Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Portland, Oregon Ranked

Managing water is a fundamental part of homeownership in Portland. The city's wet climate means that effective yard drainage and proper land grading are not just about preventing a soggy lawn-they are critical for protecting your home's foundation, preventing basement flooding, and contributing to the city's broader stormwater management goals. This guide explains the core concepts of water management, outlines the most common solutions used by Portland professionals, and provides a framework for understanding the process and costs involved. You can use this information to identify local experts who can assess your property and implement the right system for your needs.

HD Landscape and Maintenance

portland

HD Landscape and Maintenance is a landscaping and maintenance company serving Portland, OR, and the surrounding metropolitan area. They offer a wide range of services including lawn care, sod and artificial turf installation, fence installation, landscape lighting, landscape design, tree services, yard drainage, hardscaping, and seasonal maintenance. Their work covers residential and commercial properties across Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The company emphasizes sustainable landscaping practices using native plants and eco-friendly materials. They are fully licensed and insured, with experience handling projects from initial design to completion, including specialized capabilities like storm damage restoration and smart drainage systems.

5.0

263 Reviews

Simple Lawns Landscape Design

9707 NE 54th St #C, Vancouver, WA 98662

Simple Lawns Landscape Design is a family-owned landscaping and lawn care company serving Portland, OR. They provide a full range of services including lawn mowing, fertilization, weed control, landscape design, yard drainage, sprinkler installation and repair, and hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. With over 20 years of experience, they focus on durable outdoor solutions backed by a 5-year warranty on hardscaping. Their team includes trained installers who stay current with landscaping techniques to ensure quality results.

4.9

338 Reviews

Lawn & Irrigation Technologies NW

2900 SE Cornelius Pass Rd Ste 336, Hillsboro, OR 97123

Lawn & Irrigation Technologies NW is a landscaping and irrigation contractor based in Portland, OR, serving the Washington County area for over 30 years. They offer a wide range of services including irrigation system installation and repair, sod installation, landscape lighting, paver installation, yard drainage solutions, and lawn fertilization. Their team is known for using water-efficient irrigation products and providing NDS-certified drainage solutions to enhance outdoor spaces while promoting environmental stewardship.

4.9

164 Reviews

Danshap Landscaping and Excavation inc.

7800 NE 103rd Ave, Vancouver, WA 98662

Danshap Landscaping and Excavation Inc. is a licensed, bonded, and insured landscaping company serving Portland, OR, and the surrounding areas. They offer a wide range of services including sod installation, landscape design, tree removal, stump grinding, yard drainage, grading, land clearing, brush removal, and general lawn care. The company is equipped to handle both residential and commercial projects, with capabilities such as grading and re-sloping yards to improve drainage and appearance. Danshap Landscaping is locally owned and operated, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and quality workmanship.

5.0

68 Reviews

Wyeast Gardens, LLC

23202 SE Hoffmeister Rd, Damascus, OR 97089

Wyeast Gardens, LLC is a full-service landscaping company based in Portland, OR, offering landscape design, irrigation installation and repair, yard drainage solutions, and hardscaping services. Serving commercial, residential, industrial, and governmental clients, they specialize in efficient irrigation systems and sustainable water management to enhance outdoor spaces. Established in 1994, Wyeast Gardens brings over 25 years of experience, including work with national cemeteries and VA hospitals, and provides skilled masonry and landscape construction services.

5.0

65 Reviews

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Why Water Management is Essential in Portland

Portland receives significant rainfall, and how that water moves across your property has lasting impacts. Without proper drainage and grading, stormwater can pool around your foundation, leading to costly structural damage, mold, and a saturated, unusable yard. Furthermore, Portland's sewer system can become overwhelmed during heavy rains, which is why the city encourages property owners to manage rain on-site through techniques that slow, spread, and soak water into the ground ¹. Investing in good drainage isn't just a home improvement; it's a way to protect your investment and support local environmental infrastructure.

Core Principles of Effective Drainage

Successful water management follows a simple principle: move water away from structures and allow it to infiltrate the soil safely. This involves understanding the source of the water (like roof runoff or runoff from a higher neighboring property), the path it takes, and the problem area where it collects. A professional assessment will map this flow and identify the most strategic points for intervention, whether that's redirecting water at its source, improving its path, or creating a dedicated area for it to soak in.

Common Drainage and Grading Solutions for Portland Homes

Portland contractors employ a variety of techniques, often in combination, to solve water issues. The right solution depends on your property's slope, soil type, and the specific problem you're facing.

