Dealing With Standing Water in Your Garden

Water that sits for hours or days after rainfall is telling you something: it is arriving faster than the ground or the drainage can move it away.

Hard surfaces are a common contributor. Driveways, paths and patios shed almost all the water that lands on them, and if levels direct that run-off towards the property or onto a lawn, the result is standing water in the same spot every time.

Ground conditions matter too. Compacted or heavy soil absorbs water slowly, so a lawn that was fine for years can start holding water after building work, landscaping or heavy use.

The right answer depends on the cause. Sometimes it is a question of levels and falls, sometimes of adding a route for water to escape, and sometimes of keeping existing rainwater goods clear and working. An assessment on site is what separates guesswork from a fix that lasts.