Yard Drainage Solutions in Naperville

A drainage fix starts with finding out where the water comes from and where it can legally and safely go. The right solution is often as simple as regrading and extending downspouts, and sometimes it needs buried drain lines.

Common drainage fixes

Regrading the yard so surface water flows away from the house
Swales, shallow channels that carry water around a structure to a drainage path
French drains, perforated pipe set in gravel and wrapped in filter fabric to collect and carry groundwater
Buried downspout lines that discharge water well away from the foundation
Catch basins at low spots that can't be regraded

Where the water goes matters

Water has to end up somewhere. Drainage work should send it to a street, storm system, rain garden or open area on your own property, not onto a neighbor's lot. Local rules limit changes that push runoff onto adjoining property, so a good plan accounts for where it goes before any pipe is laid.

Clay soil and drainage

Many yards in the Naperville area sit on dense clay that soaks up water slowly and holds it. That's why a yard can stay wet for days after a storm even when the grade looks acceptable. Gravel-based drains and proper slope work with clay, where simply digging a hole does not.

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Questions about this topic

Will a French drain fix my wet yard?

Sometimes. A French drain helps when groundwater or a slow-draining area is the problem, but if the real cause is poor grade or a downspout dumping water beside the house, regrading and extending downspouts may be the better fix. We look at the cause first.

Can you fix a wet basement from outside?

Exterior drainage and grading are often part of the solution for basement water, but not every wet basement is a yard problem. We'll tell you honestly what we can address and when you may need a waterproofing specialist.