Mulch is a cover that will either absorb water or let it through, depending on the kind of mulch. A 2-inch layer of wood chips for instance will absorb only a little water and drain most of it. Sand absorbs a bit more, but also lets most of it through.
Neither will drain any water if they are not connected to a drainage system of pipes to evacuate the water. It will stay stagnant otherwise.
A common material used for drainage systems is a bed of gravel, with porous pipes at a slight inclination onto it, and more gravel put on the sides and top of the pipes.
The pipes themselves are usually clothed with some cheap recycled fabric to prevent the dirt from blocking the drainage holes in the pipes.
If you do not have a drainage system and simply want to know what material will absorb the most water to prevent most rain floodings, you can use a mulch of peat moss, or even better, incorporate it into the top soil. It absorbs several times its weight in water. It is a bit acidic though, so don't forget to add lime to reestablish the original acidity level of your soil.
Hard-pan clay soil percolates (drains) water the slowest.
French drains and damp proofing the outside walls with flashing cement or WR Grace material
All of them
The sucking noise is usually a good thing, it means that the drain is working properly, the noise comes from a swirl in the water that goes counter clockwise and pulls the water. That noise is actually air. joe jersey
Any material that is classified on the Ph scale as a base, the best of which would be one that does not rust, wash away or absorb water.
topsoil
Topsoil is typically composed of a combination of mineral particles (like sand, silt, and clay), organic matter (such as decomposed plant and animal material), water, and air. The exact composition can vary depending on location and environmental factors.
Sandy topsoil is a type of soil that has a high proportion of sand particles. It drains quickly, so it can be prone to drought and erosion. However, it has good aeration and is easy to work with for gardening and landscaping.
Topsoil does not float, as it is a mixture of mineral particles, organic matter, water, and air. When placed in water, topsoil will sink due to its high density.
The dirt or topsoil carried by running water is called sediment.
Sandy topsoil is said to be well-draining because water flows easily through the large spaces between the sand particles, allowing excess water to move downward quickly. This promotes good aeration and helps prevent waterlogging, making sandy soil suitable for certain plants but also requiring proper irrigation and fertility management.
The process is called leaching, where water transports nutrients and compounds from the topsoil to deeper layers, affecting the soil's composition and fertility.
Hard-pan clay soil percolates (drains) water the slowest.
A watershed is an area of land that drains to a common body of water.
A watershed is an area of land that drains to a common body of water.
sand is a free draining material so it doesnot hold water. that is the reason why sand is used as a filter material on water treatment plants. NB:. immediately the sand is wet it drains off.
Mulch is made of dead plant matter, so it depends on the kind of plants in the mulch. either way, mulch is used to help plants retain water, not usually to give it nutrients.