Drainage & Grading
Drainage problems rarely come from one issue alone. Slope, collection, discharge, hardscape layout, and soil behavior all affect how a property performs. CDG approaches the major solution families as one coordinated strategy.
We look at topography, low points, runoff paths, and how new outdoor features will change water movement.
Different drainage conditions call for different combinations of grading, collection, conveyance, storage, and infiltration.
The goal is not to bolt drainage onto the end of a project, but to integrate it with patios, planting, pools, and access.
Each property has its own combination of runoff, saturation, slope, and usability challenges. These are the major categories we evaluate when building a drainage and grading plan.
Grading sets the direction for everything else. We shape slopes and finished elevations to move water away from structures, reduce standing water, and support the long-term performance of the landscape and hardscape around it.
When grade changes need structure, retaining walls help stabilize transitions and create usable outdoor space. They are often part of a larger drainage strategy on sloped or layered sites.
Cisterns can be used when a project needs to capture and hold water as part of a broader site strategy. They are considered when storage, controlled release, or water reuse goals need to be coordinated with grading and drainage design.
French drains help intercept and redirect subsurface water that lingers around lawns, beds, patios, and foundations. They are useful when water needs to be collected below the surface and carried to a better outlet.
Dry creeks provide a visible path for moving stormwater across the property while adding texture to the landscape. They can help slow erosion and organize runoff in a way that feels integrated with the yard instead of hidden from it.
Dry wells are considered when collected water needs a place to disperse below grade. They are typically part of a system, working alongside surface collection and conveyance components rather than acting as a one-piece fix.
Catch basins collect surface water at low points before it spreads across paving, turf, or planting beds. They are often used where fast collection matters, especially around patios, drive approaches, and drainage transitions.
Permeable pavers can help certain hardscape areas handle water more gracefully by allowing infiltration through the surface assembly. They are evaluated as part of an integrated hardscape and drainage approach rather than as a stand-alone aesthetic upgrade.
Some sites need regrading first. Others need a mix of surface collection, subsurface drainage, structural support, and hardscape choices that help water behave better over time. Our role is to organize those pieces into a plan that supports the way the property is actually used.
Ready to talk through your site?
If drainage issues are affecting how you use your yard, we can help evaluate the conditions and discuss the right mix of solutions.