Expert’s guide to fixing a waterlogged lawn after heavy rainfall
The British weather has been relentlessly miserable in 2026, with the UK already reaching nearly 90 per cent of its average winter rainfall so far this year.
Heavy rainfall is a disaster for our outdoor spaces, with nearly a fifth (17 per cent) of Brits having their lawns completely ruined by the endless rain. A waterlogged lawn can lead to deep, wet patches, a sudden surge of slugs, or dead grass - which is especially a nightmare to fix. But thankfully, a gardening expert from MyBuilder.com, the reliable way to hire tradespeople, has put together a vital guide that will allow Brits to fix a waterlogged lawn, and prevent one in the future.
Lawns become waterlogged when excessive amounts of water are unable to drain away, leaving no airspaces in your soil, which causes your lawn to literally drown. This is an issue that’s easy to spot, in multiple different ways. After weeks of rainfall you may notice, for example, that the tips of your grass are turning yellow - this means they’re struggling to breathe. You may also find that your lawn will be particularly squelchy when you step on it, which is a sign of poor drainage. These sights are signs that your lawn is in danger, and may die if not swiftly addressed.
James Lewis, an expert gardener from MyBuilder.com, said that a drenched garden may lead to critical lawn damage if it’s not taken care of as soon as possible.
“The UK weather, to put it lightly, has been nothing short of miserable, so the last thing anyone would want to do right now is head out into their gardens. However, it’s not just us that get soaked in the pouring rain - our lawns do, too.
“It’s quite difficult for large amounts of water on your grass to drain after a lot of rain. This can leave very little space for your soil to breathe, which puts your lawn at risk of dying out.
“But there are ways you can fix a damaged lawn before it reaches that stage - and prevent one down the line. Start with aerating your lawn and levelling it out, which will help stop your garden flooding more heavily in certain spaces. Afterwards, you may want to consider what your lawn needs. In some cases, especially if your garden has heavy clay soil, which drains poorly, you may need your own drainage system.
“Ultimately, bracing the miserable weather now, and keeping on top of your lawn, will ensure it’s in good condition once the sun finally hits the UK.”
Here’s how to spot a waterlogged lawn:
Puddles
If you notice that your garden has areas that have high amounts of standing water, your lawn isn’t draining properly. It’s very important that this issue is fixed as soon as possible, as it could lead to bare patches on your grass, or even a surge of algae and various types of moss.
Yellow grass
Yellow patches on your lawn aren't just unsightly, it’s a sign that your lawn is at risk of dying out. They appear on the tips of your grass when excessive rain deprives it of the air it needs, causing it to lose its colour. This is a clear sign that your lawn is under stress, and is at risk of dying if left untreated.
Spongy texture
A quick and useful way to test if your lawn is waterlogged is by taking a stroll across it. A healthy lawn should feel firm and springy. However, if it’s soft and spongy, this could be a sign of a drainage issue.
Here’s how to fix a waterlogged lawn:
Remove debris
If your garden is waterlogged, you’ll want water to start draining water away as quickly as possible. To start with, clear away any debris, such as sticks and leaves, which may prevent draining areas from being blocked. Do this job with your hands, instead of a rake, to avoid damaging your already weakened soil.
Aerate your lawn
erating your lawn allows rainwater to flow into the ground more easily. This can be done using a garden fork or aerator tool, which will create tiny holes in your soil and allow it to breathe. Doing this regularly will not only help drain your lawn, but also strengthen your soil long-term.
Here’s how to prevent a severely waterlogged lawn in the future:
Spread top dressing on your lawn
If your lawn has been especially waterlogged in certain areas, it may be due to its surface being uneven. For this reason, you may need to level out your lawn to distribute the water equally and allow it to drain evenly. To complete this job, prepare an appropriate top dressing for your soil type. Ready-made mixes are available at garden centres, or you can ask for advice on preparing your own soil mix. Once your mix is prepared, apply it to your damaged area and smoothing out with a soil rake. If this hasn’t appeared to work after a few days, repeat the process. Make sure to do this job when your lawn is dry, to avoid risk of mud and clumping. This will also improve the structure of the soil over time to allow for better drainage.
Fertilise your soil
Ahead of future heavy rainfall periods, you’ll want the grass roots to be as strong as possible, so that they can withstand excess water. For this reason, you should feed your soil with a fertiliser that’s strong in the right nutrients, which promotes healthy root growth. While doing this throughout the growing season (April to September) will benefit your lawn, doing this during Autumn will especially help prepare it for the miserable weather.
Create a drainage system
Some types of soil, such as heavy clay soil, drain poorly, which means that your whole garden could be at risk from waterlogging. If this is the case in your garden, creating a drainage system, such as a simple ditch or a french drain, may be necessary. It’s worth noting, though, that DIY attempts at this job can fail, and you’ll need to plan your drainage system carefully, or consult a professional.
Grow suitable plants
Plants don’t just help improve the appearance of your garden, they also break up compacted soil and absorb excess moisture, which helps prevent a drenched lawn down the line. Shrubs, such as dogwood and winterberry, and water-tolerant flowers such as daffodils, are best able to withstand wet weather, although it’s best to wait until your lawn is dry before you begin planting, in order to avoid compaction.
If you need to find a reliable gardener to help you with a waterlogged lawn, quickly find available tradespeople at https://www.mybuilder.com/gardening-landscaping/gardener-tradespeople.
