In part one of this two-part blog series, we dug into some basics on how to deal with spring runoff and protect your concrete surfaces. Improper runoff control during spring, which is the month where water runoff is most significant, can lead to major concrete damage risks, especially if the concrete slab is already dealing with cracks or other issues.
At Lift Right Concrete, we're happy to not only provide a wide variety of concrete lifting and leveling services for cases where concrete issues are occurring, but also expertise to stop them from happening to begin with. This expertise includes properly handling spring rain runoff – and while you may not actually have to do this for another couple months, this Utah winter has been so strange that we wanted to make sure you were prepared in case it's a very early spring this year. Here are a few other themes or areas we commonly recommend to clients for protecting their concrete surfaces – especially those near or connected to the home foundation – from spring runoff.
If you've been in your home for several years and are already well aware of certain areas where runoff tends to pool up or create issues, you can create a runoff catcher in this area (or in multiple such areas). Rain barrels are simple options here for many, as are cisterns that can be used to catch rainwater.
And in many cases, this water can be repurposed. Many are able to use it for watering certain plants or other areas of the landscape as spring comes into full bloom.
Down similar lines, you might consider planting a rain garden. This is actually a catch basin that's then planted as a flower bed, and it's a wonderful way to not only stop runoff from damaging concrete, but also to get your garden going in the early spring.
How it works is, runoff water flows into the catch basin. It pools up, then percolates through the soil and reaches a variety of plants that have been connected.
We already mentioned adding foliage to your landscape as a way of limiting runoff concerns, and this is an extension of that theme. Specifically, we recommend going with plants that are native to your area whenever possible – this is highly preferable to turf or other artificial grass formats, which are not very good at absorbing rainwater. Native plants, on the other hand, absorb water very well and are already adapted to any spring conditions that take place in your area.
For more on how to limit any water runoff issues on your concrete surfaces this spring, or to learn about any of our concrete repair services and how they can help, speak to the staff at Lift Right Concrete today.
