If you’ve ever stepped outside after a heavy rain only to find puddles in your lawn, water creeping into your basement, or soil washing away around your home, you’re not alone. Yard drainage issues are some of the most common and frustrating problems homeowners face. And while some may start small—a soggy patch of grass or a little mildew in the basement—they can quickly lead to bigger, more expensive issues like foundation damage, mold growth, and landscape erosion.
That’s where professional yard drainage companies come in.
A skilled drainage contractor doesn’t just dig trenches or lay down a few pipes. They understand how water moves through soil, how it interacts with your home’s foundation, and how to design and implement a drainage system that works for your unique property. If you’re dealing with recurring water problems on your property, hiring the right company can make all the difference.
At Valley View Excavating, we’ve been helping Connecticut homeowners solve their toughest drainage challenges with smart, lasting solutions. In this article, we’ll break down the types of yard drainage problems you might be facing, explain what a yard drainage company does, and offer insight into how to choose the right contractor for your home.
Why Yard Drainage Problems Are So Common
Yard drainage issues happen for a number of reasons, and they can affect both newer homes and older properties. The cause might be the natural slope of your land, the type of soil in your yard, or even poor planning during construction. Some homes are built on clay-heavy soil that doesn’t drain well. Others sit at the bottom of a hill and collect runoff from surrounding properties.
Whatever the cause, the result is usually the same: water ends up where it doesn’t belong.
Some of the most common symptoms homeowners notice include:
- Standing water or puddles in the lawn
- Soggy, mushy soil that never seems to dry out
- Water pooling around the foundation
- Wet spots in the basement or crawl space
- Mold, mildew, or musty odors indoors
- Erosion along walkways, patios, or driveways
These aren’t just cosmetic issues. Over time, water that lingers too long in or around your property can lead to serious problems, including:
- Foundation cracks and settling
- Structural damage
- Rotting wood and framing
- Lawn disease and dying plants
- Mosquito infestations
If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s time to call a professional yard drainage company to assess the situation and recommend a long-term solution.
What Yard Drainage Companies Do
So what exactly does a yard drainage company like Valley View Excavating do?
First and foremost, we listen. We want to understand what you’ve been experiencing, how long it’s been going on, and what areas of your property are affected. Then we perform a detailed site evaluation, looking at the slope of your land, how water flows during storms, the type of soil you have, and how close any water is getting to your home.
Once we understand the problem, we design a customized drainage solution that may involve one or more of the following:
- Grading and reshaping your yard
- Installing French drains or channel drains
- Adding downspout extensions or underground piping
- Waterproofing your foundation
- Repairing cracks in your basement walls
- Installing sump pumps or dewatering systems
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common yard drainage problems and how a good drainage company solves them.
Standing Water in the Yard
One of the first things homeowners notice is standing water that lingers after rain. These puddles aren’t just unsightly—they create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and can destroy grass or garden beds.
The causes often include low spots in the yard, compacted soil, or poor grading that prevents water from draining properly.
How we fix it:
A yard drainage company may recommend regrading the area to promote better runoff, or installing a French drain system to carry water underground to a safe discharge point. In some cases, we may also install a dry well or rain garden to give the water a place to go.
Water Pooling Around the Foundation
When water collects near the base of your home, it’s a serious concern. Over time, this moisture can seep into the foundation, causing cracks, mold, and even basement flooding.
This usually happens because the soil around the home wasn’t graded properly, or the downspouts are dumping water too close to the house.
How we fix it:
We’ll likely recommend burying your downspouts and running them through underground pipes away from the foundation. If necessary, we can regrade the soil around the house and install a perimeter drainage system or foundation waterproofing to stop water from seeping in.
Basement Leaks and Flooding
Few things are more stressful than walking into your basement and seeing water on the floor. Basement leaks are often a sign that groundwater is building up outside the foundation and pushing its way inside.
Sometimes it’s due to hydrostatic pressure. Other times, it’s from cracks in the foundation or inadequate drainage around the perimeter.
