When pooling water saturates your lawn or begins to seep into your basement, the immediate concern is knowing which professional to call for an effective repair. Yard drainage issues are complex because the source of the water problem often dictates the specific expertise required for a lasting solution. Understanding the distinct types of drainage failures and the specialized roles of contractors is the fastest way to get your property dry and protected.
Identifying the Type of Drainage Issue
The first step in resolving any water issue is determining whether it is a surface problem or a foundation and subsurface problem. Surface drainage concerns involve water that remains on top of the soil, typically manifesting as standing puddles, saturated turf, or visible soil erosion. These issues often stem from improper grading, where the ground slopes toward the structure instead of away from it, or from compacted soil that prevents absorption.
Foundation or subsurface drainage problems are much more serious as they involve groundwater pressure and structural integrity. Signs include water seeping through cracks in basement walls or floors, chronic dampness along the perimeter, or water backing up from a floor drain. This deeper category of issues usually points to a failure in the underground drainage systems designed to mitigate hydrostatic pressure against the foundation.
Professionals for Surface Water Management
When the problem is limited to the yard and does not involve water entering the structure, you should seek out professionals skilled in manipulating the landscape. Landscaping Contractors are typically the first point of contact for surface water issues related to aesthetics and minor grading. They can implement solutions like shallow swales, which are broad, grass-lined channels designed to direct surface runoff away from structures.
For more extensive surface failures, a Grading and Excavation Specialist may be needed to correct severe slope deficiencies. These experts use heavy equipment to ensure the yard slopes a minimum of six inches over the first ten feet away from the foundation, a standard practice for diverting water. They are also proficient in installing dry wells, which are underground structures that temporarily store and slowly disperse collected rainwater into the surrounding soil. Installing a French drain system in the open yard, which intercepts and reroutes water before it reaches the home, also falls under their purview.
Experts for Foundation and Subsurface Drainage
When water is actively threatening or entering the home’s structure, a different set of highly specialized experts is required. A Waterproofing Specialist is the primary professional for issues involving groundwater infiltration through the foundation. They focus on managing the hydrostatic pressure that builds up in saturated soil by installing or repairing weeping tile systems (perimeter drains) around the footing. This work often involves exterior excavation to apply waterproof membranes to the foundation walls and installing an interior drainage system connected to a sump pump.
A Plumber is the correct choice if the water intrusion is localized and clearly caused by a failure in a specific pipe or fixture. Their expertise lies in the internal supply and waste lines, such as a clogged underground downspout extension or a broken sewer line tie-in. If the issue is a foundation crack that is structurally compromised, or if the water is causing bowing or shifting of the basement walls, a Foundation Repair Contractor is necessary. These specialists address the structural damage itself, sometimes working alongside a waterproofer to ensure both the integrity of the wall and its resistance to future water penetration are secured.
When to Call the Municipality or Utility Company
In certain circumstances, the drainage problem may be the responsibility of a public entity rather than the homeowner. Utility Companies should be contacted immediately if you suspect the issue is related to a utility service line, such as a water main break that is saturating your property. They are responsible for the pipes leading up to the connection point on your property boundary.
The Municipality’s Public Works Department handles drainage issues that occur within public right-of-ways or easements. This includes maintaining street catch basins, public storm sewer pipes, and community-wide drainage swales. If your property is flooding due to a clogged storm drain located on the street, or if the problem is clearly originating from a publicly maintained area, the city or town is the appropriate contact. Homeowners remain responsible for all drainage systems exclusively serving their property, including the private pipe connecting their internal drains to the municipal sewer line.