Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Cherry Hill, New Jersey Ranked

A soggy lawn, a flooded patio, or water pooling against your foundation are more than just nuisances-they are signs of a yard drainage problem that can threaten your home's structural integrity and landscape health. Proper yard drainage and grading involves managing the flow of surface and subsurface water away from your property using techniques like re-sloping land, installing French drains, and creating swales. This guide explains the common water management solutions for Cherry Hill properties and how you can connect with local experts to assess your situation and implement an effective, long-term fix.

Michael's Landscape Design

750 Maple Ave, Southampton Township, NJ 08088

Michael's Landscape Design is a landscaping and hardscaping company serving the Philadelphia, PA area and South Jersey, including Burlington, Mercer, and Camden counties. Founded in 1997, the company offers a range of services such as landscape design, patio and paver installation, grading, drainage solutions, landscape lighting, and sod installation. They specialize in hand-laid brick and interlocking paver work and handle projects from small garden pathways to large property makeovers with an owner-operated approach ensuring attention to detail throughout the process.

5.0

127 Reviews

Beerman and Sons Landscaping

230 Bells Lake Rd, Turnersville, NJ 08012

Beerman and Sons Landscaping is based in Turnersville, NJ, serving Philadelphia, PA, and surrounding counties. Founded by Bill Beerman, a Penn State graduate with over 20 years of experience, the company offers comprehensive landscaping services including landscape design, hardscaping with durable pavers and natural stone, sod installation, grading, drainage solutions, lawn establishment, and landscape lighting. Their approach combines formal horticultural education with practical expertise to create outdoor spaces that thrive year-round and enhance residential properties.

5.0

111 Reviews

E&J Landscaping LLC

31 Upland Rd, Brookhaven, PA 19015

E&J Landscaping LLC provides comprehensive lawn care, landscaping, drainage, and outdoor improvement services in Philadelphia, PA. They offer routine property maintenance such as mowing, bush trimming, garden care, and seasonal cleanups, along with custom landscape design and installation of paver and flagstone patios. Their expertise includes yard grading and stormwater management solutions like French drains and catch basins to protect home foundations. Serving Delaware County communities, E&J Landscaping LLC is licensed and insured, focusing on quality materials and construction to maintain healthy, attractive outdoor spaces.

5.0

103 Reviews

Greenstone Gardens

philadelphia

Greenstone Gardens is a family-owned landscaping and hardscaping company serving Philadelphia, PA, and the surrounding areas. With 44 years of experience, they offer a wide range of services including landscape design, hardscaping, drainage solutions, tree planting, and outdoor kitchen installation. Their expertise includes building patios, retaining walls, and effective water management systems to enhance both the beauty and functionality of outdoor spaces. As a second-generation company, Greenstone Gardens combines traditional craftsmanship with innovative techniques to create personalized outdoor environments.

5.0

101 Reviews

JMA Tree Service

145 Crowfoot Rd, West Berlin, NJ 08091

JMA Tree Service provides a range of outdoor services in Philadelphia, PA, including tree removal, stump grinding, lawn care, landscaping, irrigation, and yard drainage. They serve both residential and commercial clients, offering expertise in tree trimming, brush removal, and full irrigation and drainage solutions. JMA Tree Service is equipped to handle large tree removals with proper cleanup and property protection. The company has built a reputation for careful work and thorough debris removal, with a focus on maintaining the health and appearance of clients' properties.

4.9

270 Reviews

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Understanding Yard Drainage Problems in Cherry Hill

Cherry Hill's climate, with its periods of heavy rain and snowmelt, combined with varied soil types, can lead to significant water issues on residential properties. Common signs you need drainage work include standing water that lasts more than a day after a storm, soggy areas that kill grass, water seepage into your basement or crawl space, and soil erosion in your landscape beds. These problems often stem from improper grading where the land slopes toward the house, compacted soil that won't absorb water, or inadequate systems to handle runoff from roofs and driveways ^{1 2}. Addressing these issues is crucial not only for your yard's usability but for protecting your home's foundation from hydrostatic pressure and potential cracking.

Core Solutions for Effective Water Management

Professional drainage contractors in the area utilize a toolbox of techniques tailored to a property's specific challenges. Here's a breakdown of the primary systems used for landscape drainage in South Jersey.

Grading and Re-Sloping

This is the foundational step for controlling surface water flow. Grading involves reshaping the soil around your home to create a gentle, consistent slope that directs water away from the foundation. Experts recommend a slope of at least 2% (a 2-inch drop per 10 feet) for at least the first 10 feet from your house ^{3 4}. Proper regrading can often solve simple pooling issues and is a critical component of any comprehensive drainage plan.

