Standing water, soggy lawn areas, and erosion problems are common in Oakland County's clay-heavy soils. Our drainage and grading solutions eliminate these issues permanently.
Oakland County's heavy clay soils are notorious for drainage problems. Clay soil has poor permeability — water moves through it slowly, leading to standing water, soggy lawn areas, and erosion on slopes. These problems aren't just cosmetic: standing water kills grass, creates mosquito breeding habitat, and can lead to foundation and basement issues when water pools near the home.
Elowsky Lawn Services provides comprehensive drainage assessment and installation services for homeowners throughout Oakland County. Our team identifies the root cause of your drainage problem and designs a targeted solution — whether that's regrading, a French drain system, a dry creek bed, or a combination of approaches.
Regrading: Correcting the slope of your lawn so water flows away from the home and toward appropriate drainage areas. This is the most fundamental drainage solution and is often the first step before installing other drainage systems.
French Drains: A perforated pipe buried in a gravel-filled trench that collects subsurface water and redirects it to a discharge point. French drains are highly effective for areas with persistent standing water or wet spots that don't respond to surface regrading.
Dry Creek Beds: A decorative drainage channel filled with river rock that manages surface water runoff while adding visual interest to the landscape. Dry creek beds are particularly effective on slopes and in areas where a traditional drain would be difficult to install.
Catch Basins: Surface drains installed in low-lying areas that collect water and direct it through underground pipes to a discharge point. Catch basins are often used in combination with French drains for comprehensive drainage systems.
Signs you need a drainage solution include: standing water that remains for more than 24 hours after rain, consistently soggy or spongy lawn areas, erosion channels on slopes, water flowing toward your home's foundation, or basement moisture issues after heavy rain.
French drain installation typically costs $25–$50 per linear foot, depending on depth, soil conditions, and discharge options. A typical residential French drain project ranges from $1,500–$5,000. We provide free on-site assessments and detailed written proposals.
Installation does require excavation, which will temporarily disturb the lawn. We restore all disturbed areas with topsoil and seed or sod as part of the project. Most lawns recover fully within one growing season.
Yes, water that consistently pools near your home's foundation can cause significant structural damage over time. Proper grading that directs water away from the foundation is one of the most important aspects of home maintenance. If you have water pooling near your foundation, address it promptly.
Get a free, no-obligation quote from Oakland County's most trusted lawn and landscape company. We'll contact you within 24 hours.