Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ranked

Managing stormwater is a critical part of homeownership in Philadelphia. Persistent pooling, soggy lawns, and water intrusion into basements are common issues that stem from improper yard drainage and grading. Effective solutions not only protect your property's foundation and landscape but also contribute to the city's broader Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) goals by reducing runoff into the sewer system. This guide explains the core principles of residential stormwater management, outlines the most effective techniques for Philadelphia homes, and helps you understand how to connect with local professionals who can assess your property and implement a lasting solution.

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 Philadelphia's Stormwater Challenge

Philadelphia's older combined sewer system and dense urban landscape create unique drainage challenges. During heavy rain, impervious surfaces like roofs, driveways, and patios generate significant runoff that can overwhelm soil capacity and drainage paths. This often leads to water pooling in low spots, eroding soil, and seeping into basements. The Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) actively promotes on-site stormwater management to alleviate pressure on the public system and improve local water quality ¹. For homeowners, this means solutions that manage water where it falls, turning a problem into a resource for your garden and landscape.

Core Principles: Drainage and Grading

At its heart, effective yard water management rests on two interconnected concepts: drainage and grading.

Grading refers to the slope and contour of your land. The fundamental rule is to create positive drainage, meaning the ground should slope away from your home's foundation for at least the first 5 to 10 feet. This simple step is one of the most effective ways to prevent foundation damage and basement flooding ². Regrading involves carefully moving and compacting soil to direct surface water toward appropriate discharge points, like a street gutter, a drainage swale, or a designated infiltration area.

Drainage encompasses the systems that collect and redirect water that grading alone cannot manage. This includes subsurface solutions like French drains and dry wells, as well as surface features like swales and channels. In Philadelphia, integrating these with GSI practices-such as rain gardens-is encouraged to maximize environmental benefit ³.

Common Residential Drainage & Grading Solutions

A variety of techniques can be combined to create a comprehensive water management plan for your property.

Regrading and Resloping

This is often the first corrective step. Professionals reshape the soil around your foundation and across your yard to eliminate depressions where water collects and to create positive flow away from structures. The cost for basic regrading can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the yard size and amount of earth moved ⁴.

French Drains and Dry Wells

A French drain is a gravel-filled trench containing a perforated pipe that collects and redirects groundwater. It's ideal for relieving hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls or channeling water from a chronically soggy area. The pipe typically empties into a dry well-a large, underground pit filled with gravel that allows water to slowly percolate into the surrounding soil. These subsurface systems are more complex, with installation costs often ranging from $1,000 to $4,000+ based on length and depth ⁵.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Practices

The PWD strongly supports these landscape-based solutions that absorb and filter runoff ¹.

• Rain Gardens (Bioretention): A shallow, planted depression designed to capture runoff from roofs or driveways. It uses special soil mix and deep-rooted native plants to filter pollutants and allow water to infiltrate over 24-48 hours ^{6 7}. Installation can cost between $500 and $3,000+, but the PWD's Rain Check Program offers significant rebates for qualified projects ⁸.
• Rain Barrels: Simple cisterns connected to downspouts that capture roof runoff for later use in watering gardens. They are an excellent first step in reducing runoff volume from your property ⁹.
• Permeable Pavements: Surfaces like permeable pavers or reinforced turf grids allow rainwater to seep through into a stone reservoir below, instead of running off. While the initial cost is higher than conventional pavement, it effectively reduces runoff volume and can help meet stormwater requirements ¹⁰.

Swales and Channels

These are shallow, vegetated ditches used to convey water across a landscape. A bioswale is enhanced with plants and soil amendments to help slow and filter the water as it moves. They are effective for managing sheet flow across a yard or directing water to a rain garden ³.

The Professional Process: From Assessment to Maintenance

Implementing an effective drainage and grading plan typically follows a structured process.

1. Site Assessment and Diagnosis: A professional will inspect your property during or after a rain event to identify problem areas, trace water flow paths, and evaluate soil type. They will look for signs of foundation pooling, ineffective slope, and saturated soil.
2. Design and Planning: Using the assessment, a tailored plan is developed. This may involve simple regrading or a integrated system combining surface and subsurface drainage with GSI elements. For projects that impact runoff volumes significantly, guidance from the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual may be consulted ¹¹.
3. Permitting: Most basic grading and drainage work on private property doesn't require a permit. However, projects that tie into the public right-of-way, involve extensive excavation, or alter sewer connections may need approval from PWD or the Department of Licenses and Inspections ¹¹. A reputable contractor will handle this.
4. Implementation: This is the construction phase. It can involve operating machinery for regrading, excavating trenches for drains, installing piping and infiltration chambers, constructing rain gardens, and planting appropriate native vegetation ^{2 5}.
5. Maintenance: All systems require upkeep. This includes clearing debris from inlets and swales, weeding and replanting rain gardens, checking downspout connections, and ensuring the grading slope hasn't settled or eroded over time ⁶.

Factors Influencing Cost in Philadelphia

The investment for yard drainage and grading solutions varies widely based on the property's size, problem severity, and solutions chosen. Here's a general breakdown:

• DIY Solutions: Installing a rain barrel is a low-cost entry point ($50 - $200), potentially with a rebate ⁸. Simple regrading or creating a swale can be a DIY project if you have the skill and equipment.
• Professional Grading: Correcting the slope around a foundation or leveling a yard typically ranges from $500 to $2,000+, with complexity and accessibility affecting the price ⁴.
• Subsurface Drainage Systems: Installing a French drain system with a dry well is a more significant investment, often between $1,000 and $4,000+, depending on linear footage, depth, and site conditions ⁵.
• GSI Installations: A professionally installed rain garden may cost $500 to $3,000+. Crucially, Philadelphia homeowners should explore the PWD Rain Check Program, which provides technical assistance and rebates to offset the cost of approved GSI practices like rain gardens, downspout planters, and permeable pavers ^{1 8}.
• Permeable Paving: This is typically a premium option, with costs significantly higher than standard asphalt or concrete, but it provides excellent stormwater management benefits ¹⁰.

Always get multiple detailed quotes from established contractors. The quote should clearly separate labor, materials, and any permit fees.

Working with Philadelphia's Resources

A key advantage for Philadelphia homeowners is the support available from the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). Beyond the Rain Check Program, the PWD website offers a wealth of resources, including the Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater and detailed design manuals for GSI ^{3 1 6}. When consulting with contractors, look for those familiar with PWD guidelines and rebate programs, as this knowledge can lead to more effective, compliant, and potentially less expensive solutions for your stormwater issues.

Frequently asked questions

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