From soaked basements to flooded out roads, heavy rains can pose a significant problem for communities. For homeowners with flood-prone properties, each rainstorm can bring stress and damage. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to reduce flooding and protect your property.
In this blog, we’ll explore a few solutions you can implement at home to manage stormwater.
Rain barrels: Capture Rain Before It Becomes Runoff
One of the easiest ways to start managing rainwater is by installing a rain barrel. Rain barrels connect to your downspout and collect rain that falls on your roof, which reduces the amount of stormwater that runs off your property.
At the same time, rain barrels give you a free, clean water source to water your gardens or wash your car. Installing a rain barrel is a simple way to control rainwater and put it to good use.
Native Plants: Soak Up Rain
Stormwater is an issue in urban and suburban areas where paved surfaces prevent rain from soaking into the ground. When rain can’t go into the ground, it flows over roads, parking lots, and driveways, picking up pollutants before ultimately entering local rivers and streams through storm drains.
Here’s where native plants can help. Native plants are trees, flowers, and grasses that are specifically adapted to our climate. In Illinois, prairie plants have deep root systems that help rainwater infiltrate into the soil instead of pooling on the surface.
As a bonus, native plants are also essential habitat for local birds and butterflies. By planting a native garden, you can soak up stormwater, create wildlife habitat, and add beauty to your landscape at home.
Rain Gardens: Collect and Infiltrate Stormwater
A rain garden is a garden that is intentionally designed to collect and infiltrate stormwater. Typically, rain gardens are shallow depressions planted with rain-loving native plants. Downspouts can direct water into the garden, and native plants will go to work on soaking up stormwater. While rain gardens can vary in size and complexity, even a simple rain garden can be effective at addressing flooding issues.
Direct Your Downspout: Move Rain Away from Your Home
A misdirected downspout can cause unnecessary problems for your home. When working properly, downspouts should direct rain that falls on your roof away from your foundation. To prevent issues, inspect your downspouts the next time it rains:
- Ensure water flows away from your home’s foundation.
- Check for leaks, blockages, or disconnected parts of your downspouts and gutters.
- If water is pooling at the base, you can extend the downspout to direct rain water further away.
- If the ground near the downspout slopes toward your home, reposition the downspout or adjust the grading to improve drainage.
Sometimes a quick downspout adjustment can make a difference in preventing water damage from flooding.
Indoor Flooding Tips: Be Prepared
While this blog focuses on outdoor solutions for flood prevention like native plants and rain barrels, you can consider indoor actions to prepare for potential flooding:
- Install and maintain a sump pump to protect your basement from flooding. Make sure to have a backup battery in case your home electricity is cut off.
- Remove valuables from flood-prone areas or store them in waterproof containers.
- Seal foundation cracks and basement walls to prevent seepage.
Stormwater Solutions Add Up
Beginning to manage stormwater at home is a great step toward protecting your property from flooding. Whether you start with a rain barrel or a native garden, every action helps reduce runoff and minimize flood risks.
Stormwater solutions can extend beyond the home and into the community too. Some municipalities are planting larger-scale native gardens, creating bioswales, or paving parking lots with permeable pavers that let stormwater reach the ground. When homeowners and communities work together, these collective efforts create more resilient neighborhoods.
