Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Lakewood, Colorado Ranked

Effective yard drainage and grading are essential for protecting your Lakewood property from water damage. Proper land grading and stormwater management systems redirect rainwater away from your home's foundation, preventing costly issues like basement flooding, soil erosion, and structural damage. This guide outlines the common solutions, processes, and considerations for residential water management in our area, helping you understand your options for finding qualified local professionals.

Modern Concepts Landscape

2650 W Warren Ave, Denver, CO 80219

Modern Concepts Landscape is a landscaping company based in Denver, CO, offering a wide range of services including landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, sprinkler installation and repair, lawn care, and hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. With over 20 years of experience, they provide expertise in irrigation systems and xeriscape designs to support low-water landscaping options. Their services aim to enhance and maintain outdoor spaces while addressing practical concerns like tree health and yard drainage.

5.0

78 Reviews

Act Right Irrigation and Landscaping LLC

608 Garrison St # R, Lakewood, CO 80215

Act Right Irrigation and Landscaping LLC is a landscape design and irrigation company based in Denver, CO. They provide services including efficient irrigation system installation and repair, smart controller maintenance, landscape design, yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and pavers. With over ten years of irrigation expertise and a horticulturist on staff, they focus on water conservation and creating functional, beautiful outdoor spaces. The company serves Lakewood and the surrounding area and emphasizes sustainable practices and client partnerships in their work.

5.0

55 Reviews

GKC Tree Care and Landscape Design Group

denver

GKC Tree Care and Landscape Design Group is a landscaping company based in Denver, CO, offering full-service landscape design, construction, and maintenance for homes and businesses. Founded in 2019 with over 15 years of experience from its founder, the company provides custom outdoor solutions including tree care, sod installation, fence and hardscape construction, yard drainage, sprinkler systems, and innovative jellyfish lighting installation. Their services emphasize tailored designs and functional outdoor living spaces, with capabilities like emergency tree removal and programmable permanent lighting. GKC also offers commercial landscaping and seasonal property maintenance, combining creativity and craftsmanship to transform outdoor areas.

4.9

94 Reviews

Little Foot Landscaping Co

6205 W Mississippi Ave, Lakewood, CO 80226

Little Foot Landscaping Co is a family-owned landscaping company serving Denver, CO, and the surrounding area since 1979. They offer a range of services including lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, landscape design, yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. The company emphasizes sustainable landscaping practices using native plants and water-saving techniques to minimize environmental impact. Their expertise includes creating durable and aesthetically pleasing outdoor spaces with quality craftsmanship and personalized service tailored to each client's unique needs.

4.9

89 Reviews

Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc.

denver

Grade A Excavation & Landscape Inc. is a Denver, CO-based contractor specializing in yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping services. They provide solutions such as foundation drainage, retaining walls, and paving for residential and commercial properties. With nearly 20 years of experience, they focus on delivering durable and effective results.

4.9

37 Reviews

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Why Proper Drainage is Critical in Lakewood

Lakewood's climate, with its seasonal heavy rains and snowmelt, can quickly turn a minor grading issue into a major problem. When water pools around your foundation or runs uncontrolled across your property, it can lead to a host of issues. These include a damp, mold-prone basement, cracked foundation walls, ruined landscaping, and even mosquito breeding grounds. Implementing effective surface and subsurface drainage is not just about fixing a wet spot; it's a crucial investment in your home's long-term integrity and value ^{1 2}.

Common Residential Drainage & Grading Solutions

Professional contractors in Lakewood use a combination of techniques to solve water problems. The right solution depends on your property's specific topography, soil type, and the source of the water.

Regrading: This is the process of reshaping the land's slope. The fundamental rule is to ensure the ground slopes away from your home's foundation at a minimum of six inches over the first ten feet ^{1 3}. This uses gravity to manage surface runoff and is often the first step in a comprehensive plan.

French Drains: A French drain is a gravel-filled trench containing a perforated pipe. It's designed to intercept and redirect groundwater and subsurface water, making it ideal for yards with persistent soggy areas or hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls ^{1 4}.

Catch Basins and Trench Drains: These are surface collection systems. A catch basin is a buried container with a grate at ground level, placed in low spots to collect pooling water. Trench drains are long, narrow grates often installed along driveways, patios, or walkways. Both connect to underground piping that carries the water to a safe discharge point ^{1 2}.

