Top Yard Drainage & Grading in Arlington, Texas Ranked

A soggy lawn, water pooling against your foundation, or a basement that floods after every storm are more than just nuisances-they are signs of a serious drainage problem that can threaten your home's structural integrity. Proper yard drainage and grading is the essential process of managing surface and groundwater flow on your property to protect your investment and create a usable outdoor space. This guide will help you understand the common solutions for Arlington homes, from simple grading to complex French drain systems, and how to connect with local professionals who can assess your specific situation and provide a lasting fix.

Magnolia Turf Co. Dallas

3200 Garden Brook Dr, Farmers Branch, TX 75234

Magnolia Turf Co. Dallas provides artificial grass installation and yard drainage services in Dallas, TX. They specialize in installing premium artificial turf designed to withstand the Texas heat and offer durable, low-maintenance lawn solutions. Their projects often include grading and drainage improvements to enhance yard functionality and safety. With over 10 years of experience and more than 10,000 installations, Magnolia Turf Co. Dallas serves both residential and commercial clients, delivering turf that maintains color and resilience under intense sunlight.

5.0

173 Reviews

Bird's Landscape and Irrigation LLC

fort worth

Bird's Landscape and Irrigation LLC is based in Fort Worth, TX, providing a range of landscaping and irrigation services. They specialize in irrigation and drainage system design and installation, including gravity propelled and sump pump powered water management. The company also offers sod installation, landscape lighting, hardscaping, and sprinkler system services for both residential and commercial properties. With over 24 years of experience, Bird's Landscape and Irrigation delivers expert solutions focused on improving yard appearance and home curb appeal.

5.0

150 Reviews

Landscape Legends & Holiday Lighting

fort worth

Landscape Legends & Holiday Lighting is a landscaping and lawn care company based in Fort Worth, TX. They provide a wide range of services including lawn mowing, weed control, fertilization, shrub and tree trimming, landscape lighting installation, hardscaping, irrigation system installation and repair, and seasonal clean-ups. The company is known for personalized service and eco-friendly practices, tailoring projects to the unique needs of each client. They have been serving the area for over five years and also offer holiday lighting installation.

5.0

116 Reviews

American Sprinkler Repair

250 N Mill St STE 4, Lewisville, TX 75057

American Sprinkler Repair is a family-owned company serving Dallas, TX, and the surrounding North Texas area since 1954. They specialize exclusively in sprinkler system repair, addressing issues such as broken valves, sprinkler heads, controller malfunctions, pipe leaks, backflow preventer problems, and water pressure concerns. Their licensed technicians bring extensive experience and carry parts for major irrigation brands to complete most repairs on the first visit. The company offers emergency sprinkler repair services for urgent situations that require immediate attention.

4.9

619 Reviews

Moore Sprinkler Company

11120 Petal St Suite B100, Dallas, TX 75238

Moore Sprinkler Company is a Dallas, TX-based provider specializing in residential and commercial irrigation, yard drainage, grading, and landscape lighting installation. Serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the company offers services including sprinkler installation and repair, outdoor lighting, and drainage solutions. With over 50 years of experience since 1975, Moore Sprinkler Company brings a long history of licensed expertise to its projects.

4.9

569 Reviews

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Why Drainage Matters in Arlington, Texas

The soil composition and weather patterns in North Texas create unique challenges for homeowners. Arlington's clay-heavy soil is notorious for its poor drainage; it absorbs water slowly and holds onto it, leading to prolonged saturation and runoff ¹. When combined with the region's intense, sudden downpours, this can quickly overwhelm a yard's natural ability to shed water. The primary goal of any residential drainage project is to create a positive slope-directing water away from your home's foundation at a minimum grade of 3% (a 3-foot drop over 100 feet) ². Failure to manage this runoff can lead to foundation cracks, mold growth in crawl spaces, ruined landscaping, and mosquito breeding grounds.

Common Yard Drainage Problems and Signs

How do you know if you need professional drainage work? Look for these telltale signs around your Arlington property:

• Standing Water: Puddles that remain for more than 24 hours after rain.
• Soil Erosion: Gullies or washed-out areas in your lawn, especially near downspouts.
• Water in the Basement or Crawl Space: Dampness, seepage, or active flooding.
• Soggy Lawn: Areas that are constantly spongy or muddy.
• Foundation Cracks: New or widening cracks in your home's exterior or interior walls, often exacerbated by soil expansion and contraction.
• Water Stains on foundation walls.

