If there’s one thing we Brits know all too well, it’s rain. And lots of it. According to the Met Office, the UK gets a whopping 133 days of rain each year on average. That’s more than one in three days spent dodging puddles and dashing between downpours!
But while we might joke about our perpetually damp climate, there’s nothing funny about discovering your garden’s turned into a swamp, your driveway’s sprouting its own ecosystem, or worse – water’s making an unwelcome appearance in your home.
At L Groundworks, we’ve seen firsthand how poor drainage can turn a dream property into a soggy nightmare. The good news? A bit of proper groundwork at the start can save you years of wellies-required gardening and expensive remedial work. Let’s dig into how to keep your property high and dry.
Why Drainage Goes Wrong: It’s Not Just About the Rain
Before we get into solutions, let’s talk about why drainage problems happen in the first place. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about living in rainy Britain.
Even in less soggy parts of the country, drainage issues can crop up due to:
- Changes to the landscape – That gorgeous extension or new patio might have altered where water naturally flows
- Clay-heavy soil – Acts like nature’s shower tray, holding water at the surface
- Compacted soil – Often a legacy of the construction process, preventing natural drainage
- Rising groundwater levels – A growing problem in many areas due to climate change
- Blocked or damaged drainage systems – Old pipes don’t last forever!
We once worked on a property in Surrey where the owners couldn’t figure out why their previously dry garden had turned into a quagmire. Turns out their neighbour’s new driveway had redirected all the rainwater straight onto their lawn. Not exactly neighbourly, eh?
Getting Groundwork Right: Prevention Is Better Than Cure
The secret to good drainage isn’t rocket science – it’s about understanding how water moves and giving it somewhere sensible to go. Here are the key elements we consider for every project:
1. Proper Site Assessment: Know What You’re Working With
Before a single shovel hits the dirt, we need to understand:
- Natural topography – Where does water want to flow naturally?
- Soil type – Sandy soil drains quickly; clay hangs onto water like it’s going out of fashion
- Existing drainage features – What’s already in place, and is it working?
- Groundwater levels – Particularly important in low-lying areas
We use a combination of visual inspection, digging test pits, and sometimes more technical surveys. On one project near Manchester, we discovered an old Victorian culvert running under the property that nobody knew existed – explains why the basement kept flooding despite everyone’s best efforts!
2. Smart Landscaping: Work With Nature, Not Against It
Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the best:
- Land grading – Gently sloping the ground away from buildings (aim for a 2-4% slope)
- Swales – Shallow, planted depressions that channel water away naturally
- Rain gardens – Beautiful planted areas designed to temporarily hold and soak in rainwater
- Permeable surfaces – For driveways and patios that let water drain through rather than run off
One of our clients in the Lake District (where they know a thing or two about rain!) incorporated a lovely dry creek bed into their landscaping. Not only does it look smashing, but it also directs water away from their cottage during those biblical downpours they get up there.
3. Robust Drainage Systems: The Hidden Heroes
This is where the proper groundwork really happens – installing systems that will quietly do their job for decades:
- French drains – Gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipes that collect and redirect water
- Soakaways – Underground structures that collect rainwater and allow it to slowly soak into the ground
- Land drains – Perforated pipes laid in a herringbone pattern to drain waterlogged areas
- Attenuation tanks – Store excess rainwater during storms and release it slowly afterwards
The key to all of these is proper installation. We’ve seen countless DIY drainage attempts that failed because of insufficient depth, incorrect fall, or using the wrong backfill material. Getting it right first time saves a world of pain later.
4. Foundation Protection: Keep It Bone Dry
Water and foundations mix about as well as cats and baths. Proper groundwork around foundations includes:
- Waterproof membranes – Creating barriers that water can’t penetrate
- Capillary breaks – Preventing water from wicking up into the structure
- External perimeter drains – Capturing water before it reaches foundation walls
- Adequate compaction – Preventing settlement that could direct water towards the building
We worked on a property in Yorkshire where the owners had spent thousands trying to fix a damp basement. Turns out the builder had saved a few quid by skimping on the waterproof membrane. Penny wise, pound foolish doesn’t begin to cover it!
5. Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS): The Future-Proof Approach
With climate change bringing more intense rainfall events, sustainable drainage isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential:
- Green roofs – Absorb rainwater at source while providing insulation
- Rain harvesting – Collecting rainwater for garden use reduces runoff and water bills
- Permeable paving – Allows water to filter through rather than run off
- Detention basins – Temporary storage areas that fill during heavy rain
For commercial projects, SuDS are now often a planning requirement, but they make sense for residential properties too. One of our clients installed a simple rain harvesting system and hasn’t used mains water for their garden in three years – good for the planet and their wallet!
Common Groundwork Mistakes: Don’t Let These Happen to You
We’ve seen plenty of drainage disasters over the years. Here are the top groundwork sins to avoid:
- Insufficient fall on drainage pipes – Water needs gravity! The standard is a 1:40 fall minimum
- Poor compaction around pipes – Leads to settlement and broken pipes
- Inadequate filter membrane – Results in silt-clogged drains within months
- Connecting to already overloaded systems – Just moves the problem elsewhere
- Ignoring the bigger picture – Your property is part of a wider drainage catchment
I remember one project where another contractor had installed a beautiful new patio with drainage that emptied directly into the client’s neighbour’s flower beds. You can imagine how well that went down over the fence!
When to Call in the Professionals
While there are some drainage tasks suitable for keen DIYers (cleaning gutters, anyone?), proper groundwork usually requires professional help. Here’s when you definitely need to call in experts like us:
- New builds or major extensions – Get the groundwork right from the start
- Recurring drainage problems – If your DIY fixes aren’t cutting it
- Waterlogging affecting foundations – This is serious business
- Complex sites – Steep slopes, high water tables, or clay soils need expert handling
- Planning requirements – Many developments now need formal drainage strategies
Ready to Get Your Groundwork Sorted?
If you’re building, extending, landscaping, or just fed up with squelching across your lawn nine months of the year, proper groundwork is an investment that pays dividends for decades.
At L Groundworks, we pride ourselves on drainage solutions that stand the test of time (and the Great British weather). We don’t just fix problems – we prevent them from happening in the first place with thoughtful design and meticulous installation.
Get in touch for a chat about your drainage challenges, and let’s get your property on solid, dry ground.
