Water beside the foundation
Downspouts discharge at the wall, beds block runoff or settled soil creates a low strip beside the house.
Houston, TX and nearby cities
French Drains, Catch Basins and Downspout Drainage
Water that remains beside the house, floods a side yard or leaves the backyard unusable needs more than a pipe placed in the ground. PLS Landscaping evaluates where the water begins, whether it moves across the surface or through saturated soil, and where it can discharge responsibly. French drains, catch basins and underground downspout connections are then selected for the specific job each component must perform.
Water rarely stays where the symptom begins
Recurring wet areas need a complete collection and discharge route
A low spot may collect water, but the source could be roof runoff several feet away. A narrow side yard may remain wet because neighboring grades leave no natural surface route. Foundation-side pooling may involve downspouts, compacted soil and beds built too high. The system must address source, collection elevation, conveyance and outlet.
A muddy side yard
Narrow access, shade, roof runoff and little elevation change can leave soil saturated after normal rain.
Backyard low spots
Surface runoff converges in the lawn but cannot continue toward a suitable discharge point.
Erosion at downspouts
Concentrated roof runoff cuts soil, washes mulch and keeps adjacent lawn or planting areas wet.
Three systems, three different jobs
Use each drainage component where its collection method makes sense
A French drain is not automatically the answer to every wet yard. The correct method depends on whether water is moving above the surface, through saturated soil or directly from the roof.
Subsurface interception
French drains
A typical French-drain assembly uses a prepared trench, filter fabric where appropriate, washed drainage aggregate and perforated pipe. It is intended to intercept water moving through saturated soil or aggregate, then convey it toward an approved outlet.
Best considered for: persistently saturated strips, seepage and selected subsurface conditions.
Surface collection
Catch basins
A catch basin places a grated inlet at a planned low point so surface runoff can enter solid conveyance pipe. Grate elevation, basin size, pipe connection, cleanout access and surrounding fine grade determine whether water reaches the inlet.
Best considered for: concentrated lawn runoff, patio edges and defined surface low points.
Roof-runoff conveyance
Underground downspout drainage
Downspouts connect to solid pipe so roof water is carried without intentionally leaking into the surrounding soil. Connections, cleanout or access provisions, pipe slope and a responsible discharge point are planned before burial.
Best considered for: roof runoff discharged beside foundations, beds and narrow side yards.
Drainage around the property
The location changes the constraints, not the need for a complete route
Backyards
Collection locations must work with lawn grade, patios, pool areas, trees, fences and the available route toward discharge.
Side yards
Narrow access and limited fall require careful elevation checks before trenching, pipe selection and restoration.
Foundation-side areas
Downspout control, positive surface grade and bed elevations are evaluated together instead of placing a drain against the wall by default.
A drain cannot work without an achievable outlet.Before installation, the route must account for elevation, pipe slope, utilities, access, restoration and a discharge location that does not simply transfer the problem to another area.
Residential drainage in the field
Source, trench route, solid conveyance and outlet must connect
A dependable drainage route begins where water collects and continues through properly installed pipe to a responsible outlet. These projects show the conditions we evaluate, the construction completed below the surface and the restoration that follows.
Drainage construction process
Evaluate the water path before opening the yard
01
Observe
Review symptoms, roof runoff, low points and adjacent grades.
02
Measure
Check elevations, route feasibility and the proposed outlet.
03
Select
Match French drain, basin or solid pipe to the water source.
04
Excavate
Open the route with utility and irrigation awareness.
05
Install
Set components, connections, slope and access provisions.
06
Test
Review flow where applicable, backfill and restore surfaces.
Complementary Houston construction services
Plan the surfaces and outdoor areas surrounding the drainage work
Drainage construction often affects nearby walkways, patios, concrete edges and landscape areas. Explore complementary services that can help reconnect and complete those parts of the property.
Houston-area drainage construction
Backyard, side-yard and foundation-side drainage in Houston and nearby cities
PLS Landscaping evaluates residential drainage projects throughout Houston and surrounding communities, including Katy, Cypress, Richmond, Sugar Land, Bellaire, West University Place, Spring, Tomball and The Woodlands. Availability depends on scope, access, elevations and location.
Drainage questions
Before selecting a French drain or catch basin
Does every wet yard need a French drain?
No. Catch basins, surface grading, solid pipe, downspout connections, channel drains or a sump system may be more appropriate. The water source, soil behavior, elevations and discharge route determine the method.
What is the difference between a French drain and a catch basin?
A French drain uses perforated pipe and drainage aggregate to intercept water moving through saturated soil. A catch basin uses a grated surface inlet to collect runoff at a planned low point.
Should downspouts connect to perforated French-drain pipe?
Roof runoff is normally conveyed through solid pipe so the collected water is not intentionally released beside the structure. Site-specific connections and routing are confirmed during evaluation.
Can a drain be installed in a narrow side yard?
Often, but access, utilities, existing irrigation, available fall, fence conditions and restoration requirements must be evaluated before the route is confirmed.
Will the lawn be restored after drainage installation?
Restoration is defined in the estimate and can include backfill, grade repair and sod replacement in affected areas. Some settlement can occur after trench work and may require normal follow-up care.
How is drainage-project pricing determined?
Pricing depends on measured route length, excavation, access, soil, pipe and inlet components, outlet construction, utility conflicts, disposal and restoration. An onsite evaluation is needed to define the scope accurately.
Follow the water from source to outlet
Stop guessing which drain belongs in the yard
Show PLS Landscaping where water collects, where downspouts discharge and how long the area remains wet. We will evaluate the site and help define a practical collection, conveyance and restoration scope.
