Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Highland, California Ranked

Proper yard drainage and grading are essential for protecting your Highland home's foundation, preventing landscape erosion, and eliminating soggy, unusable areas of your property. Effective water management involves shaping the land (grading) and installing systems to collect and redirect water away from structures. This guide explains the common solutions for residential drainage issues in Highland, how the process works, and how you can connect with qualified local professionals to assess and correct your property's specific needs.

Natural Earth Sustainable Landscape & Design

1420 N Claremont Blvd #200-C, Claremont, CA 91711

Natural Earth Sustainable Landscape & Design is a landscaping company based in Los Angeles, CA. They provide comprehensive services including landscape design, construction, and maintenance with a focus on sustainability and native Southern California plants. Their expertise includes hardscaping, naturalized drainage solutions, and irrigation systems, creating eco-friendly and low-maintenance outdoor spaces that blend form and function. Their approach is based on permaculture principles to ensure long-lasting, beautiful landscapes.

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Why Proper Drainage is Critical in Highland

The climate and topography in Highland present unique challenges for homeowners. While the area enjoys plenty of sunshine, seasonal rains can lead to significant runoff. Without a properly graded yard and functional drainage, water can pool around your home's foundation, leading to costly structural damage, basement or crawl space flooding, and soil erosion that undermines patios, walkways, and plantings. Implementing effective surface drainage and subsurface drainage solutions is not just about puddle control; it's a vital investment in your property's long-term health and value¹.

Common Drainage and Grading Solutions

Professional contractors in Highland utilize a range of techniques to solve water problems. The right solution depends on your property's slope, soil type, and the specific source of water.

Grading and Re-sloping

The first line of defense is ensuring your yard has the correct slope. Land grading involves moving soil to create a gentle incline that directs surface water away from your home's foundation toward a safe discharge point, such as the street or a drainage easement^{1 2}. This is often the most fundamental step in solving drainage issues.

French Drains

A French drain is a classic and highly effective subsurface drainage system. It consists of a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects groundwater and channels it away from problem areas^{3 4}. These are ideal for yards where water saturates the soil or seeps into basements.

Catch Basins and Area Drains

These are grated inlets installed in low spots where water collects on the surface. They connect to a network of buried solid pipes that carry the water to a storm drain or other approved outlet⁴. Catch basins are excellent for managing runoff from driveways, patios, and other hardscapes.

Swales and Berms

A swale is a broad, shallow, vegetated channel designed to guide water flow across your property. A berm is a raised mound of soil. Used together or separately, they are a natural-looking way to manage surface water runoff without extensive underground piping².

Rainwater Harvesting and Permeable Surfaces

Sometimes, the best approach is to capture or absorb water. Installing rain barrels or a cistern reduces runoff volume and provides water for irrigation⁵. Opting for permeable pavers or gravel in place of solid concrete allows rainwater to seep into the ground naturally, reducing the burden on your drainage system.

The Professional Drainage Project Process

Tackling a significant yard grading or drainage installation project involves several key steps, especially when permits are required.

1. Site Assessment: A qualified professional will inspect your property to identify the source of water, problem areas, and determine the most appropriate discharge location.
2. Design and Planning: For complex issues, a formal drainage plan may be created. In some cases, a civil engineer may be involved to design a system that complies with all local codes^{6 3}.
3. Permitting: The City of Highland requires construction permits for significant grading and drainage work. Your contractor will typically handle applying for these permits through the City's Engineering Department, ensuring the project meets municipal standards for stormwater management⁶.
4. Installation: This is the construction phase, involving excavation, pipe laying, grading, and the installation of all drainage features.
5. Inspection and Completion: The city will inspect the work, and a soils engineer may be required to certify that final grades meet the approved plans^{6 4}.

Understanding Costs for Drainage Work

The investment for drainage solutions in Highland varies widely based on the scale and complexity of the problem. Simple re-grading or creating a swale may be a more modest project, while a full-system installation with engineered plans is a major landscaping undertaking. Below is a general overview of potential cost ranges^{6 3 4 5}.

• Simple Grading/Re-sloping: Adjusting the slope of your yard typically ranges from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the size of the area and amount of earth moved.
• French Drain Installation: Installing a French drain system is more involved, with costs often falling between $2,000 and $5,000+ per section.
• Catch Basin System: A system with multiple catch basins and connecting piping can range from $2,000 to $8,000 or more.
• Comprehensive Drainage System: For properties requiring a full assessment, design, and installation of multiple solutions, homeowners can expect costs to range from $5,000 to $15,000+.

It's important to get detailed, written estimates from several licensed contractors who can assess your specific situation.

Working with the City of Highland

For any major land grading or drainage project, your contractor will likely need to interact with the City of Highland Engineering Department. This department is the key contact for understanding permit requirements, local standards for storm drain connections, and approved discharge methods⁶. A reputable local professional will be familiar with these processes and can navigate them efficiently on your behalf.

Choosing the Right Professional

When looking for help with yard drainage, seek out licensed contractors with specific experience in grading and water management solutions. They should be able to explain the cause of your problem, propose clear solutions, provide references, and outline the permit process. Look for contractors holding an appropriate state license (such as a Class A General Engineering or relevant C classification) and who carry adequate insurance.

Frequently asked questions

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