How we fix it:
Depending on the situation, we may install interior drains, sump pumps, or exterior waterproofing membranes. We also seal any cracks in the foundation to stop active leaks. Our goal is always to keep water out permanently—not just temporarily patch the problem.
Erosion Around Hardscapes
If water is washing away soil near patios, driveways, or retaining walls, you’re likely dealing with an erosion issue. Over time, erosion can compromise the stability of these structures and ruin the appearance of your yard.
How we fix it:
We may install channel drains to collect and redirect surface runoff or regrade the area to soften the slope. In some cases, we’ll use erosion control fabrics, drainage swales, or retaining walls with built-in drainage to stabilize the area.
Soggy Lawn or Poor Drainage Soil
In many cases, the issue isn’t just water pooling on the surface—it’s that the soil below can’t absorb it quickly enough. Clay-heavy or compacted soils are notorious for holding onto water, especially in flat yards with nowhere for the water to go.
How we fix it:
We often recommend aerating the soil and improving its composition with sand or organic matter. For more severe issues, we may install a subsurface drainage system like a French drain or a dry well to handle the excess moisture below ground.
Flooding from Neighboring Properties
Sometimes the water problems aren’t even coming from your property—they’re coming from next door. If your neighbor’s yard sits higher than yours or if runoff flows downhill toward your home, you can find yourself dealing with water that isn’t yours to begin with.
How we fix it:
A combination of swales, berms, catch basins, and underground piping can be used to redirect water safely around your home. We’ll also make sure any drainage solution complies with local regulations so that you’re protected from both water and legal headaches.
Choosing the Right Yard Drainage Company
Now that you know what kinds of problems drainage companies handle, how do you choose the right one?
Not all drainage contractors are created equal. You want a company that doesn’t just offer one solution but understands how to assess and fix the full range of yard and foundation drainage problems.
Here are a few key things to look for:
Experience:
Make sure the company has a track record of solving drainage issues similar to yours. Experience with both residential excavation and drainage design is a big plus.
Comprehensive Solutions:
A good yard drainage company doesn’t just offer one fix. Look for a contractor that provides a range of services—from grading and pipe installation to waterproofing and sump pump installation.
Licensed and Insured:
Always verify that your contractor is licensed and insured to do the work in your area. This protects you in case anything goes wrong during the project.
Transparency:
You want someone who’s going to explain the problem, walk you through your options, and provide a clear, honest estimate. A contractor who answers your questions thoroughly is one you can trust.
Customer Reviews:
Check out online reviews or ask for references. Past clients can give you a good sense of how the company operates and the quality of their work.
At Valley View Excavating, we take pride in being a full-service drainage contractor. We don’t believe in band-aid fixes. We believe in solving the problem the right way—so you don’t have to deal with it again.
Working With Valley View Excavating
When you choose Valley View Excavating, you’re getting a team that understands Connecticut’s unique landscapes and weather patterns. We’ve helped homeowners from Farmington to Southington, Bristol to New Britain, and beyond find relief from long-standing drainage problems.
Here’s what you can expect when you work with us:
- On-Site Evaluation
We visit your property, assess the drainage issue firsthand, and discuss what you’ve been experiencing. - Custom Drainage Plan
Based on our findings, we design a custom solution that might include one or more types of drains, regrading, waterproofing, or pumping systems. - Professional Installation
Our experienced crew handles the entire installation from start to finish—including excavation, pipe installation, soil work, and cleanup. - Long-Term Results
We build systems that last. We use high-quality materials, proven techniques, and we stand by our work.
Say Goodbye to Water Woes
Yard drainage problems are stressful—but they’re fixable. Whether you’re dealing with a soggy lawn, a leaky basement, or water pooling near your foundation, the right drainage company can make all the difference.
At Valley View Excavating, we specialize in helping homeowners like you take back control of their yard, protect their home, and enjoy peace of mind every time it rains.
If you’re tired of temporary fixes or trying to DIY your way through drainage issues, give us a call. We’re here to help you find the right solution—for good.
Reach out today for a drainage consultation and let Valley View Excavating protect what matters most: your home.