Drainage & Irrigation
Move water away from your home and hardscape, and water your landscape efficiently.
Water Where You Want It, Not Where You Don’t
Many East Bay yards sit on heavy clay soil and slopes, so rain needs a planned path away from the house, patios, and walls. We design drainage into every project, and we build irrigation systems that water each area according to its sun, shade, and plants.
Grading
Shaping the ground so water flows away from the house.
Drains & Catch Basins
Area drains, channel drains, and catch basins.
Downspout Tie-Ins
Roof downspouts connected to underground pipe.
French Drains & Dry Creeks
Perforated pipe, drain rock, and river-rock channels.
Sprinkler Systems
Pop-up spray heads with overlapping coverage.
Drip Irrigation
Efficient drip for planting areas and trees.
How We Build Drainage and Irrigation
Our drainage and irrigation standards are written down and apply to every project that includes them.
- Minimum 3-inch drain pipe with a target 1% slope to the outlet
- Catch basins throughout the landscape, with grates suited to lawn, planter, or concrete
- Schedule 40 PVC irrigation pipe, designed to about 80% of available capacity
- Zones separated by sun, shade, and plant needs; 2-year warranty on parts and materials
See all of our construction standards on our How We Build page.
Drainage and Irrigation Work
See how we build retaining walls with drainage on our Retaining Walls page, or pair drip with drought-tolerant landscaping.
What Affects the Cost
Every yard is different, so we price each project after a site visit. Your proposal lays out options so you can choose what matters most.
Drainage & Irrigation FAQs
Will drainage stop all puddling?
Good drainage reduces and manages water, but some puddling during heavy storms is normal. We focus on keeping water away from the house and walls.
Can you fix drainage in an existing yard?
Yes. We can add drains, regrade, or build dry creek beds in existing landscapes.
Drip or sprinklers?
Sprinklers work best for lawns. Drip is more efficient for planting areas and trees. Most yards use both.
How do I keep drains working?
Flush drain lines with a hose once or twice a year, and keep grates clear of leaves and bark, especially before storms.