Basement waterproofing
Yard drainage, grading and downspouts
Yard drainage keeps rain and snowmelt away from the foundation: extending or burying downspouts, regrading soil to slope away from the house, and installing French drains or catch basins where water pools. It's often the first and least expensive fix for a wet basement.
- Typical time
- A day or two.
- Repair or replace
- Redirect water first; cheapest fix.
A single downspout dumping next to the foundation can send large amounts of roof water straight down the basement wall in a storm.
Older homes often have downspouts tied into buried clay pipes that have collapsed, so water that seems to be leaving the house actually soaks the ground by the wall.
Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts at a glance
- What it is
- Yard drainage keeps rain and snowmelt away from the foundation: extending or burying downspouts, regrading soil to slope away from the house, and installing French drains or catch basins where water pools.
- Service category
- Basement Waterproofing
Signs you need yard drainage help
- Downspouts emptying at the foundation
- Soil sloping toward the house
- Puddles near walls after rain
- Soggy yard spots
Quick answers
Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts: the short version
How long yard drainage, grading & downspouts takes
A day or two.
When yard drainage can wait, and when it can't
Planned; before spring.
Fix or replace yard drainage?
Redirect water first; cheapest fix.
Why yard drainage happens
Downspouts at the foundation, poor grading.
The work
How yard drainage, grading & downspouts is done
- 1
Evaluate
Where roof and surface water go.
- 2
Redirect
Extend or bury downspouts; add catch basins.
- 3
Grade and drain
Regrade soil; add French drains where needed.
What moves the price of yard drainage, grading & downspouts
Driven by lines, grading and drains.
- Number of downspouts
- Length of buried lines
- Regrading area
- French drain length
Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts: common questions
How far should downspouts discharge from the house?
At least several feet, and ideally 6–10 feet or into a proper drain.
Can grading alone fix my basement?
Sometimes, when surface water is the cause. Groundwater pressure needs drainage.
Service area
Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts across the Mahoning Valley
Related
Services often paired with yard drainage, grading & downspouts
Exterior Foundation Waterproofing
Exterior waterproofing excavates soil down to the footing, cleans and repairs the wall, applies a waterproof membrane and drainage board, and installs new footer drains before backfilling.
Learn more
Interior Drainage Systems
An interior drainage system (interior drain tile or French drain) is a perforated pipe installed in a trench along the inside perimeter of the basement floor.
Learn more
Window Well Leak Repair
Window well leak repair fixes water entering around basement windows by clearing or adding a drain at the bottom of the well, installing covers, regrading, sealing or replacing the window, and connecting the well drain to the drainage system..
Learn moreGuides
Reading on yard drainage
Call about yard drainage
Downspouts at the foundation, poor grading.