How To Landscape Your Yard For Proper Drainage

Protect Your Property With Improved Lawn Drainage Strategies

Poor yard drainage can lead to serious and expensive problems for your home’s foundation. Even small rainstorms can turn into big headaches if your yard isn’t properly graded or if water pools near your home’s foundation.

The good news? With the right landscaping strategies, you can significantly improve your lawn drainage and protect both your yard and your home’s structure. Our team at G.L. Hunt Foundation Repair is here to help you protect your home with expert tips.

Why Lawn Drainage Matters

Water that collects near your foundation can cause the soil that surrounds your home to expand and contract, leading to foundation cracks, uneven settling and even basement flooding. Over time, poor yard drainage can contribute to structural damage that’s costly to repair. Proactive landscaping helps direct water away from your home, keeping your foundation stable and your yard healthy.

Common Yard Drainage Problems (And How To Solve Them)

1. Water Pooling Near Your Home

One of the most common drainage problems homeowners face is water pooling directly next to the foundation. This can happen when the yard isn’t properly graded — meaning the ground doesn’t slope away from the home as it should.

Solution: Regrading the yard

Regrading involves adding or redistributing soil to create a gentle slope that directs water away from your foundation. In some cases, this alone is enough to improve drainage in your yard.

2. Gutter And Downspout Issues

Yard drainage gutters play a crucial role in managing runoff from your roof. If your gutters are clogged or leaking, or your downspouts don’t extend far enough away from your home, water can end up pooling right where you don’t want it — near your foundation.

Solution: Gutter maintenance and downspout extensions

• Clean gutters regularly to ensure they’re free of debris.
• Repair any leaks or sagging sections.
• Add downspout extensions to carry water several feet away from your home.
• Make sure the area where your downspouts discharge is properly graded to keep water moving away.

3. Low Spots And Uneven Areas In Your Lawn

If water consistently pools in certain areas of your yard, those low spots can become muddy, kill grass and even attract pests.

Solution: Drainage systems and landscaping features

• Install a French drain — a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that redirects water.
• Create raised garden beds, berms, or rain gardens to channel water where you want it.
• Use decorative dry creek beds to direct runoff away from trouble spots.

Additional Tips: How To Improve Drainage In Your Yard Through Landscaping

Effective lawn drainage isn’t just about avoiding standing water — it’s about designing your yard to work with the natural flow of rainwater. Here are some proven landscaping techniques to improve drainage in your yard:

• Create swales — These shallow, grassy ditches gently guide rainwater away from your home.
• Use permeable hardscaping — Instead of traditional concrete, consider using permeable pavers that let water seep into the ground.
• Plant strategically — Native plants and shrubs with deep root systems help absorb excess water and prevent erosion.
• Install dry wells — These underground structures collect and gradually release excess water.

Sump Pump Services For Severe Drainage Issues

If landscaping adjustments aren’t enough, mechanical solutions may be necessary — especially if your home has a history of water intrusion or foundation damage. Placed in basements or crawl spaces, sump pumps actively remove water that accumulates below your home.

If you have concerns about water damage, you should also schedule a foundation inspection. Persistent drainage problems can damage your foundation over time. If you’ve noticed cracks, uneven floors or other warning signs, a professional inspection can identify underlying issues before they worsen.

Address Drainage Problems Before They Damage Your Home — Call G.L. Hunt

The sooner you tackle yard drainage problems, the easier (and cheaper) they are to fix. Whether you need to regrade your lawn, upgrade your yard drainage gutters or install a full drainage system, taking action now can protect your foundation and keep your yard healthy for years to come.

Need help improving your lawn drainage? Start with an inspection from our team at G.L. Hunt. Reach out now to get started!