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When To Call a Professional for Backyard Drainage Issues?

Read Time: 5 min

Last Update: 17 September 2025

When To Call a Professional for Backyard Drainage Issues?
Summary

Backyard drainage issues are not just an inconvenience, they can damage your garden, outdoor areas, and even your home. Common problems like pooling water, soggy lawns, soil erosion, and blocked drains are signs that your system isn’t working properly. If water lingers for more than a day, plants are stressed, or cracks appear around your deck, pathways, or foundations, it’s time to call a professional. Silver Drains specialises in diagnosing and fixing these problems with tailored solutions such as French drains, trench drains, and stormwater systems.

One of the most important ways to keep a functional backyard is to invest in professional backyard drainage. Poor drainage can lead to water pooling, soil erosion and even damage to your home. Knowing when to call a professional for your backyard drainage issues can save you time, money and stress. Here are some of the most common backyard drainage problems and the key signs of when to call a drainage plumber

Common Backyard Drainage Issues 

Backyard drainage issues can be caused by many different things and a professional plumber can help you identify the cause and provide you with effective solutions. If you have any of these issues you may need to call a professional to inspect your systems before it’s too late. 

1. Water Pooling 

One of the easiest ways to identify drainage problems is water pooling in your backyard. While puddles are common, excess pooling or flooding indicates that your soil or drainage systems cannot handle heavier rainfall. Standing water can damage your grass, soil and increase the risk of mosquitos. 

Call a professional if:

  • The water remains pooling for 24-48 hours after rainfall
  • Puddles are starting to appear in areas that were previously dry 
  • Water is seeping into the foundations, patios or decks near your home

2. Soggy Lawns and Gardens

If your backyard is constantly soggy or flooding and your plants are looking worse for wear, it's a sign that your yard drainage is preventing water from flowing away naturally. Things like blockages in pipes and drains can cause the water to linger longer than it is supposed to and create soggy areas that can damage your backyard.

Call a professional if:

  • The water takes longer than a day to subside 
  • There is constantly soggy areas even in normal rainfall 
  • Existing drains appear to be blocked 
  • Plants seem to be showing signs or damage or stress

3. Soil Erosion

Soil erosion occurs when the water is pooling, flooding or running and washes away the soil from garden beds or lawns. Erosion can leave ditches or patches in your backyard and damage your landscape. Over time, the soil can accumulate in certain areas which can worsen the water pooling issues affecting the efficiency of your backyard drainage system. 

Call a professional if:

  • You notice bare patches in your backyard 
  • Slopes or gardens keep washing away 
  • Soil is accumulating in random areas of your yard
  • Erosion is starting to affect the structure of your home 

4. Damage to Decks or Pathways

Excess water in your yard can cause damage to your outdoor features such as decks and pathways. Water that collects around the base can seep in underneath causing them to rot, shift or crack. A well-designed backyard drainage solution can prevent water from damaging these areas, ensuring you don’t have to invest in costly repairs. 

Call a professional if:

  • You notice cracks in your pathways or along the base of your home 
  • Your deck is showing signs of rot or water discolouration 
  • Pavers or concrete start to shift 

 

5. Structural Damage To Your Home

The last thing you want is having to repair both your backyard and your house. One of the more serious problems of poor backyard drainage is structural damage to your home. Water that consistently pools near your house can seep into the foundations, leading to cracks, mold and other serious damage. A professional will help design a drainage system for your backyard that can be placed in areas alongside the base of your house to protect it. 

Call a professional if:

  • You see cracks in the foundations, walls or base of your home
  • If you notice damp patches, discolouration or leaks inside your home
  • You notice pools of water forming close to your home 

6. Blocked Drains

Sometimes the issue can be with your existing drain system. Blocked drains are caused by the build up of leaves, debris or sediment that can prevent water from flowing. Over time this can cause pipes to crack or collapse which causes the drain to block and your garden to flood. Professional inspection and maintenance using CCTV drain cameras can identify any blockages so they can be repaired on site. 

Call a professional if: 

  • Your drains are smelly, slow, overflowing or making weird noises
  • Water is backing up into your garden bed or lawns
  • You suspect cracks or damage to pipes underground 
  • You continue to have blocked drain issues

7. Old Drainage Systems 

Often with older homes, the drainage solutions are no longer effective in capturing heavier rainfall. A backyard drainage installation that was adequate years ago may no longer be able to handle excess water. Plumbers can assess your yard and install a new type of backyard drain that aligns with your property and needs. 

Call a professional if:

  • The existing drainage system is old
  • You’ve added new landscaping that affects the water flow 
  • You want to upgrade your existing drain to a different backyard drainage system

The Benefits of Professional Backyard Drainage Solutions 

While some minor drainage issues can be addressed with small fixes, a professional approach offers several benefits:

  • Professional plumbers can accurately diagnose the root cause of the drainage issue using specialised technology rather than just treating the causes. 
  • Every backyard is different, so a customised residential backyard drainage solution ensures water is redirected efficiently to prevent future damage.
  • Drainage solutions such as french drains and trench drains can sometimes be complex depending on the location, professional solutions make sure they are installed and functioning correctly.
  • Getting a professional to fix your plumbing systems can resolve any hidden issues, which can save you costs on repairs later.

How To Prevent Future Backyard Drainage Problems?

Once your backyard drainage system is installed or repaired, preventative or regular maintenance can help make sure your system is functioning properly. A professional will provide guidance on:

  • Cleaning and inspecting drains regularly 
  • Help prevent soil erosion
  • Regular inspections to detect issues early 

Who Should You Call?

If you’re experiencing persistent pooling, flooding, or slow-draining areas in your yard, it’s time to take action. With so many options for residential backyard drainage solutions, professionals can design and install systems that keep water flowing away from your property. Silver Drains and Plumbing are expert drainage specialists on the Central Coast who provide trusted solutions that work. Don’t wait till it’s too late, call us today on 0480 020 848!



Published by: Kamran Khan16 September 2025

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