Standing water in your yard is not just inconvenient; it can kill your grass and other plants, ruining your landscape. In addition to being an eyesore and a general nuisance, standing water can also be a health hazard, harboring mosquitoes and other pests. If you have a problem with poor drainage in your yard, you can correct it easily enough with a little work, some simple tools and our easy-to-follow instructions for simple drainage problems.
Tools & Materials
Tools
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Plan Your Project
Before you begin any excavation you need to call and check for underground utilities. The North America One Call Referral Service at 1-888-258-0808 (or just dial 811) connects you to a national directory of utility companies.
- Never place the outlet in an area that simply moves the drainage problem to a different area (especially someone else's property).
- Contact your local authorities if you plan to connect your drain to any municipal, county or state drainage or run off system.
- Contact your local authorities if you plan to connect your drain to any creek, stream or other body of water.
Determine the Basin and Outlet Locations
Locate the basin at the lowest point in the area to be drained.
Locate the outlet in an area that will be able to handle the added water. The outlet should be at least 1 1/8" lower than the basin for every 10' of distance between the basin and the outlet. That's roughly a 1' drop for every 100' of length or a 1 percent slope. If using a corrugated pipe, it is recommended that the outlet be 2 ¼" lower than the basin for every 10".
Install the Drainage System
Starting at the spot designated for the outlet, dig a 12" to 18" deep by 8" wide trench to the spot designated for the basin. The trench should have a consistent slope from beginning to end. Be careful to keep the trench bottom flat so you don't have high spots in the corrugated pipe that may hamper the flow of water.
Drill ¼" hole in each corner of the bottom of the catch basin. Before installing the basic, place 6" of gravel under the basin to eliminate standing water.
Dig a hole for and install the basin and basin grate. The basin grate should be flush with or slightly below the surrounding grade.
Connect the corrugated pipe to the basin outlet and place the pipe in the trench.
Test the drain by running water into the basin with a hose. If the system doesn't drain, adjust the trench.
Note: Many pipe connections in landscape drainage, including those to catch basins, are not designed to be water tight. When testing the system, it will leak. Once the trenches and area around the basin are backfilled, the soil will seal the connections.
Secure hardware cloth to the outlet end of the pipe to keep small creatures from nesting in and clogging your drainage system.
Backfill the trench.
Tools, products, materials, techniques, building codes and local regulations change; therefore, Lowe's assumes no liability for omissions, errors or the outcome of any project. The reader must always exercise reasonable caution, follow current codes and regulations that may apply, and is urged to consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Please read our terms of use.