Identifying these issues early is key to preventing costly structural repairs down the line.

Core Solutions for Effective Yard Drainage

Professional contractors in Arlington utilize a toolbox of techniques to solve water problems. The right solution depends on your yard's topography, soil, and the specific issue.

1. Regrading and Land Leveling

This is often the first line of defense. Grading involves strategically reshaping the soil around your home to create the crucial slope that directs surface runoff away from the foundation ³. For existing homes, this may involve bringing in compactable fill dirt to build up low areas. For new construction or major renovations, it's a critical step in the site preparation process. Proper grading is the foundation of any effective drainage plan.

2. Subsurface Drainage Systems

When surface grading isn't enough to handle the volume of water, systems are installed underground.

• French Drains: A trench is dug, lined with gravel, and contains a perforated pipe that intercepts and redirects groundwater away from problem areas ⁴. They are highly effective for relieving hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls and drying out soggy yards.
• Catch Basins and Channel Drains: These are grated inlets installed in low spots or along hard surfaces like driveways and patios. They collect large volumes of surface water and channel it into an underground pipe system for disposal ⁵.
• Dry Wells: An underground chamber filled with gravel that collects water from downspouts or drains and allows it to slowly percolate back into the soil, used when directing water to the street isn't feasible ⁶.

3. Surface Management and Beautification

Some solutions manage water while enhancing your landscape.

• Swales: Broad, shallow ditches lined with grass or rock that gently channel water across a property to a safe discharge point.
• Rain Gardens: A landscaped depression planted with native, water-tolerant vegetation. It collects runoff from roofs or driveways, allowing it to be absorbed and filtered naturally-an eco-friendly solution encouraged by water management programs ^{7 8}.

4. Active Water Removal

In cases where gravity alone can't solve the problem, mechanical systems are used.

• Sump Pumps: Installed in a basement or crawl space pit, these pumps activate automatically when water levels rise, actively pumping water out and away from the home via a discharge line.

The Professional Drainage Project Process

Tackling a drainage issue systematically ensures a lasting solution.

1. Assessment & Diagnosis: A reputable contractor will visit your property, ideally after a rain, to identify all problem areas, trace water flow, and determine the root cause. They will check your home's current grading and downspout extensions.
2. Planning & Design: Using their assessment, the professional will design a custom system that may combine several solutions (e.g., regrading paired with a French drain). They will also identify a legal and appropriate outlet for the water, such as a storm sewer, curb, or dry well.
3. Permitting: Depending on the scope-especially if tying into municipal storm systems-the contractor may need to pull permits from the City of Arlington ^{8 9}.
4. Installation: This phase can involve excavation, trenching for pipes, installing basins and drains, reshaping soil, and carefully backfilling and compacting.
5. Final Inspection & Testing: A good contractor will test the system, often with a hose or during a rain event, to ensure water flows as designed and away from your home.

Understanding Costs for Drainage Work in Arlington

Costs for drainage and grading solutions vary widely based on yard size, soil conditions, accessibility, and system complexity. Below are general estimate ranges to help you budget; always get detailed, written quotes from multiple licensed Arlington contractors ¹⁰.

• Minor Grading/Re-sloping: For correcting slope in a specific area, prices can range from $400 to over $1,500 ³.
• French Drain Installation: A standard residential French drain project typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000+, with length and depth being major price factors ^{4 5}.
• Catch Basin or Channel Drain: Installing a single basin with connecting pipework generally falls in the range of $500 to $1,500+ ⁵.
• Rain Garden: Creating a functional and attractive rain garden can cost between $300 and $1,000+, depending on size and plant selection ⁷.
• Sump Pump System: Installing a complete sump pump system, including the pump, basin, and discharge piping, usually runs from $1,000 to $2,500+ ⁶.

Crucial Reminder: The lowest bid is not always the best. Ensure any contractor you consider is licensed, insured, and can provide local references. Verify their familiarity with Arlington's codes and soil conditions.

Maintaining Your Drainage System

Once installed, a little maintenance goes a long way:

• Keep drain grates and catch basins clear of leaves, grass clippings, and debris.
• Inspect downspouts and extensions regularly to ensure they are intact and directing water several feet away from the foundation.
• After heavy rains, check the outlets of your drainage pipes to ensure they are flowing freely.
• Monitor previously wet areas to confirm the system is working.

Frequently asked questions

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