Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Lombard, Illinois Ranked

Persistent standing water, soggy lawns, and water intrusion into your home's foundation are more than just nuisances-they are signs of a serious drainage problem. In Lombard, where heavy rainfall and clay-rich soil are common, effective yard drainage and proper land grading are essential for protecting your property's value and structural integrity. This guide explains the critical solutions available, from French drains to regrading, and how you can connect with local specialists to design a system that keeps your yard dry and your foundation secure.

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc

chicago

Ross & Jack's Landscaping Inc is a family-owned landscaping company based in Elmhurst, Illinois, serving Chicago and surrounding towns. Since 1975, they have offered comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, installation, grounds maintenance, lawn care, sod installation, drainage solutions, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and brick paving. Their expertise includes digital landscape design layouts to help clients visualize projects before installation, as well as specialized drainage solutions like dry wells to manage water issues effectively. The company focuses on creating functional and aesthetically pleasing outdoor living spaces that enhance property value.

5.0

157 Reviews

Ascend Irrigation, Inc

813 E Washington St, West Chicago, IL 60185

Ascend Irrigation, Inc is a Chicago, IL-based company specializing in landscape lighting installation, yard drainage, grading, and sprinkler system services. They design and install tailored irrigation and drainage solutions that promote efficient water use and help maintain healthy, vibrant outdoor spaces. Their expertise includes advanced irrigation technologies aimed at minimizing water waste and comprehensive drainage systems to prevent water buildup and erosion. With years of experience, Ascend Irrigation, Inc serves both residential and commercial properties, focusing on sustainable landscaping and outdoor lighting enhancements.

5.0

137 Reviews

Xpert Flood Control And Seepage Inc.

3544 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618

Xpert Flood Control And Seepage Inc. is a yard drainage and grading service provider located in Chicago, IL. They specialize in flood control, sump pump installation, and basement waterproofing, offering various flood prevention solutions for homes and yards. With over 63 locations serving Chicago and its suburbs, they provide local expertise in managing basement flooding and yard drainage issues. Their services include the installation of durable flood control products designed for long-term performance and backed by a warranty.

4.9

125 Reviews

Arts Landscaping & Maintenance LLC

3146 W 59th St, Chicago, IL 60629

Arts Landscaping & Maintenance LLC is a locally owned landscaping and lawn care company based in Chicago, IL. They provide a wide range of outdoor services including lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, sod installation, tree trimming and removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, and hardscaping such as retaining walls and concrete pathways. The company serves both residential and commercial clients throughout Chicago, tailoring their services to the local climate and seasonal needs. Their capabilities include lawn aeration, overseeding, and comprehensive landscape maintenance to ensure healthy, vibrant outdoor spaces year-round.

4.9

117 Reviews

Luxterra Outdoors

chicago

Luxterra Outdoors is a landscaping company based in Chicago, IL, specializing in landscape design, sod and artificial turf installation, fence installation, yard drainage, sprinkler systems, and hardscaping including pavers and retaining walls. They focus on residential projects, offering sustainable and low-maintenance outdoor spaces tailored to Chicago's unique climate and lot sizes. Their services include managing permits for features like retaining walls and grading, and they incorporate capabilities such as smart irrigation systems and durable materials suited for winter weather. Luxterra Outdoors emphasizes thoughtful design for small urban yards, pet-friendly spaces, and historic homes, combining creativity with practical solutions.

5.0

55 Reviews

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Why Proper Drainage is Critical for Lombard Homes

Lombard's climate and soil composition create a perfect storm for drainage issues. The area's clay soil is dense and has slow permeability, meaning water doesn't soak in quickly and tends to pool or run along the surface ¹. When combined with significant rainfall or snowmelt, this can lead to water accumulating in low spots, saturating lawns, and, most concerningly, seeping toward your home's foundation. Over time, hydrostatic pressure from saturated soil can cause foundation cracks, basement leaks, and costly structural damage. Implementing a well-designed surface and subsurface drainage system is not just about lawn care; it's a fundamental aspect of home maintenance in our community.

Common Drainage & Grading Solutions

Professional contractors in Lombard utilize a range of techniques to manage water flow. The right solution often involves a combination of methods tailored to your property's specific topography and problem areas.

Regrading and Resloping This foundational process involves reshaping the land's contour to create a positive slope away from your home. The Village of Lombard recommends a minimum slope of 4% (a 2-foot drop over 50 feet) to effectively direct surface water toward a municipal storm sewer or a natural drainage path ². Regrading is often the first step in solving drainage issues, ensuring water flows away from foundations and prevents pooling near structures.