Dry Wells and Storm Chambers: When you can't easily drain water to a street or ditch, a dry well or underground chamber provides storage. These structures collect excess water from downspouts or drainage pipes and allow it to slowly percolate into the surrounding soil, recharging groundwater ^{4 5}.

Downspout Extensions and Underground Conduits: Simply moving water from your roof away from the house is highly effective. This can involve above-ground extensions or, for a cleaner look, burying downspout pipes that channel roof runoff directly into a drainage system or dry well ^{2 6}.

Rain Gardens: For a more natural, ecological approach, a rain garden is a landscaped depression planted with native, water-tolerant vegetation. It captures runoff from roofs or paved areas, filters pollutants, and allows water to soak into the ground slowly ^{7 8}.

The Professional Installation Process

A successful drainage and grading project follows a systematic approach to ensure longevity and compliance with local codes.

1. Site Evaluation and Analysis: A professional begins with a thorough assessment of your property. They will identify low points, water flow patterns, soil composition, and the relationship of your lot to neighboring properties. For complex issues, a New Jersey Licensed Land Surveyor may be involved to provide precise topographic data ^{9 10}.
2. Plan Development: Based on the evaluation, a detailed plan is created. This outlines the necessary slope adjustments, the type and placement of drainage systems, and the discharge location. For significant regrading or new construction projects in Lakewood, this plan may need to be submitted to the Township Engineer for review to ensure it meets local stormwater management ordinances ^{9 11}.
3. Permitting and Utility Location: Before any digging, the contractor should pull any required building or excavation permits from Lakewood Township ¹². It is also legally required to have all underground utility lines (gas, electric, cable) marked by calling 811.
4. Excavation and Rough Grading: Using equipment like skid-steers or mini-excavators, the crew will move soil to create the desired basic slope and dig trenches for drainage pipes ^{10 13}.
5. System Installation: Pipes, catch basins, dry wells, and other components are installed according to the plan. Proper pipe bedding with gravel is crucial for system function.
6. Backfill, Compaction, and Final Grading: Trenches are filled, and soil is compacted in layers to prevent future settling. The surface is then finely graded and covered with at least four inches of topsoil to prepare for restoration ^{14 15}.
7. Landscaping Restoration and Cleanup: The final step involves reseeding, sodding, or applying mulch to the disturbed areas to prevent erosion and restore your yard's appearance, followed by a complete site cleanup ^{2 6}.

Understanding Project Costs in Lakewood

Costs for water management solutions vary widely based on the size of your property, the complexity of the problem, and the solutions chosen. The following estimates are for professional installation and can help you budget. For the most accurate pricing, it's essential to get detailed quotes from several licensed Lakewood-area contractors ^{16 13}.

• Complete Project Average: A full yard drainage solution often ranges from $2,000 to over $7,000 ^{1 17}.
• Regrading: Adjusting the slope around a house typically costs between $500 and $3,000 ⁵.
• French Drain: Installed costs generally run $10 to $50 per linear foot ^{1 18}.
• Trench/Channel Drain: Surface drains are more expensive, averaging $30 to $100 per linear foot ¹.
• Catch Basin: A standard plastic catch basin unit costs $200 to $500, plus installation ¹.
• Dry Well: Installing a subsurface dry well system ranges from $1,600 to $4,800 depending on size and soil conditions ^{4 5}.
• Excavation & Grading (Service-Only): If you need major earthmoving as a standalone service, expect $1,400 to $6,000 ^{10 14}.
• Permits and Fees: If required for your project, municipal permits and review fees can add $400 to $2,300 to the total cost ^{9 11}.
• Professional Labor: Contractor labor rates in the region typically fall between $50 and $150 per hour ⁶.

Local Considerations and Selecting a Pro

Lakewood Township has specific design standards for grading and stormwater management, especially for new construction or major alterations ^{9 12}. A knowledgeable local contractor will understand these requirements. When evaluating professionals, look for those experienced in residential drainage work, ask for references and proof of insurance, and ensure they provide a detailed written estimate that includes site evaluation, materials, labor, permitting, and restoration. Companies like Jersey Shore Drainage Solutions are examples of local specialists focused on these issues ^{19 16}.

Frequently asked questions

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