Site visit and diagnosis
We walk the property, look at slopes, downspouts, soil and where water collects, and ask what you see during storms. Photos or videos from a heavy rain help a lot. Estimates are free and usually scheduled within 1–3 days.
Westchester County, NY
Drainage & Grading in Westchester County
Standing water, soggy lawns and runoff toward the house usually come down to grade and soil. We find where the water is going and give it a better path.
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Drainage problems are common across Westchester for simple reasons. Clay pockets and rocky glacial soil absorb water slowly, many homes sit on slopes where runoff from uphill properties crosses the yard, and older lots were often graded decades ago, before additions, patios and driveways changed how water moves. Add heavy summer storms and the spring thaw, and you get puddles that last for days, washed-out mulch, mosquito-prone low spots and water pooling against the foundation. The fix starts with seeing where water actually goes, which is why we like to look at a property after a good rain when possible.
Solutions range from simple to involved. Sometimes re-sloping soil so it falls away from the house and extending downspouts solves most of the problem. Low areas in the lawn can be filled, regraded and reseeded. Where water needs to be collected and moved, we install French drains, catch basins with buried pipe, and dry creek beds that carry runoff while looking like part of the garden. We also correct grading around new patios and walls, and level yards for lawns and play areas. Because water does not stop at property lines, we plan outlets carefully and tell you if a problem needs an engineer or town review.
How it works
Drainage plan
We explain the cause and propose a fix, from regrading to French drains or catch basins, with a clear outlet for the water. If the issue involves neighbors or town drainage, or needs engineering, we tell you up front.
Installation
Our crew excavates, sets pipe and stone at the right pitch, regrades soil, and restores the surface with seed, sod, mulch or stone. Lawn and beds outside the work area are protected.
Check after the next storm
Drainage is proven by rain. We check in after the next real storm, and if water is not moving the way it should, we come back and fix it.
When to schedule
Drainage and grading work can be done whenever the ground is not frozen, generally from early spring through late fall. The best time to diagnose a problem is during or right after heavy rain or the spring thaw, so take photos when you see water collecting. Saturated clay is hard to work and compact, so after long rainy spells we may wait for the soil to dry out a bit before regrading. Summer and early fall are often ideal for installation, and fixing drainage before you build a patio or plant new beds saves redoing work later.
Recent work by our crews
Photos from Roman Design & Landscaping projects in Westchester County.
Common questions
What is a French drain, and do I need one?
A French drain is a trench lined with fabric and filled with gravel around a perforated pipe. It collects water underground and carries it to a safe outlet. It works well for areas that stay soggy because of groundwater or runoff from uphill. If your problem is mainly roof water or poor surface slope, regrading and downspout work may be enough on their own.
Water collects against my foundation. Can you help?
Yes, on the outside of the house. The most common causes are soil sloping toward the foundation, downspouts dumping water right at the corner, and patios or walks pitched the wrong way. We regrade, extend or bury downspout lines and correct hardscape pitch. If water is already coming through basement walls, we also suggest talking to a waterproofing specialist about the inside.
Can you fix my soggy lawn?
Often, yes. Soggy lawns usually come from compacted clay, a low spot with nowhere for water to go, or runoff from higher ground. Depending on the cause, the fix might be aeration and topdressing, filling and regrading the low area, a French drain or a catch basin. We figure out the cause first, so the fix actually addresses the problem.
Where does the drained water go?
It has to go somewhere safe: a lower part of your property, a dry well, a rain garden or another acceptable outlet. We do not simply move the problem onto your neighbor's yard. Some towns have rules about sending water to the street or storm system, so we check what applies to your property and design the outlet around it.
Will regrading damage my lawn and trees?
Regrading disturbs the area being worked, and we restore it afterward with seed or sod. Around mature trees we are careful, because adding or removing soil over the root zone can harm them. We adjust the plan to protect roots, sometimes routing drainage around a tree instead of through its roots. You will know what will be disturbed before work starts.
Get a free drainage & grading estimate
Call, text or WhatsApp — the owner walks the property with you and you get a written estimate. Most visits are scheduled within 1–3 days.
Related services
Towns we serve
Central Westchester: Ardsley, Greenburgh, Harrison, Mount Pleasant, Scarsdale, White Plains
Southern Westchester: Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Pelham, Tuckahoe, Yonkers
Sound Shore: Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, Port Chester, Rye
Hudson Rivertowns: Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown
Northern Westchester: Armonk, Chappaqua, Cortlandt, Croton-on-Hudson, Mount Kisco, Ossining, Peekskill