Standing Water in Yard — Drainage Solutions
Fix poor yard drainage that leaves standing water. Grading, drains, and landscaping solutions.
Time Estimate
⏱️ 1-8 hours depending on solution
DIY Cost
💰 $20-200 DIY / $500-5000+ professional
Tools Needed
🧰 Shovel, Level, Drainage pipe
Water pooling in your yard after rain isn’t just annoying — it can damage your foundation, kill grass, and breed mosquitoes. Here’s how to fix it.
Why Water Pools
- Grading issues: Yard slopes toward the house or has low spots
- Compacted soil: Doesn’t absorb water
- Clay soil: Drains very slowly
- High water table: Water has nowhere to go
- Blocked drainage: Gutters, downspouts, or existing drains are clogged
Quick Fixes
Extend Downspouts
If water pools near the foundation, it’s often downspouts dumping water too close to the house.
Fix: Add downspout extensions to carry water 4-6 feet away from the foundation. Cost: $10-20 each.
Clean Gutters
Clogged gutters overflow and dump water at the foundation.
Grade Around Foundation
The ground should slope away from your house — at least 6 inches of drop over the first 10 feet.
Fix: Add soil against the foundation and slope it away.
Bigger Solutions
French Drain
A perforated pipe buried in gravel that collects and redirects water.
Best for: Areas where water consistently pools DIY cost: $100-300 for materials (significant digging) Pro cost: $1,000-5,000+
Dry Well
An underground pit filled with gravel that collects water and lets it slowly absorb.
Best for: Downspout termination, small pooling areas DIY cost: $100-200
Catch Basin
A surface drain connected to underground pipe that carries water away.
Best for: Low spots in the yard DIY cost: $50-150
Regrading
Reshaping the yard to direct water away.
Best for: Widespread drainage issues DIY: Possible for small areas with a lot of digging Pro cost: $1,000-5,000+
When to Call a Pro
- Water is entering your basement or crawlspace
- You need to redirect large volumes of water
- The yard needs significant regrading
- You’re dealing with high water table issues
Who to call: Landscape contractor, drainage specialist, or foundation company.
The Bottom Line
Start with the easy stuff — extend downspouts, clean gutters, check the grade near the foundation. For persistent problems in specific areas, a French drain or dry well often solves it. Major drainage issues may need professional regrading.