A beautiful garden can beautify a house, but some gardening practices can cause drainage troubles. It seems like household garbage is usually connected with blocked drains. However, homeowners might be quite shocked to discover that it is possible for gardens to clog drains too. Leaks, soil, and landscaping can create a situation where a homeowner is unable to use his or her garden without facing any trouble. Experts advise homeowners to think about the interaction between their drainage systems and plants and garden debris. Here are seven mistakes made in gardening which lead to clogged drains.
Planting Trees Near Drain Pipes
The first mistake homeowners make when planting trees is not considering drainage pipes. Roots always seek out water. They can easily get into small holes in the pipes and create major blockages over time. Such trees that have aggressive root systems are even more likely to cause blockages. The tree itself might look healthy; however, its roots can damage the pipes. The only way to solve such a problem will be to repair or change a pipe, which might cost homeowners a lot of money.
Letting Fallen Leaves Collect in Gardens
It might seem impossible, but the accumulation of leaves in gardens can cause homeowners to pay attention to clogged drain pipes. During rain, fallen leaves create a mat that impedes water flowing through. In this case, the drainage system does not function properly and water starts piling up on patios, paths, and in flowerbeds. Therefore, fallen leaves need to be swept away periodically in order to avoid this problem.
Using Excessive Mulching Near Drain Pipes
While mulch is quite beneficial in many aspects and it does not hurt the plants, sometimes people use too much mulch. After rain, heavy rains wash mulch into drains and block them. Organic mulches break down and start creating tiny pieces that can clog the drainage system. It is better to keep the mulch away from the drain and use edging materials.
Wiping Off Compost, Soil, and Potting Mix from the Drain Pipes
Some gardeners wipe excess potting mix, soil, compost and other materials onto drains. It might seem harmless because soil particles are so tiny that they will not clog anything. But once the drainage system gets filled with soil particles, it might start leaking. That is why one needs to sweep all this stuff instead of washing it. It should not be allowed to collect inside the drain.
Failing to Take Care of Drain Covers
Drain covers serve an important purpose – to protect the drains. Still, sometimes owners fail to inspect them. Grass clippings, leaves, twigs, and dirt are known for accumulating near drain covers. Homeowners often pay attention to this matter when the drainage problem appears already, but at this point, it might be hard to deal with the trouble.
Choosing Plants That Have Aggressive Roots
There are plants that homeowners should avoid planting near drain pipes. For example, some types of shrubs, bamboo, and fast-growing trees develop such roots that start growing beyond the plant and can enter the pipes. In this case, they will create blockages sooner or later. Thus, before planting something new in the garden, homeowners should check whether they have aggressive roots.
Disregarding Warning Signs of Poor Drainage in Gardens
Small drainage problems will only grow with time if homeowners do nothing about them. Puddles, wet spots, smells, or other signs of poor drainage should not be left as they are since they might turn into bigger issues later. That is why it is necessary to address them immediately and save both the garden and the drains.
