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.
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- Typical time
- A day or two.
- Repair or replace
- Redirect water first; cheapest fix.
Call about yard drainage, grading & downspouts
(833) 460-4463By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.
Mention yard drainage and your ZIP.
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
What are the 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
What should you know about yard drainage, grading & downspouts first?
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 is yard drainage, grading & downspouts done, step by step?
- 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 affects the cost of yard drainage, grading & downspouts?
Driven by lines, grading and drains.
- Number of downspouts
- Length of buried lines
- Regrading area
- French drain length
Is this service available near me?
Location is only used to find the service area nearest you. It stays on your device and isn't stored.
Happening right now? 24-hour emergency service is the faster route than a scheduled visit.
What do homeowners ask about yard drainage, grading & downspouts?
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.
What are signs of poor yard drainage?
Puddles near the foundation, soil eroding along walls, water in window wells and basement leaks after rain.
What affects the cost of yard drainage?
Length of drains, depth, soil type, obstacles, number of downspouts and whether regrading is needed.
What is a French drain?
A gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects groundwater or surface water away from an area.
Should downspouts be buried?
Buried solid pipes can carry water farther and look neater, but they need cleanouts and proper outlets to avoid clogs.
How much should soil slope away from a house?
Building codes commonly call for at least about 6 inches of fall within the first 10 feet, where site conditions allow.
Can I discharge water onto my neighbor's property?
Generally you shouldn't concentrate water onto neighboring property; local rules vary, so plan outlets that drain on your own lot or to storm systems.
Where can I verify this information about your area?
- 1USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Web Soil SurveyLook up soil drainage class and shrink-swell potential for any lot in your area.
- 2FEMA: Flood Map Service CenterCheck whether a property in your area is in a mapped flood zone before finishing a basement.
- 3NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information: U.S. Climate NormalsAverage precipitation, snowfall and temperatures for weather stations near your area.
- 4U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: RadonWhy basements in your area should be tested for radon, and how sealed sumps fit with mitigation.
- 5Federal Trade Commission: Hiring a ContractorWhat to check before hiring: licensing, insurance, written estimates and payment terms.
Service area
Where is yard drainage, grading & downspouts available?
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Youngstown
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Austintown
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in East Liverpool
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Burlington
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Pittsburgh
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Morgantown
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Atlanta
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Louisville
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Cheyenne
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Hilo
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Seattle
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Rutland
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Santa Fe
- Yard Drainage, Grading & Downspouts in Honolulu
Where yard drainage, grading & downspouts is most often needed
Available in every state
Calls are connected with an independent contractor that serves your ZIP code, anywhere in the U.S.
Northeast & Mid-Atlantic
Connecticut · Delaware · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · Vermont · Washington, DC
Midwest & Great Lakes
Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Michigan · Minnesota · Missouri · Nebraska · North Dakota · Ohio · South Dakota · Wisconsin
Southeast & Gulf Coast
Alabama · Florida · Georgia · Kentucky · Louisiana · Mississippi · North Carolina · South Carolina · Tennessee · Virginia · West Virginia
Mountain West & Southwest
Arizona · Colorado · Idaho · Montana · Nevada · New Mexico · Utah · Wyoming
Pacific Coast & Northwest
Alaska · California · Hawaii · Oregon · Washington
Related
Which services are 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
What should you read before calling?
Call about yard drainage
Downspouts at the foundation, poor grading.
By calling, you agree to be connected with an independent waterproofing contractor, who may call or text you back about your request at the number you call from. Calls may be recorded for quality and routing. Consent is not a condition of any purchase; you can opt out at any time, and message and data rates may apply. Privacy policy.