Does your lawn struggle to drain away water after heavy rainfall? Let’s take a look at why this can occur, how to stop waterlogging and the best way to help get your lawn on the mend.
Skip to: How does a lawn become waterlogged? What should I do when my lawn is waterlogged? How can I fix a waterlogged lawn?
Why Is a Waterlogged Lawn Bad?
Water is an essential element when it comes to caring for your lawn. Regular rainfall and irrigation help prevent your turf from drying out and becoming heat stressed. However, when there is a large amount of rainfall, and this moisture sits in the soil for an extended period, it can cause more harm than good.
Some waterlogged-related issues include:
- Root rot
- Disease
- Turf discolouration
- In extreme cases, turf death
How Does a Lawn Become Waterlogged?
Waterlogging will occur when drainage is poor or when there is excess rainfall over a short period. The soil underneath the grass will either reach its natural drainage capacity or the soil base will be unable to absorb more water.
If your soil has trouble draining away moisture after short periods of rainfall, other contributing factors may be at play. These include:
- Compacted soil base
- High clay content in soil base
- Excess thatch buildup within the turf profile
- Poor grading (area not sloped correctly)
If you haven’t been experiencing rainfall, and your lawn is waterlogged, this may be a sign that your irrigation system is leaking and needs to be addressed quickly.
What Should I Do When My Lawn Is Waterlogged?
When your lawn is waterlogged, it is important to keep traffic to a minimum until the area has a chance to dry out. This will help prevent compaction and divots within the soil profile.
After allowing a few days to pass and evaporation has taken place, you can then fix the underlying issue.
How Can I Fix a Waterlogged Lawn?
Waterlogging from Compaction
If waterlogging has resulted from soil compaction, we recommend aerating your soil. Aeration can be carried out in numerous ways, but one of the easiest and most effective options is to use a garden fork. To aerate, drive the fork into the profile and give it a good wiggle. Then, repeat this process across the affected area. This will help water absorb further down into the soil profile. If your lawn regularly receives foot traffic, consider adding this to your yearly lawn care schedule to help prevent further compaction-related issues.
Waterlogging from High Clay Content Soil
Use a clay breaker like gypsum if your waterlogging issues stem from high amounts of clay within your soil profile. Applying gypsum will help break up the clay into a ‘crumbly’ texture, better allowing for water movement within the soil.
Waterlogging from Excess Thatch Buildup
When waterlogging stems from an excess buildup of thatch, look at dethatching your lawn. Dethatching your lawn can be completed in a few different ways. Some popular options include:
- Mowing low
- Using a dethatching rake
- Specialised dethatching machine
For more information on dethatching your lawn, please check out our blog here.
Please note, dethatching is best done in Spring and Summer and should be avoided in the cooler months while growth has slowed.
Waterlogging from Poor Grading
Poor grading will impact where excess water runoff will pool. Ideally, you want to ensure the levels gently slope away from your house, towards a drainage system. This process will often require the help of a landscaper or drainage expert who can assess your property’s drainage needs.
For more lawn care tips and advice, check out our other lawn care blogs here.
