Lawn Drainage Solutions

Man clears mud from drainage ditch in driveway

Water is critical for a healthy, beautiful lawn, but having too much in your yard is as detrimental as not enough. If you have pooling water or soggy soil, drainage issues are likely caused by a lack of water movement through the soil or improper grading and sloping. Thankfully, there are many ways to improve drainage, from installing drains to aerating the soil or filling in low spots.

Best ways to improve lawn drainage

There are various ways to tackle drainage problems, ranging in cost and the amount of work required. Which option(s) you choose depends on the severity of the situation and your budget.

French drains

A man Digging ground to prepare for drainage home.
Shutterstock

A French drain is a below-ground drainage system consisting of a particular type of perforated pipe. After the pipe is placed in a trench, it is surrounded by gravel or rock. In finely textured soils with a lot of clay, the pipe is sometimes wrapped in geotextile fabric to prevent clogging. 

French drains manage subsurface water and help prevent it from saturating the soil around foundations, basements, and yards. Water runs into the graveled trench, percolates through the perforated holes in the pipe, and is directed to another part of your yard, often a storm drain or a ditch away from the house.

Installing a French drain yourself requires some sweat equity, but it’s doable with our step-by-step instructions. For those less inclined to take on a DIY project, the cost of a French drain varies depending on its size and complexity, but for professional installation, you can expect to pay $2,800 to $6,500.

Dry wells

A dry well is a large basin or holding tank buried underground at the end of a French drain or creek bed. Water from the drain or creek is collected in the dry well and slowly disperses into the surrounding soil through its slightly porous sides.  

The average cost of professional installation for a dry well is $3,030, but it typically ranges from $1,165 to $4,420.

Yard drains

Yard drains, or catch basins, follow the same principles as kitchen sinks or bathtubs. You install an actual drain at the lowest part of the yard where drainage is a problem. The drain attaches to a long run of underground piping that discharges the water elsewhere.

The estimated cost of a catch basin is $150 to $200.

Downspout extensions

gutter downspout extension on a floor
AGreenFutureCalgaryLandscping | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

If your home’s gutter system causes your drainage issue, an easy fix is to extend the downspout away from the house. Extending the downspout prevents water from collecting or pooling in one spot close to the foundation. 

There are different ways to extend your downspouts: aluminum extensions, StealthFlow extensions, roll-out drain sleeves, and burying longer downspouts underground. 

Costs range depending on the extension method:

  • Aluminum extensions cost between $3 and $22.
  • StealthFlow extensions cost $13 to $17.
  • Roll-out downspout extenders cost $9 to $15.
  • Burying downspouts costs, on average, $225 to $350 per downspout. Expect to pay $15 to $20 per linear foot of downspout and approximately $150 for the pop-up emitter.

Channel drains

Channel drains consist of long, linear, narrow channels covered with grates. They are typically made of concrete, plastic, or metal and set into the ground.

Unlike French drains, which control subsurface water, channel drains help manage surface runoff. They quickly collect water from driveways, patios, pool decks, etc., and direct it away from nonporous surfaces, where it can seep into the ground or flow into a ditch or storm drain.

Channel drains typically cost $30 to $100 per linear foot or between $3,000 and $10,000 for a 100-foot project.

Aerate the soil

illustration showing how aeration works and the benefits of aerating soil
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez

Compacted soil is a common culprit of poor drainage. Over time, traffic across your yard compresses the soil underneath the grass. When this happens, the soil particles are smashed together, reducing the space between them that allows water to flow down into the root zone.

A lawn aerator punches small holes across the lawn, pulling out soil cores and breaking up the compaction. Opening up the soil like this lets water and air move through the soil instead of sitting on the surface.

Profession lawn aeration costs an average of $143 nationwide, with most homeowners spending between $82 and $251.

Water less frequently

Hand holding water hose and watering to the plant in outdoor garden
SKT Studio | Adobe Stock | License

One way to circumvent excess water pooling on the lawn is to cut down your watering frequency if you’re running a sprinkler system. Instead of watering every day, water less frequently but for longer durations. 

Most grass types need one to one and a half inches of water weekly through rainfall or irrigation. Taking into account rainfall, break up how much water your grass needs into two to three events throughout the week. Watch the soil moisture and let the soil start to dry out before running your sprinklers again.

After all, if the soil is still wet, there isn’t any need to add more water and have it pond on the soil surface.

For helpful information on watering:

Fill in low spots

For yards with a few small localized spots of poor drainage, try bringing in topsoil and filling them in until they are up to grade with the surrounding soil. It’s as easy as adding topsoil to the low area and raking it level with the ground. 

Topdressing costs vary. Typically, topsoil costs $10 to $50 per cubic yard, and sand costs between $15 and $50 per cubic yard. Compost costs vary widely, but buying in bulk is always less expensive. You can purchase screened compost for $30 to $80 per cubic yard, and garden centers often deliver. 

After topdressing, the grass may grow through the soil if the area isn’t too deep. If it is too deep, you can reseed the bare patch or install sod

On average, lawn seeding costs between $0.09 and $0.19 per square foot. Sod costs $0.31 to $0.82 per square foot nationwide, depending on the turf type.

Replace concrete with porous materials

Demonstration of porous hardscaping materials work
JJ Harrison | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0

A large expanse of concrete or other nonporous surfaces is a common culprit of poor drainage. When it rains, the water runs off the surface instead of absorbing into the soil beneath. 

