Drainage fixes for wet yards and patios
Dry wells, French drains, regrading and downspout connections for yards that flood, patios that pond and water that heads toward the house.
Standing water in a lawn, a patio that holds puddles after every storm, a soggy corner by the downspout or water moving toward the foundation are all drainage problems, and they rarely fix themselves. Left alone, they kill lawns and plantings, lift patios with frost and can end up in the basement.
Drainage is part of every landscape we build, so our crews do this work all the time. We find where the water comes from, where it collects and where it can go, then fix it with the simplest approach that will last.
How we fix it.
Dry wells
Underground chambers that collect roof and surface water and let it soak into the ground, sized to the area they drain.
French drains
Gravel trenches with perforated pipe that intercept groundwater and surface water and carry it to a dry well or outlet.
Regrading
Reshaping the ground so water moves away from the house and patios instead of toward them.
Downspout connections
Tying roof leaders into underground pipe and dry wells so roof water stops pooling at the foundation.
Patio and walk drainage
Re-pitching or rebuilding patios and walks that hold water, with drains where needed.
Swales and rain gardens
Shallow planted channels and basins that slow and absorb runoff in place.
On site within one week.
When water is getting into a basement, undermining a patio or wall, or ponding across a lawn, call us. We schedule a site visit within one week, walk the property and trace the water. After a storm is the best time, so take photos or video of the water while it's there.
Most drainage problems on the Cape come from roof runoff with nowhere to go, compacted soil, or a patio or lawn graded toward the house. The fix might be one dry well and a downspout connection, or a full regrade with a French drain. We start with the smallest fix that will solve it.
Work near wetlands, a coastal bank or a pond can need Conservation Commission approval before we can change grades or add drainage structures. We will tell you at the site visit if that applies.
Planning a new patio, wall or pool? Drainage is designed in from the start on every landscape construction project, so you don't have to fix it later.
From the portfolio.
More finished projects on our portfolio page.
Where we do this work.
Chatham · Cohasset · Cotuit · Dennis · Duxbury · Eastham · Falmouth · Hanover · Harwich · Hingham · Hyannis Port · Marion · Marshfield · Mashpee · Mattapoisett · Nantucket · Orleans · Osterville · Sandwich · Scituate · Southcoast · Wellfleet
Questions we get often.
How quickly can you look at a drainage problem?
We schedule a site visit within one week of your call. If you can, take photos or video of the water during or right after a storm. It helps us trace the source.
What is a dry well?
An underground chamber surrounded by stone that collects water from a downspout, drain or low spot and lets it soak slowly into the ground. Sandy Cape soils suit dry wells well.
Dry well or French drain: which do I need?
A dry well handles water collected at a point, such as a downspout. A French drain intercepts water moving across or through the ground and carries it somewhere. Many properties need both, connected.
Can you fix a patio that floods?
Yes. Depending on the cause, we add a drain at the low point, re-pitch the stone, or rebuild the base. If the stone is sound, we re-use it.
Do you handle yard flooding after storms?
Yes. Storm flooding is usually a sign of grading or roof-water problems that will repeat. We find the cause and fix it so it doesn't happen next storm.
Often built together.
Landscape Construction
Patios, terraces, walls, walks, drainage, planting, and lighting.
Explore →Bluestone Patios
Thermal and natural-cleft patios, walks, steps and pool decks.
Explore →Retaining Walls
Fieldstone, drystack and veneer walls for sloped and coastal lots.
Explore →Estate Maintenance
100% electric weekly maintenance, the same crew year after year.
Explore →Water where it shouldn't be?
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind. We schedule a site visit within one week and deliver an itemized proposal within 10 business days.
Let's Begin Your Service