What Are Yard Drainage Solutions?
Yard drainage solutions capture and redirect standing surface water and shallow groundwater so it moves away from the foundation instead of collecting against it. When a yard holds water after rain, or slopes toward the house, that water saturates the soil at the foundation and raises the pressure that pushes moisture into a basement or crawl space. APS designs yard drainage to intercept the water, using catch basins, channel drains, and buried piping routed to a safe outlet, as a front-line defense that reduces how much water ever reaches the foundation wall. It is most effective combined with grading, downspout extensions, and, where needed, interior drainage, so surface water and footing water are both managed.
How Yard Drainage Solutions Work
Low spots and runoff paths in the yard are fitted with catch basins or channel drains that collect surface water. Those inlets connect to solid buried pipe that carries the water by gravity to a discharge point well away from the foundation, such as a downslope daylight outlet, a dry well, or a storm drainage connection. By capturing the water where it pools and giving it a dedicated route off the property, the system keeps the soil at the foundation from staying saturated, which is what relieves the pressure driving water inside.
“A lot of wet basements are really wet yards. Move the surface water off the property and the foundation stops soaking.”
How APS Installs Yard Drainage Solutions
- 1
Map the Water
APS observes where water pools and flows, identifies the runoff sources, and sets the drainage route and outlet.
- 2
Set Inlets
Catch basins and channel drains are installed at the low points and runoff paths that collect the most water.
- 3
Run Buried Pipe to Outlet
Solid pipe is trenched from the inlets to the discharge point with continuous slope for reliable gravity flow.
- 4
Establish the Discharge
The outlet is finished at daylight, a dry well, or an approved drainage connection so water leaves the property safely.
- 5
Restore and Verify
Trenches are backfilled, the surface is restored, and APS confirms water flows to the outlet as intended.
What Yard Drainage Solutions Cost and What Is Covered
Cost Range
Cost depends on the linear footage, access, and system specified. APS provides a free written estimate after the assessment.
Warranty
APS in-house workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties on system components, both fully transferable to future owners
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know my wet basement is a yard drainage problem?
If your yard holds water, slopes toward the house, or the wettest basement areas line up with outdoor low spots, surface water is likely loading the foundation. APS assesses the exterior grading and drainage as part of diagnosing any basement moisture issue.
Is yard drainage enough, or do I still need interior work?
It depends on the source. Managing surface water can dramatically reduce basement moisture, but if water is already entering at the footing, APS pairs yard drainage with interior drainage so both the surface water and the footing water are handled.
Where does the collected water go?
To a safe outlet away from the foundation, a downslope daylight point, a dry well, or an approved drainage connection. The route is designed so the water does not reappear against the house or a neighbor's.
Will this disturb my whole yard?
Only the drainage route is trenched, and APS restores the surface afterward. The work targets the specific paths and low spots that collect water, not the entire yard.