Does your lawn have a tendency to sink after it rains? When this occurs, it can threaten the integrity of plants, trees and even nearby structures, including your home and the foundation on which it was built.
So, what can you do to protect your lawn and property from this destructive phenomenon?
Causes of a Sinking Lawn
Let’s first discuss some of the common causes of a sinking lawn. As stated above, one of the most common reasons why this phenomenon occurs is saturation from excess rainfall.
When a lawn has poor or nonexistent runoff, rainwater will collect on the surface, slowly absorbing into the ground below while turning the soil into a mush-like consistency that’s prone to sinking.
Another common reason why lawns sink involves the use of low-quality building materials. Some contractors and home builders, for instance, may cut corners by using low-grade materials, burying them under the surface.
Over time, these materials may rot and decay, causing the lawn to sink as a result. This is why it’s important that homeowners use caution when hiring contractors, checking their credentials to ensure they are qualified for the job.
How to Fix a Sinking Lawn
The good news is that you can typically fix most minor cases of a sinking lawn. One of the easiest solutions for a sinking lawn is to simply add top soil over the surface, allowing it to balance itself out.
As the lawn sinks, the excess soil will seep down, hopefully creating a level, or at least close-to-level, ground.
Depending on where exactly the sinking is occurring, you may be able to fill it with either soil or a combination of soil and rocks.
Some landscapers recommend the latter because it’s less susceptible to moisture, helping the ground retain its shape and consistency through good weather and bad.
Hopefully, this will give you a better idea on how to deal with a sinking lawn.
Some homeowners may turn their heads at the thought of a sinking lawn causing them any real damage, but it can affect both natural and man-made structures, which is why it’s important to fix this problem in a timely manner.
The Woodsman Company offers tree planting, tree pruning and shrub trimming, tree removal and stump grinding as well as a tree wellness program.
If we can help with any of your tree care needs give us a call at 512-846-2535 or 512-940-0799 or
Very helpful information. Thank you so much.
Can you recommend someone in Ohio please.
Hi Dotty. Thanks for reading. We do not know of anyone in Ohio that could help you out. I would recommend you contact a local landscape professional to help with this.
I’ll have start filling in a spot in my lawn that seems to be getting bigger more this year then any other year . I’ll have to wait till spring or could put a. Truck load of dirt in hole now ? What would be the best time ?
Hi Paul. Thanks for reading. Before filling in the hole, you may want to have someone come out and see what is actually causing the spot to get bigger. It may require more than just filling the hole with dirt. There could be a plumbing leak below ground that is washing away the underlying soil, causing the hole to sink further and get bigger.
Who do I have come out
I have a sinking lawn I think. Do you know of anyone in Pennsylvania that could help?
Hi Sammy. Thanks for reading. We do not have any contacts up in your area.
Do you do an examination of the lawn to access the problem?
Thanks
Hi Mary. Thanks for reading. No, we are not lawn experts. You should contact a local landscape company to help you with a sinking lawn.