French Drains (Drain Tiles) A French drain is a subsurface solution for redirecting groundwater. It consists of a perforated pipe laid in a gravel-filled trench. The pipe collects water from the surrounding soil and channels it to a safe discharge point, such as a storm sewer inlet or a front yard swale ². These systems are particularly effective for dealing with soggy lawns and water that seeps into basements, and they can be connected to downspouts to handle roof runoff.

Catch Basins and Dry Wells Catch basins are in-ground boxes with grates installed at low points in the yard to collect surface water. The water is then funneled into an underground pipe system ². For properties where diverting water to a storm sewer isn't feasible, a dry well may be used. This is an underground chamber filled with gravel that stores excess water, allowing it to slowly percolate into the surrounding soil over time ¹.

Swales and Downspout Management A swale is a broad, shallow ditch with a gentle slope (at least 1%) that provides a landscaped pathway for surface water ². It's a more natural-looking solution often integrated into lawn design. Equally important is managing water from your roof. Downspouts should be extended well away from the foundation using solid, non-perforated pipes that direct flow into a drainage system or a landscaped area ³.

The Professional Installation Process

Tackling a yard drainage project involves careful planning and execution. Here is a typical step-by-step process followed by local experts:

1. Site Assessment and Problem Identification: A specialist will inspect your property to locate pooling areas, identify the water source, and determine the most effective discharge point, such as the street or a storm sewer connection ⁴.
2. Consultation and Planning: For complex issues, hiring a registered professional engineer may be necessary. The contractor will design a custom plan, which may combine several methods like regrading with French drains ⁴. It's also crucial to consult with Lombard's Community Development Department, as most installations require a building permit to ensure compliance with local codes and to prevent adverse impacts on neighboring properties ².
3. Utility Location: Before any digging begins, a call must be made to have all underground utility lines marked to prevent dangerous and costly damage ⁴.
4. Installation: The crew will excavate trenches, lay pipes and filter fabric, add gravel, and connect all system components according to the approved plan.
5. Inspection and Testing: The system should be tested with water flow to verify proper function. The Village may also inspect the work to ensure it matches the permitted plans ².
6. Site Restoration: Finally, the disturbed areas are backfilled with topsoil and restored with new sod or grass seed to seamlessly blend the new drainage work into your landscape ⁴.

Understanding Costs for Drainage Work in Lombard

The investment for yard drainage and grading solutions varies significantly based on the size of your property, the complexity of the problem, and the solutions required. Lombard's clay soil can also affect labor intensity and cost. Professional labor rates typically range from $50 to $150 per hour ^{5 6}. Below is a general overview of potential costs:

• Grading/Resloping: Reshaping your yard's slope typically costs between $850 and $4,250, depending on the steepness required and the volume of soil moved ⁷.
• French Drain Installation: Costs are often calculated per linear foot, ranging from $10 to $50. A complete residential French drain project commonly totals between $2,000 and $7,000 ⁵.
• Catch Basins and Dry Wells: Installing a single unit can range from $200 to $5,000, with concrete catch basins for handling large water volumes at the higher end of the scale.
• Complete System Installation: For large properties or complex issues requiring a combination of regrading, multiple French drains, and catch basins, total costs can range from $10,000 to over $15,000 ⁵.

Financial Assistance: Lombard homeowners should be aware of the village's Residential Drainage Program. This program offers a 50% reimbursement, up to $15,000, for qualified improvements that address standing water lasting over 72 hours on multiple properties ^{2 8}. This can substantially reduce the financial burden of a major drainage project.

Maintaining Your Drainage System

Once installed, a properly maintained drainage system will protect your home for years. Simple maintenance includes keeping catch basin grates clear of leaves and debris, ensuring downspout extensions are securely attached and unobstructed, and periodically checking the discharge points of French drains to confirm water is flowing freely. After heavy storms, walk your property to look for new areas of pooling that might indicate a blockage or a shift in the landscape.

Choosing a Local Drainage Specialist

When selecting a professional for your grading and drainage needs, look for contractors with specific experience in the Lombard area and its soil conditions. They should be familiar with local building codes and permit processes. Ask for references, proof of insurance, and detailed written estimates that break down labor, materials, and permit fees. A reputable contractor will always call for utility locates before digging and will be able to explain how their proposed solution addresses the root cause of your water problem.

Frequently asked questions

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