Land Grading and Swales

Grading is the process of reshaping the soil's slope to create positive drainage away from your home's foundation. It's often the first line of defense. A related surface solution is a swale-a broad, shallow channel lined with grass or rock that guides water across your yard to a safe discharge point, like a street gutter or a rain garden. Swales are a natural-looking way to manage surface flow and can cost between $800 and $3,000 for installation ².

Downspout Disconnection and Rain Barrels

A simple but highly effective step is disconnecting your downspouts from the sewer system and redirecting the roof runoff. This can be directed into a rain barrel (typically costing $100-$300) for later garden use, or into a dry well or rain garden where it can soak into the ground. This reduces the burden on the city's pipes and puts the water to good use on your property ¹.

Rain Gardens and Planter Boxes

Rain gardens are landscaped depressions filled with native, water-tolerant plants that collect runoff from roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces. They are designed to temporarily hold water and allow it to filter into the soil, removing pollutants in the process. They are a cornerstone of Portland's "green infrastructure" approach ³. A well-designed rain garden is typically sized to about 10% of the drainage area it serves. Planter boxes function similarly but are more contained, often used in tighter spaces or near foundations.

Subsurface Drainage: French Drains and Dry Wells

For persistent soggy spots or water that collects near foundations, subsurface systems are key. A French drain involves a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects and redirects groundwater. It's an ideal solution for water that's seeping up from below. Dry wells are underground chambers, often filled with gravel or a special crate system, that collect water from downspouts or drains and allow it to slowly percolate into the surrounding soil. Installation for a French drain can range from $2,000 to over $7,000, while a dry well may cost between $1,000 and $4,000+ ^{4 5}.

Catch Basins and Permeable Pavement

Catch basins (or area drains) are grates connected to underground piping that collect surface water from driveways, patios, or low spots, costing roughly $600 to $2,000+ for installation ⁵. For new hardscapes, permeable pavement-such as porous concrete, pavers, or gravel-allows rainwater to seep directly through the surface into a stone base below, preventing runoff altogether.

The Professional Installation Process: What to Expect

Hiring a professional for drainage work typically follows a structured process to ensure a lasting, code-compliant solution.

1. Site Assessment and Diagnosis: A contractor will inspect your property during or after a rain to identify the sources and flow paths of water. They'll look for signs of erosion, pooling, and foundation dampness.
2. Design and Solution Planning: Based on the assessment, they will design a system, which may combine several techniques (e.g., grading to direct water to a swale, which feeds into a rain garden). Good design always includes an overflow path for extreme rainfall events ⁶.
3. Permitting and City Guidelines: Portland has a Stormwater Management Manual that outlines best practices. While simple disconnections or small rain gardens may not require a permit, more complex projects involving significant excavation or connection to the public system might ^{1 7}. Your contractor should handle this research.
4. Installation: This phase involves excavation, pipe laying, grading, planting (for green solutions), and system assembly. Proper installation is critical for long-term function.
5. Maintenance Guidance: All drainage systems require some upkeep. This includes clearing debris from grates and drain inlets, watering rain gardens during dry spells until plants are established, and ensuring overflow paths remain clear ⁸.

Understanding Costs for Drainage Projects

Costs vary widely based on the solution's complexity, the size of your property, and the materials used. Here's a general overview of what you might expect to invest:

• Land Grading: Costs are often quoted per square foot, ranging from $0.08 to $2.00, or as a project fee of $770 to $3,000 for regrading an area of 1,000-2,000 square feet ⁹.
• French Drain: As a complete system, installation typically ranges from $2,000 to $7,000 or more ^{4 10}.
• Dry Well: Installing a dry well system generally costs between $1,000 and $4,000+ ⁵.
• Swale or Surface Drain: Creating a swale can cost $800 to $5,000+, with per-linear-foot rates applying for longer channels ².
• Contractor Labor: Many contractors charge an hourly rate between $50 and $100, or a flat project fee ¹⁰.

Remember, these are estimates. The best way to get an accurate cost is to obtain detailed quotes from licensed and insured local contractors who specialize in drainage work.

A Vital Local Resource

For Portland homeowners, a key first step is to consult the city's Bureau of Environmental Services (BES). Their "Managing Rain on Your Property" portal offers detailed guidance, technical assistance, and can even provide site assessments in some cases ^{1 11}. This resource is invaluable for understanding city standards and incentives before you start your project.

Frequently asked questions

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