While it’s a big job, you can improve water infiltration by replacing concrete or traditional asphalt driveways with porous asphalt, a mixture formulated to increase void space and allow water to permeate. You can also switch out concrete patios with composite decking materials, pea gravel, or pavers.

To give you an idea of what you’re looking at in terms of cost:

Slope the soil away from the house

For homeowners with significant drainage problems across the entire lawn, you may need to level the ground or regrade the yard so it slopes gently away from the house and foundation. For every linear foot, the ground should drop about 1 inch. If it doesn’t, water may move back toward the house instead of away.

Regrading the correct slope is a large-scale project that usually requires professional help and large equipment. 

Zach Bashear of Cutters Landscaping says, “Large-scale projects, steep slopes, or significant drainage issues warrant professional grading services. Experts have the knowledge, experience, and equipment to handle complex grading challenges, ensuring the land is properly contoured for drainage and aesthetic appeal. Professional grading is also crucial when dealing with regulatory compliance and erosion control measures.”

The typical land grading cost is $0.08 to $2.00 per square foot and ranges from $15,800 to $44,535 per acre.

Build a dry creek bed

Dry Creek Bed
Pxhere

Building a creek bed creates a drainage channel that redirects water from the house while adding a beautiful landscaping feature to the yard. You carefully construct a meandering path leading away from your home or across the yard that dips slightly in the center like a river or creek. Once filled with rocks, excess water will naturally flow into the creek bed. 

Depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a professional landscaping contractor, you can expect to pay between $3 and $7 per square foot.

Pick thirsty plants

An aesthetically pleasing way to mitigate drainage problems is to plant water-hungry trees or flowers close to where the water puddles. Plants like willows, red maples, green and black ash, and Atlantic white cedar love having their feet wet. If you’re short on space, choose from colorful plants such as astilbe, hibiscus, mallow, or daylilies. 

Create a rain garden

Rain Garden
James Steakley | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

Sometimes, your options are limited, your best solutions fall short, and you must get creative. If you’ve exhausted other solutions and you’re still struggling with poor drainage, consider using that soggy patch to your advantage. Instead of getting rid of it, turn it into a rain garden that is a beautiful focal point in your lawn.

You can plant water-loving ornaments like hostas and ferns in the saturated area and use ornamental mosses instead of mulch to cover the ground. Yes, they don’t eliminate the problem, but a rain garden is more attractive than a muddy hole. 

For a DIY project, budget $3 to $5 per square foot; depending on the materials and labor, a professionally installed rain garden costs $10 to $35 per square foot.

Why is yard drainage important?

First and foremost, good drainage is critical for the health of your grass. Pooled water creates environments with low oxygen. When your Kentucky bluegrass or fine fescue is underwater with reduced air for long periods, it may result in root death and kill off the grass, too. It also puts your grass at a higher risk of fungal problems.

Beyond that, though, having a soggy backyard significantly reduces the ability to get out and enjoy your lawn. No one wants to be playing frisbee and step in a muddy hole that tries to swallow their foot. Plus, standing water increases mosquito populations and may draw in other lawn pests and snakes.

Lastly, drainage problems near your home pose significant threats to the structure. Over time, water can damage the foundation, and if it gets inside, it may flood your home or cause problems with mold and mildew within the walls, under the carpets, or on the drywall.

Signs of poor drainage

large area of yellow or dead grass
Shutterstock

If you’re unsure whether or not you have lawn drainage problems, look for the following symptoms. 

  • Large puddling or standing water in an area or areas
  • Soggy soil and muddy patches that never seem to dry out
  • Brown or dead grass
  • Foundation damage
  • Mold growth inside your home in the basement

Do you need to fix lawn drainage problems?

The extent to which you go to amend a problem depends. It’s important to consider whether or not the water is causing problems to your home or other structures on your property.

According to Dallas Deaver, Circle D Construction owner, “The only difference between having a serious issue is if it’s creating foundation problems or mold, or if it’s actually doing structural damage to something on your property. Then, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible. If it’s just a nuisance and it’s just kind of in your way once or twice a year, it’s up to you whether you want to address that problem or not.”

FAQs about lawn drainage solutions

Can I use more than one method to improve lawn drainage?

Certainly! Often, homeowners employ multiple strategies to eliminate standing water in their yards. Some of the most common combinations include adding dry wells to French drains or the end of a dry creek bed. 

Good cultural practices, such as aerating the soil and watering less frequently, should always be part of lawn maintenance, whether you have drainage problems or not.

How do you maintain a French drain?

Regular maintenance is essential to extending the life of a French drain. It’s essential to clean it once a year to remove any debris buildup. You can hire an expert to clean it or rent an electric sewer snake to clear it yourself. 

What kind of grass is best for wet areas?

Regardless of the species, most grass tolerates flooding, if only for a few days. However, if you’re looking for something more tolerant, Zoysia, Bermudagrass, and some Buffalograss species have excellent ability to withstand being submerged. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and bentgrass have intermediate tolerance.

Need help restoring your lawn?

Now that you’ve fixed your lawn drainage problems, you might still face a lackluster lawn since it’s been swimming instead of thriving. To get it back in tip-top shape, reach out to Lawn Love, and we’ll put you in touch with local landscape professionals to help you reseed, fertilize, or handle any other lawn care needs. 

Main Image Credit: Shutterstock

Amanda Shiffler

Most comfortable with soil under her fingernails, Amanda has an enthusiasm for gardening, agriculture, and all things plant-related. With a master's degree in agriculture and more than a decade of experience gardening and tending to her lawn, she combines her plant knowledge and knack for writing to share what she knows and loves.