Puddles that drain in a day
Low spots in the lawn after heavy rain. Often fixed with topdressing, aeration or extending a downspout.
Services · Yard drainage
Yard drainage in the Lower Mainland
If your lawn turns into a pond every November, you're not alone. Clay soil, flat lots and a high winter water table make drainage the most common yard problem in the Lower Mainland. Describe what you're seeing and we'll send it to up to three drainage-capable landscapers near you.
- Best time to assess Nov–Feb
- Best time to dig late spring–early fall
- Photos help a lot
Warning signs
How serious is it?
Soggy for weeks, moss taking over
The lawn stays spongy all winter or a side yard never dries. Usually needs regrading, a swale or a French drain.
Water against the house
Pooling at the foundation, damp crawlspace or water in the basement. Get it looked at before it damages the house.
Options
The main ways landscapers handle it
| Option | What it is | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Downspout extensions | Carrying roof water well away from the house in buried pipe | Wet spots right beside the foundation |
| Regrading | Reshaping soil so the ground slopes away from the house | Lots where the yard tilts toward the building |
| Swale | A shallow, grassed channel that guides surface water | Water crossing the yard from a neighbour or slope |
| French drain | A gravel trench with perforated pipe that collects groundwater | Side yards and lawns that stay saturated |
| Rock pit / dry well | An underground gravel chamber that lets water soak away | Lots with no storm connection nearby |
| Rain garden | A planted low area that holds and absorbs runoff | Homeowners who want drainage that looks good |
Local conditions
Lower Mainland soil holds water
Much of the Lower Mainland, from Richmond and Delta to Surrey's lowlands and the Fraser Valley floor, is old river floodplain. The soil is heavy with silt and clay, which drains slowly, and in winter the groundwater can sit close to the surface. Add steady rain from November to March and a lot of yards simply have nowhere for water to go.
Newer subdivisions add another layer. Topsoil is often thin over compacted fill, so even a sloped lot can hold water near the surface.
What a good quote includes
- Where the water ends up
- Pipe type and trench depth
- Filter fabric to stop clogging
- Cleanouts for future flushing
- Lawn and bed restoration after
- Utility locates before digging
- Any permits or city approvals
- A written warranty
Watch for: A quote that doesn't say where the water goes. Moving water from one corner of the yard to another, or onto a neighbour's lot, isn't a fix.
Costs
Typical yard drainage prices
| Job | Typical range | Usually takes |
|---|---|---|
| Downspout extensions (2–4 downspouts) | $600 – $2,000 | Usually 1 day |
| Regrade and reseed a backyard | $2,000 – $6,000 | Usually 2–4 days |
| French drain, 50–80 ft | $3,000 – $8,000 | Usually 2–3 days |
| Rock pit / dry well | $1,500 – $4,000 | Usually 1–2 days |
| Full perimeter drainage around a house | $12,000 – $30,000+ | Usually 1–2 weeks |
Ranges are for budgeting only. Your quotes are based on a site visit.
Questions
Yard drainage questions
Should I call a landscaper or a plumber?
For yard water, surface runoff and French drains, a landscaper is usually right. If water is getting into the basement or the existing perimeter drain is collapsed, a drainage contractor or plumber may need to be involved too.
Can drainage work be done in the rain?
Assessment, yes, and it's the best time to see the problem. Digging in saturated clay is messy and can damage the lawn, so most installs happen once the ground dries out.
Will a French drain fix moss in my lawn?
It helps if the moss is caused by soggy soil. Shade and compacted soil also cause moss, so the lawn may still need aeration and overseeding afterwards.
Can I send the water to the street?
Sometimes, but many cities restrict new connections to storm drains or ditches. Your landscaper should check the local rules for your address.
Often done together
Yard drainage by town
Metro Vancouver
- Surrey →
- Vancouver →
- Burnaby →
- Richmond →
- Delta →
- White Rock →
- Coquitlam →
- Port Coquitlam →
- Port Moody →
- New Westminster →
- North Vancouver →
- West Vancouver →
- Pitt Meadows →
Fraser Valley
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