Re-grading is a Common Drainage Solution

Re-grading your current landscaping to provide a drainage solution to a drainage problem begins with analyzing the situation and determining where the problem is. After that, you must locate the plumbing, gas, and electrical lines, and then dig the area out to the new grade and depth required.

Tools and Materials You'll Need:

Large gravel
Small gravel
Drainage pipes
Pipe cleaner and sealer
Garden rake
Shovel

Step 1: Dig Trenches

Begin by digging trenches around the outer perimeter where the drainage pipes are going to be placed. Make sure to dig down at least two feet down so that you have plenty of room to stabilize them and to cover them.

Step 2: Install Gravel

Shovel large pieces of gravel into the bottom of the trenches and level it out with a garden rake. You only need to add about 4 inches of gravel during this step. Make sure that you keep the original grade otherwise all of this work will be for nothing.

Follow these steps once again, but adding small gravel this time. Level the entire area while maintaining the grade that is needed.

Step 3: Install the Drainage Pipes

Install the drainage pipes into place, making sure to seal any joints by using pipe cleaner and sealer. If you are unsure about how to do this properly be sure to check with a local plumber or do some research on the topic.

Step 4: Line the Entire Hole with Gravel

Following the same pattern as before, shovel large gravel into the excavated area on top of the drainage pipes, making sure to extend your pile inward and outward away from the edges of the hole. This layer should be at least 6 inches deep to ensure that the water can effectively drain away from the building and into the soil surrounding it.

Add another 4 to 6 inches of small gravel on top of this. If the area that you are laying the drainage pipes into was not fully excavated, meaning a large section of soil removed, then make sure to keep the top level of rock below the surrounding surface so that it can be filled in with soil and sod. When leveling these rocks with the rake be sure to level with the surrounding landscape rather than the grade that was used.

Step 5: Add Soil and Sod

The final step in this process is to fill the remaining sections of the trenches with soil and then adding sod into them. If sod is not going to be used, then fill the area with soil above the surrounding levels, which will allow for some settling, and plant with grass seed.

That is all there is to finishing up the re-grading of your drainage system in order to implement your drainage solution to yard drainage problems. Just remember that when leveling the first sections that the grade needs to be perfect in order to maximize the effectiveness of the drainage system. If you have a laser level use it to ensure a perfect grade, otherwise use the stakes and strings that were previously installed when laying out the area.