Yard Drainage Systems in Pittsburgh, PA

Yard drainage systems collect water that is soaking a lawn, seeping out of a hillside or running toward a house, and carry it somewhere safe. In the Pittsburgh area, French drains installed well are about more than comfort. The USGS found that changes to drainage are one of the ways people trigger landslides here, and saturated soil is at its weakest. Getting water off and out of a slope is one of the most useful things a homeowner can do.

Common sources of water

Hillside seeps where groundwater meets a less permeable layer, roof water released at the foundation, runoff from a neighbor's higher lot, and grades that have settled toward the house account for most calls. Each has a different fix. Swales handle surface flow; curtain drains intercept groundwater moving downhill; downspout lines carry roof water away.

French and curtain drains

A French drain is a fabric-wrapped trench filled with stone and a perforated pipe sloped to an outlet. A curtain drain is the same idea set across the slope above a house or patio to catch water on its way down. HomeGuide lists exterior French drains at $10 to $35 per linear foot and curtain drains at $1,500 to $8,800 on average.

Outlets on steep ground

The outlet matters as much as the drain. Water discharged onto a steep slope can start erosion or soften the toe of the hill. We look for a stable outlet: a storm connection where the municipality allows it, a stabilized discharge at the bottom of the slope, or a properly placed dry well on gentler ground.

Downspouts

With about 39.61 inches of precipitation a year, a typical roof sheds a lot of water. Solid underground lines from each downspout to an outlet away from the foundation are one of the cheapest drainage improvements available.

Interior systems

Interior basement drains and sump pumps belong to the waterproofing trade. We do the exterior side and will tell you honestly if the water problem calls for an interior system.

Retaining wall drainage

Retaining walls hold back wet soil, and walls without drainage behind them bulge and fail. We excavate behind failing walls, add drainage stone and pipe, and backfill so water can escape.