Home › Learn From The Pros › How to Properly Manage Stormwater Runoff How to Properly Manage Stormwater Runoff July 6, 2022 Heavy stormwater runoff can easily lead to landscape erosion. It’s helpful to know how to manage stormwater to keep it from affecting your property. By learning a few techniques in water runoff mitigation, you will have better control of how much water is accumulating on your property and keep your home safe. Advantage Seamless Gutters, one of the top local gutter installers, shares more insight. Addressing the Runoff Problem As a homeowner, you should first understand how water runoff happens. During a heavy downpour, any water that doesn’t get soaked into the ground becomes runoff. This is more likely to happen on sidewalks, streets, driveways or any hard surface designed for foot traffic. You’ll easily recognize runoff as the little streams of water flowing toward the nearest drain. Your roof is also designed to direct stormwater runoff toward the gutters. The water is then channeled to the downspouts and down the storm drain. Your gutters must be the correct size so they can handle the usual amount of rainfall in your area. Stormwater runoff becomes a problem if it overflows your gutters and storm drains, which leads to localized flooding that can ruin your lawn and landscape. If this is a recurring problem, call your trusted local gutter company to check if your gutters are the right size. Drain Solutions to Consider Despite having a solid roof and gutter system to channel stormwater runoff, mitigation efforts may be necessary to minimize erosion and damage on your property. Here are a few solutions to consider: Install a dry well. Also known as an infiltration trench, a dry well is a gravel-filled underground storage area. The water runoff comes mostly from your gutters and is captured by the dry well to be stored in the void spaces between the gravel. The water will then slowly filter into the ground or flow out through an underdrain. Consider permeable materials. If you’re planning a major home renovation this season, consider a more permeable material for your driveway or patio. Popular examples include gravel, mulch, aggregate base and even crushed seashells. You can also go for asphalt and pervious concrete, but they can be a bit pricey. For high-quality gutters replacement service, turn to Advantage Seamless Gutters. Call us today at (218) 270-2663 or fill out our convenient online request form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Baxter and Brainerd, MN.