How to Put Drainage in My Yard

A yard with poor drainage is an eyesore and can threaten the foundation of your home. After heavy rains, flat areas become waterlogged, drawing mosquitoes and killing growth. Putting a drainage system in your yard is a simple, do-it-yourself solution that will only take a weekend or two to finish, depending on the scale of your yard. The process involves identifying the major problem areas, and laying underground drain pipes to carry excess water to a drainage outlet.

Garden stakes
Rope
Shovel
3/4-inch aggregate gravel
4-inch perforated drain pipe
Drain pipe sock
Geotextile faric
Sand
Grass seed
Straw

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the areas in your yard where puddles form or where the ground feels soggy. Insert a wood garden stake at the center of each spot and run a rope to connect each stake. Adjust the rope to form the straightest, most direct path possible from the furthest point to the chosen drainage outlet, like a ditch or street gutter.
- 2
  Dig out a canal 8 inches wide and 18 inches deep with a shovel. Curve the sides to form a U shape. Beginning at the end of the canal, dig 1/4 inch deeper every foot of length to slope the pipes so water flows down toward the outlet.
- 3
  Fill the first 6 inches with 3/4-inch aggregate.
- 4
  Lay 4-inch perforated drain pipes over the aggregate. Turn the pipes so the holes face up if holes are only along one side. Slip a drain sock over the pipe a you lay it down to protect it from small debris.
- 5
  Dump another 6 inches of aggregate over the pipes. Lay geotextile fabric over top to block large debris like sticks and leaves.
- 6
  Fill the remaining canal with a mix of soil and sand. The sand will help water seep through into the drain pipes below.
- 7
  Lay grass seed down over the exposed dirt and spread straw or breathable fabric over top so it doesn't blow away.

How to Redo Drainage Tile

How to Excavate With a Loader

Landscaping Basics