Grading & Drainage

Most drainage problems in Central Minnesota come down to three things: negative grade against the foundation, downspouts dumping at the wall, and heavy clay subsoil that will not accept water fast enough during spring melt. We start by watching where water actually goes — sometimes during a rain, sometimes with a laser level and a hose — then fix the cause rather than the symptom.

Solutions include regrading to establish positive fall away from the house, building shallow vegetated swales that move water along a route you choose, installing French drains and perforated drain tile in washed stone, burying downspout extensions to daylight or a pop-up emitter, setting catch basins in low spots, and installing dry wells where there's nowhere to daylight. Every fix is graded and seeded or sodded back so it looks like landscaping, not a repair.