbing a ladder in a storm to clean out your gutters. This telescopic gutter cleaner lets you clear your gutters out from ground level – and prevents backups and pooling water.
2. Long-Term Preventative Measures
Once the immediate flood risk is under control, the next step is thinking about prevention. Long-term drainage solutions and simple maintenance tasks can go a long way toward keeping water flowing where it should: away from your foundation and out into the landscape. These upgrades don’t just help during extreme weather events; they also reduce everyday clogs, backups, and overflow, making your home and yard more resilient season after season.
Gutter guards help prevent leaves, mud, and debris from building up in your gutters and downspouts in the first place, allowing water to flow freely even in stormy weather.
After finding one of my own downspouts completely blocked with mud and debris, these downspout filters are high on my list to install to help prevent future backups.
Thread a drain auger through one of your downspouts or drains to clear out any gunk in your underground pipes and keep water flowing freely year round.
