How do I stop water pooling in my yard?

Fix grading so the ground slopes away from the house, extend downspouts, and add a swale, dry well, or french drain for persistent wet areas.

Why is water pooling near my foundation?

Usually flat or reverse grading and downspouts dumping water at the wall. Both are fixable and important, because foundation water leads to basement leaks.

How to Fix Yard Drainage Problems

Standing water in the yard isn't just a nuisance — water that pools near the house ends up in the basement and undermines the foundation. Most drainage problems have affordable fixes if you tackle the source.

Start with grading and downspouts

The ground should slope away from the house for the first couple of metres. Re-grading low spots and extending downspouts to discharge water well away from the foundation solves many problems cheaply.

Swales and dry wells

A shallow swale (a graded channel) can route surface water away from the house and toward a safe discharge point. A dry well — a gravel-filled pit — gives collected water somewhere to soak away in soils that drain.

French drains

For persistent groundwater or a chronically wet area, a french drain (perforated pipe in gravel) collects and carries water away. Sloped correctly, it relieves the soggy spot and protects the foundation.

How to Fix Yard Drainage Problems

Start with grading and downspouts

Swales and dry wells

French drains

Frequently asked questions