Yard Drainage Solutions in Philadelphia

Is erosion or standing water an ongoing issue for your property? Drainage issues can stem from poor yard grading, improperly installed downspouts, clogged gutters, or compacted soil. These could mean major problems down the road for your home or business if left unaddressed. Poor drainage can cause structural damage to your foundation, ruin your landscape, and lead to insect infestations.

Depending on your property layout, our team has a few ways to approach this and mitigate your water damage risks. Our tailored solutions include French drains, box drain installation, downspout diversion, and grading and landscape adjustments. We also offer foundation repair if you suspect damage or see cracks in your foundation.

Drain Installation & Foundation Repair in Philadelphia

Before and after picture foundation repair and foundation sealing. Before picture on left shows the bare foundation after digging out. After picture on right shows the foundation waterproofing seal applied

Residential Yard Drainage in Philadelphia

You don't have to put up with puddles in your yard every time it rains. It's ugly to look at, keeps you from enjoying your backyard, and can damage your foundation. Installing a drainage system or changing the design of your landscape are effective solutions for reclaiming your outdoor space.

Our team will assess your property, see where the water runoff is flowing, and recommend the best way to remediate your drainage problem. Each property has specific needs and we ensure that our solutions are practical and sustainable. Whether that be installing a French drain, a channel drain, or grading your landscape, we will get results that will improve yard drainage and enhance landscaping longevity.

Commercial Property Drainage in Philadelphia

Don't let standing water and swampy grounds get in the way of you doing business. Large puddles in your parking lots or pathways are off-putting and can make it difficult for customers to traverse. If you need help with drainage issues — whether it be from runoff, soil saturation, or poorly planned landscaping — our team can help. Call us today for a free estimate and customized drainage plan that will fit your budget and protect your property.

Our Yard Drainage Solutions

Large drainage pipe installation in Philadelphia

Large drainage pipe installation in trench

Large drainage pipe covered with rocks and gravel concrete paver in back

Large drainage pipe covered with rocks and gravel acting as natural filter

House exterior foundation before waterproofing applied

Before foundation waterproofing for a residential basement

House exterior where foundation waterproofing has been applied

After foundation waterproofing applied to exterior basement

Brick house with downspout connected to buried pipe

Downspout attached to solid pipe and being run underground and out to street

French drain being installed in trench, excess fabric folded over gravel

French drain being installed in trench, excess fabric folded over gravel filtering

Box drain installation next to retaining wall in Philadelphia

Box drain installed along retaining wall

Underground downspout attached to solid pipe and extended to street through lawn and pavement

Underground downspout attached to solid pipe and extended to empty into street

French Drain Installation

When water accumulates on your property and flows towards your home or business, structural damage can occur. To protect your foundation, you can install a French drain to redirect the water and make it flow away from the building. A French drain is a sloped trench filled with a perforated pipe that is surrounded by gravel or rock. The perforations in the pipe allow water to seep in and be carried away to a less saturated area. 

Box Drain Installation

Box drains are rectangular conduits that redirect moving water beneath roads, driveways, or pathways without causing erosion or flooding. Box drains can be customized to fit the specific needs if any location and are designed for long-term performance. These drain systems are great for handling heavy rainfall in areas where water needs to be diverted quickly. 

Diverting Downspouts & Underground Downspouts

You can redirect roof runoff by adding a downspout extension or channeling it underground with an underground downspout. Downspout extensions must be properly installed and measure at least 4 ft. away from the building to prevent foundation issues and water damage. A buried downspout directs water underground and away from the immediate vicinity of the building. 

Both work well to redirect rainwater from your home or business and prevent drainage problems on your property. It should be noted that underground downspouts are similar to French drains, but serve a different purpose. An underground downspout is a component of a building's gutter system. A French drain, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive drainage system and used to manage water in a larger area.

Landscape Grading

If you'd rather use a more natural method of drainage, landscape grading may be possible for your property. This involves shaping and leveling the ground to direct any water flowing away from structures and other critical areas. Manipulating the slope and contour of the land prevents flooding, ponding, erosion, and other water-related issues.

Yard Drainage Maintenance & Yard Drainage Repair

Maintaining proper drainage is important for the integrity and appearance of your property. That means doing maintenance checks on your drainage systems by:

  • removing debris

  • checking for large blockages

  • flushing the system

  • making timely repairs when necessary

If you need help with drain cleaning maintenance or repair, call us anytime to set up a standalone or recurring appointment. We will keep your drainage systems flowing year round.

Philadelphia Foundation Repair & Basement Waterproofing

Do you have cracks or leaks in your foundation? It's not always obvious, but usually there are tells. Signs of foundation problems include cracks in the basement walls, bouncing floors, basement leaks, warped or cracked siding, and mildew smell. Fixing foundation damage quickly can save you thousands of dollars in repair down the road.

Depending on what's going on in your foundation, fixes include:

  • epoxy or polyurethane injection

  • masonry patching

  • foundation sealing and waterproofing

  • applying waterproofing paint

A damaged foundation can also cause problems in other areas of your house. Don't put this one on the back burner, give us a call today and save yourself the headaches.

French drain system infographic showing buried perforated pipe in fabric lined-trench surrounded by stones

Choosing the Right Yard Drainage Solution

French Drain System

Description: A trench lined with landscape fabric, filled with river rock or granite, and a perforated pipe that redirects water away from buildings

Ideal for: Preventing water pooling in low areas, around foundations, or in yards

Pros: Effective for large areas, long-lasting

Cons: Requires excavation, higher cost

Underground downspout infographic showing a buried solid pipe leading out to an emitter wrapped in fabric and surrounded by river rock

Underground Downspouts

Description: Drain pipes buried underground that connect to gutters to carry rainwater away from the house. A drainage emitter is optional and allows water to be released in a safe location

Ideal for: Redirecting rainwater from gutters away from house foundations to a drainage area

Pros: Diverts water away from foundations, hidden from view

Cons: Potential for clogging, regular maintenance needed

Box drain infographic showing drain in grass or hardscape areas with corrugated pipe and surrounded by river rock

Box Drains

Description: Rectangular drains set into the ground, connected to a pipe system for water removal

Ideal for: Collecting surface water in flat areas, driveways, patios, and hardscape areas

Pros: Ideal for hardscape areas, easy to install

Cons: Less effective for large areas

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A French drain works by collecting water in a trench lined with filter fabric and filled with rocks or gravel. Inside the trench, there's a perforated pipe wrapped in fabric that lets the water flow through while keeping soil and debris out. The pipe carries the water away from your house or building, preventing flooding and water damage.

  • We dig the trench from the downspout outlet to the desired drainage area with a slight slope away from your property. Then we lay a solid or corrugated pipe in the trench, connecting it to the downspout outlet, and cover the pipe with soil. Finally, we cover the trench with grass or sod to blend it into the landscape.

  • Grading a yard can go one of two ways. For smaller jobs, we will use a shovel and grading rake to create an optimal slope away from your property. After, we use a plate compactor or hand tamper to compact the ground and make it level.

    For larger projects, we use heavy equipment (such as a mini excavator) to move dirt and create greater slopes. We smooth out any uneven areas and compact the soil for stability and to prevent erosion.

  • If a foundation needs repair, we start by examining it to identify any cracks, settlement, or other issues. We might employ techniques such as crack injection, masonry patching, or installing drainage systems to address any water problems. We also offer exterior foundation sealing to waterproof your basement.

  • Foundation repair usually takes about 2–3 days. However, depending on the severity and other factors, the timeline can be shorter or a little longer.