How to Drain a Ditch

Controlling water on your property is important for the health of your home. Water that is allowed to rest near the foundation always finds its way into the basement. The easiest method for moving water is by adjusting the lot grading to take advantage of gravity. A drainage ditch that holds water has lost its natural slope to push the water in the desired direction. This is typically due to sediment built up on the bottom of the ditch from years of water flow.

Shovel
Wheel barrow
4-foot level
Grass seed

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the direction you want to move the water in the ditch. This should take advantage of the natural slope of the property and move the water away from the house.
- 2
  Remove the dirt from the bottom of the ditch with the shovel and wheel barrow to slope it in the desired direction. You may need to move dirt from a high spot and move it to low spot to create the slope in the ditch.
- 3
  Check the slope of the ditch with a 4-foot level to make sure it is at the desired angle.
- 4
  Rake the soil in the bottom of the ditch in a V-shape and smooth out the surface.
- 5
  Throw down grass seed on the bare soil and water regularly until the seed takes hold. The grass will hold together the ground when the ditch is moving water.

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