After a long stretch of dry and warm weather, we are finally seeing some low-pressure trends off the Pacific that will bring much-needed rain to our area. We’re all hoping for a wet winter and if our wishes are granted, you’ll want to prepare your property for this upcoming rain. Since our 2020 winter was exceptionally parched, you may have forgotten about that drainage problem that floods your garage, that leaky roof on your shed, or maybe that precarious tree limb dangling over your driveway. Whatever your property’s short comings, it’s important to spend some time shoring up these potential hazards. Below are some common issues to look for.
Trees
These large friends may pose the greatest risk to your home and safety. Failing limbs, uprooting trees and cracking trunks can all cause severe destruction. After a storm it is important to inspect every tree on your property. Start by making sure there are no hanging limbs that may break and fall while you are performing your inspection. Next, investigate the trunk and root system for any cracks in the tree or the soil. Cracking or heaving soil around a tree can signal a potential for failure and should be reviewed by a certified arborist. Lastly, do a scan of the canopy to ensure there are no cracked or hanging branches, (binoculars come in handy for tall and large trees). Many tree and limb failures have warning signs and directly after a storm will be an optimal time to gauge probable issues. If you have any concerns, I recommend contacting a local tree company or arborist to come take a look. Some large trees can be cabled as a proactive approach to save them from splitting or limb failure.
Drainage
We tend to forget about our underground water management systems until they don’t work properly. One of the first things to look for is any clogged or blocked drains. If you do find a blockage, try to get it cleaned out before the hard rains return. Next, confirm that your downspouts and gutters are clear and also make sure they are steered in the right direction; poor design can cause additional issues or pooling along your house foundation. Each property will have different drainage components. For example, if you have a sump pump make sure to check that this unit still works and is ready to pump out unwanted water. If drainage problems go unchecked, it can lead to failed retaining walls, damaged siding on homes, erosion and much more.
Plants and landscaping
Occasionally planting areas can become flooded, which may pose harm to sensitive plants and flowers. Proper swales and grading are vital to get water moving out of your planted areas, as sitting water can kill your beautiful plants. You can use a dry creek bed as an easy and effective way to divert water into an area where it won’t impair delicate greenery. A dry creek bed is a low lying area or swale that is covered with cobble stone and sparsely added with water loving plants such as Juncus or Carex grasses. This provides a stable location for water to slow down and absorb into the soil. It should always be your intention to retain all stormwater on your property and give it a chance to soak into the soil, recharging our aquifers and eliminating oils and debris from flowing into storm drains.
Hillside and erosion
Similar to trees and tree limbs, your hillsides will “talk” to you about their stability if you’re willing to listen. There are often signals as your hillside begins to become saturated and unstable. Some of these signs may include small amounts of soil movement, cracking in the soil structure, water seeping out of the base of the hillside and water run-off becoming concentrated in one area. Survey your hillsides for these and other signs of possible erosion, looking closely at areas where vegetation is sparse, such as surfaces recently burned or relandscaped. If a hillside has been newly graded, it should be considered high-risk and protected with a ground cover. This could include landscape fabric, mulch, planting, or plastic, but never leave freshly graded areas exposed to the elements.
Fencing
Heavy storms bring with it strong winds, which we all know can disrupt and damage fencing. Fence boards can act as a sail in the wind creating tremendous stress on your fence posts. Walk the perimeters looking for any battered or loose sections and strongly shake the fence to check for its stability. Don’t forget gates and entry ways as well. Identifying these issues now can help save time and money in the future.
Proactiveness is always the best approach when it comes to your landscaping, so take the time now to check for these potential threats before the (hopefully) heavy rains come this winter!