Drainage Problems in the Yard? This Is the Right Expert to Call

Q: I’ve noticed pooling water on my lawn, and I’m worried I have serious drainage issues. Who do I call for drainage problems in my yard?

A: Since pooling water can be indicative of bigger problems in your yard, it’s recommended to call a landscaping professional to diagnose the issue and come up with lawn drainage solutions. A number of issues could lead to drainage problems, including poor soil irrigation, improper grading, or neglected or damaged gutters. While it may be tempting to address the issues yourself, the problem may be more complex than a simple DIY fix. Whatever is causing the issue, it’s wise to have an expert look at it as soon as possible, since pooling water can be a breeding ground for pests such as mosquitoes.

Whether you need backyard drainage or front yard drainage, you won’t need to ask who to call for drainage problems in your yard if you follow this guide and if searching for “yard drainage contractor near me” yields few results.

A professional landscaping contractor can examine your yard to pinpoint the cause of the drainage problems.

Before trying to diagnose yard drainage issues themselves, homeowners will want to have one of the best landscaping companies take a look at their lawn. This way, they don’t get knee-deep in a DIY project that doesn’t address the real problem. These experts have years of experience to help figure out the root of the issue and come up with a plan to eliminate the pooling water or muddy spots in no time. Plus, the landscape drainage project may require specific tools and equipment that makes it a project better left to the pros. If the yard needs to be graded, connected to local drainage systems, or requires the installation of new drains, a homeowner will need the help of a professional landscaping contractor.

Drainage problems may be caused by improper grading or poor soil irrigation, which requires the expertise of a landscaping professional.

A number of problems could result in drainage problems in a yard, from improper grading to poor soil irrigation. If a homeowner notices pooling at the base of their house, low spots, ruts, or slightly raised areas, these can all be signs that they’re dealing with improper grading. To solve this issue, yard drainage contractors will regrade the lawn by removing soil from raised areas and adding and compacting soil in low areas. Poor soil irrigation may be the cause of broken or unbalanced sprinkler heads or leaks. A landscaping professional can help determine if all the sprinklers are in working order and spaced appropriately so that the entire yard gets equal coverage. Soil irrigation issues can also be solved by putting in more absorbent soil, aerating the lawn so that it absorbs water more efficiently, or putting in an underground drainage system.

A landscaping professional may suggest a more extensive fix, such as a dry well or a French drain. A dry well is commonly used to prevent flooding from sudden storm water or gray water, which is the runoff that comes from things like the washing machine or bath tub. Dry wells give water a hidden place to go, leaving the yard puddle-free. A French drain diverts water through an underground pipe to a curbside storm drain, again preventing water from pooling in the yard. Installing a French drain costs an average of $5,000 but can be well worth the expense if it helps correct the yard’s draining issues.

An old or neglected gutter system can cause water to pool close to your house and can require the services of a roofing or gutter professional.

The good news about having outdated or worn-down gutters is that the problem is generally easy to spot and fix. If a homeowner owns a tall enough ladder, they can check their gutters to see if they’re clogged, sagging, or have bad seams or joints that are causing leaks. If any of these issues are present, it’s an easy enough task for a homeowner to handle on their own. But if the homeowner is afraid of heights or finds that the damage is more severe than they expected, they will likely need to call one of the best roofing companies or the best gutter cleaning services who can correct the issues. A professional can perform routine maintenance that will help water drain more easily, or if the home needs new gutters, the pro can install them properly and advise the homeowner on which type works best for their home. A homeowner can also have their downspouts extended farther beyond landscaping around the home to prevent water pooling in the future.

Homeowners may also want to consider installing gutter guards on their existing gutters to prevent them from getting clogged. Leaves and other debris in the gutters can cause them to fill up and overflow when it’s raining, which can create drainage issues close to the home and lead to foundation issues. Gutter guards cost under $1,500 on average and can help prevent much more expensive issues down the road.

For extreme drainage problems, your water company or local government may be able to provide assistance.

If the drainage issues are the result of a sewer problem, a homeowner’s local water company may be able to help if there’s a blockage that lies on the city’s side of the yard. This would occur where the sewer line connects to the municipal sewer system. The homeowner’s local government may also be able to provide assistance if tree roots infiltrate the sewer lines in their yard, causing a leak or other drainage issues. If this requires the work of a plumber or landscaping professional, the city may be able to cover the costs or reimburse the homeowner if they present them with a copy of the bill.

If a homeowner has already called a landscaping professional and they’ve suggested drainage ideas for the backyard that haven’t solved the issue, the homeowner may have an extreme drainage case that requires the help of the water company or local government. It’s worth a homeowner giving them a call to see if they can provide assistance or suggest another local yard drainage contractor.

In general, a landscaping professional can help solve most yard drainage problems.

There’s a chance that the drainage problems in a yard are too complicated to tackle solo and require the help of a landscaping professional who has yard drainage solutions. Plus, a homeowner may not have the time or resources to provide backyard drainage solutions, if that’s where the issue is located. In short, if a homeowner’s search history reads “yard drainage specialist near me,” an expert landscaper can get their yard in tip-top shape and prevent additional pooling from occurring. They may need to install a French drain, which redirects water discreetly, or they may need to secure permits to hook the drainage pipes or trenches to municipal storm drainage. In short, if a homeowner is in need of water drainage solutions, calling a landscaping professional is the best place to start.