French Drain Systems

A French drain is a subsurface solution designed to intercept and redirect groundwater and excess surface water. It consists of a trench filled with gravel containing a perforated pipe, which collects water and channels it to a safe discharge point like a storm drain or dry well ^{5 6}. These are ideal for yards with persistent soggy spots or where water is seeping toward the basement. High-standard installations include proper geotextile fabric wrapping to prevent clogging and careful calculation of pipe slope for optimal flow.

Surface Drainage: Catch Basins and Channel Drains

For collecting water from hardscapes like driveways, patios, or low spots in the lawn, surface drains are key. A catch basin is a grated inlet installed at a low point, connected to an underground pipe that carries the water away ^{7 8}. Channel drains are long, linear grates often used across walkways or the base of a driveway to intercept sheet flow. These components are essential for managing runoff before it can pool or travel toward your home.

Downspout and Gutter Management

Your roof collects a massive amount of water. If downspouts empty directly next to your foundation, you're funneling problem water to the worst possible place. Solutions include installing downspout extensions (above or below ground), connecting downspouts to a French drain system, or directing water into a rain barrel or dry well-an underground chamber that collects and slowly disperses water into the surrounding soil ^{1 9}. This is often one of the most cost-effective first steps in improving your property's drainage.

Green Infrastructure: Swales and Rain Gardens

For a more natural approach, consider integrating green infrastructure. A swale is a broad, shallow vegetated channel designed to slow and direct runoff, allowing for infiltration ^{3 10}. A rain garden is a strategically placed depression planted with native, water-tolerant vegetation that collects runoff from roofs or driveways and allows it to soak into the ground, filtering pollutants in the process ^{9 11}. These solutions can be both functional and beautiful additions to your landscape.

The Professional Installation Process

Tackling a drainage project effectively requires a systematic approach. Here's what you can expect when working with a Cherry Hill drainage specialist:

1. Site Assessment and Diagnosis: A professional will inspect your property during or after a rain event to identify water sources, flow paths, and low points. They will check your home's current grading and look for signs of foundation moisture ^{1 6}.
2. Custom Design and Planning: Based on the assessment, they will design a integrated system that may combine several of the solutions above. A good plan considers soil type, lot size, local regulations, and your budget ^{5 4}.
3. Permitting: For significant regrading or new drainage systems that tie into municipal storm sewers, your contractor may need to pull permits from Cherry Hill Township to ensure the work meets local codes ⁴.
4. Excavation and Installation: This is the construction phase, involving digging trenches for drains, excavating for grading adjustments or rain gardens, and carefully reshaping the land ¹.
5. System Assembly and Testing: Pipes are laid and connected, catch basins are set, gravel is placed, and the system is tested with water to ensure proper flow before backfilling ⁵.
6. Restoration and Cleanup: Finally, the disturbed areas are backfilled, compacted, and restored with topsoil and sod or seed to blend the new work seamlessly into your existing landscape.

What to Know About Investment and Value

The cost for drainage work in Cherry Hill varies significantly based on the complexity and scale of the problem. It's best to view this as an investment in your property's long-term health and value.

• Simple Solutions: Installing downspout extensions or a basic swale can range from a few hundred dollars to around $2,000, depending on yard size and materials ^{1 3}.
• Targeted Systems: A single French drain section or a catch basin installation typically falls between $1,000 and $3,000 ^{5 7}.
• Comprehensive Yard Drainage: For a full property solution involving regrading, multiple French drains, surface drains, and downspout connections, homeowners can expect investments from $3,000 to $10,000 or more ^{2 6 3}.

These are estimates, and obtaining multiple detailed quotes from reputable local landscapers or drainage contractors is essential. Be sure the quote includes a clear design explanation, a breakdown of labor and materials, and information on warranties for both materials and workmanship. A proper drainage system not only solves immediate problems but can also prevent costly foundation repairs, reduce basement flooding, and enhance your yard's usability and curb appeal.

Maintaining Your Drainage System

Once installed, most subsurface drainage systems require minimal maintenance, but a little care ensures longevity. Periodically inspect and clear debris from grate covers on catch basins and channel drains. Ensure downspout extensions are intact and not blocked. Keep an eye on the discharge point of any French drain to make sure it's clear and flowing freely. For rain gardens and swales, occasional weeding and replanting may be necessary to maintain their effectiveness and appearance. An annual check, especially after the fall leaf drop, can help your system perform for decades.

Frequently asked questions

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