How We Protected This Pickerington Property from 5 Inches of Rain (And Why It Matters)
Double B Excavations & Grade LLC
Looking Back on the Pickerington Job
VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON THIS BIG PROJECT
When nature decides to test your work, it doesn't hold back.
This week, our latest Pickerington project faced exactly that kind of test - five inches of rain in a single week.
That's the kind of rainfall that can turn a property into a muddy mess if the drainage isn't done right.
But here's the thing about proper drainage - you don't really notice it until you need it.
It's like having good insurance.
You might wonder if it's worth the extra effort and planning, right up until that moment when you really need it.
And this week in Pickerington, our careful planning paid off big time.
Welcome to Double B!
Project Overview
This wasn't a small job. We're talking about 10,000 square feet that needed proper drainage and protection. That's about the size of two basketball courts put together. When you're working with that much land, you can't just hope the water figures out where to go - you need a plan.
Our approach combined two key elements: carefully designed swales (those are like gentle valleys that guide water where you want it to go) and hydroseeding to protect the soil. We positioned these swales strategically across the property, making sure every drop of water had a clear path to follow. Think of it like creating little highways for rainwater, keeping it away from where it could cause problems.
The farm field at the back of the property didn't need the same level of attention, but we still wanted everything to look clean and professional. After all, a job worth doing is worth doing right, even the parts people might not see every day.
The Drainage Solution
Let me walk you through how we made this work. First, we had to really understand how water naturally moves across this Pickerington property. You can't fight gravity, but you can definitely work with it. That's where our swale system comes in.
We designed the main swales to run along both sides of the property, but we didn't stop there. During the project, we spotted an opportunity to add another swale that runs from one corner post to another. This might sound like overkill, but when you're dealing with Ohio weather, there's no such thing as too much drainage protection. Each swale works together, like a team, to move water exactly where we want it to go.
Think of swales like nature's gutters - they catch the water and guide it away from areas where it could cause problems. The key is making them gentle enough that they look natural but effective enough to handle whatever weather comes their way.
Adding Protection with Hydroseeding
Now, swales alone aren't enough. You need to protect them, or they'll just wash away over time. That's where hydroseeding comes in. We sprayed about 10,000 square feet of hydroseed along these swales this morning. Easton and I made sure we covered every crucial spot.
If you're not familiar with hydroseeding, it's basically a super-efficient way to establish grass quickly. We spray a special mix of grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer that sticks to the soil and starts growing fast. This does two important things: first, it prevents erosion (that's when rain washes away your good topsoil), and second, it makes everything look clean and finished.
The real genius here is that the grass roots will grow deep and help hold everything in place. So not only does the property look better, but it's also getting stronger and more protected every day. It's like putting down nature's armor against erosion.
Proof in the Pudding
You know what they say - the proof is in the pudding. Well, we got our proof this week when the weather decided to give our work an early test. Five inches of rain in a week is no joke - that's the kind of rainfall that can turn bad drainage into big headaches for property owners.
But here's what happened: our swales handled it perfectly. The water flowed exactly where it was supposed to go, with no pooling, no washouts, and no mess. When we came back to check, everything was working just like we drew it up on paper. That's the kind of result that makes us proud of what we do.
Wrapping it Up
Here's the bottom line: good drainage might not be the most exciting part of property ownership, but it's definitely one of the most important. When it's done right, you don't have to worry every time the forecast calls for heavy rain. Your property stays protected, your soil stays where it belongs, and you can focus on enjoying your land instead of fighting with water problems.
That's exactly what we've achieved with this Pickerington project. The swales are working, the hydroseeding is taking root, and the property is ready to handle whatever weather comes its way. It's another example of why taking the time to do things right the first time pays off in the long run.
If you've got water issues on your property, or you're planning a project and want to make sure drainage is handled properly from the start, we'd love to take a look. Because the best time to solve drainage problems is before they become problems at all.
