Yard drainage fixes that help a wet basement
- Downspout extensions or buried solid pipe that carry roof water well away from the walls
- Regrading so soil falls away from the house; Brunswick's building division recommends at least six inches in the first ten feet
- French drains across a slope that sends water toward the house
- Catch basins for low spots in the lawn
- A defined outlet for sump pump discharge
The City of Wadsworth lists disconnected or short downspouts, too few gutters and grading toward the house among the most common causes of wet basements.
How a waterproofing job works with us
Send the form
Your name and phone first, then the address and a few details about the water or the wall.
We get back to you
We call you back to talk through what you're seeing and pick a time to come out.
We inspect and quote
We look at the basement and the outside of the house, show you where the water is getting in, then write up a price.
You decide
The method, the schedule and any permit are settled with you before work starts.
The inspection and the written estimate are free, and you're under no obligation to go ahead.
Get a yard drainage and french drains quote
Yard French drain vs footing drain
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe in the bottom that collects water from wet ground and carries it downhill to an outlet. In a yard it intercepts water before it reaches the house; around a footing it is the foundation drain the Residential Code of Ohio requires for basements.
| Yard French drain | Footing drain | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Across a slope or through a low spot in the yard | Beside the footing, around the basement walls |
| What it catches | Surface and shallow water flowing toward the house | Water against the walls and under the floor |
| Where the water ends up | Downhill to an outlet | A sump pump or a gravity outlet |
Why does water sit in Medina County yards?
Much of the county is clay-rich glacial till, and FEMA describes the western half as level with largely clay soil. Water soaks in slowly and perches near the surface, so lawns stay soggy and roof water poured beside a wall goes straight to the basement.
Where drainage water can go
What helps us price drainage work
- Rain photosShots of the yard during or right after rain show where water flows and pools.
- A rough mapDownspout locations, the sump discharge and slopes toward the house.
- A possible outletAny low spot where water could leave the lot.
- Survey or platUseful if easements cross the back of the lot.
Yard Drainage and French Drains questions
Can I drain water onto my neighbor's yard?
How far should downspouts discharge from the house?
Will a French drain fix a wet basement?
Get a yard drainage and french drains quote in Medina
Send your name and phone number, then the address and where the water shows up. We'll call you back to set up an inspection.