Grading and swales
Reshaping surface contours can create positive drainage away from the home and direct runoff toward a safe outlet without relying on buried pipe alone.
French drains, grading & runoff · Greater Burlington
Exterior drainage and grading: moving water away from the house
Exterior drainage problems start when roof runoff, short downspouts, settled soil, low areas, slopes and hard surfaces concentrate water beside a foundation. Exterior drainage work should begin with the route water follows across the property and where it can be discharged safely.
No phone call needed.
What this service includes
Exterior water management may involve gutters, downspout extensions, regrading, swales, catch basins, French drains, window-well drainage or excavation at the foundation. The design needs a reliable outlet, suitable slope, safe separation from utilities and buildings, and a plan for winter and maintenance.
Common reasons homeowners call
Problems this service can fix
Ponding beside the foundation after storms
Downspouts that end at the wall or discharge uphill
Erosion channels, washed mulch or soil against siding
Water entering a window well, bulkhead or low doorway
A basement leak concentrated on the uphill or roof-drainage side
A driveway, patio or walk pitching toward the home
A wet yard area with no clear outlet
A sump discharge that recirculates toward the foundation
Repairs and systems
Repairs and systems
French and curtain drains
A stone-and-pipe drain may intercept subsurface or shallow flowing water, and location, depth, filter fabric, soil, slope and outlet determine whether it works.
Downspout drainage
Extensions or buried solid pipe can move roof water farther away, and connections need cleanouts, adequate size and a discharge that will not freeze or erode.
Window-well drainage
Well height, covers, drain connection, soil slope and nearby runoff are evaluated together when water rises at a basement window.
Catch basins and channel drains
Surface inlets can collect water at hardscapes, stairs, driveways or concentrated low spots when there is a dependable outlet.
Foundation excavation
When the wall or footing drainage needs direct access, excavation may include repair, membranes, drainage layers and new footing-level drainage.
Matching the option to the condition
Matching exterior water to the right fix
Water outside the foundation arrives by different routes. The fix that works for one route does little for another.
| Water source | Fix that usually fits | What to confirm first |
|---|---|---|
| Ground sloping toward the house | Grading and swales | Room to slope away from the wall |
| Saturated soil beside the foundation | French and curtain drains | A real outlet for the water |
| Roof water dumped at the wall | Downspout drainage | Where the water will end up |
| Water pooling at a window well | Window-well drainage | The connection to a drain |
| Concentrated flow across a yard or drive | Catch basins and channel drains | Capacity of the outlet |
- 01
Roof areas, gutters, downspout locations and discharge
- 02
Slope beside the foundation and visible low points
- 03
Water patterns during or immediately after rain
- 04
Window wells, bulkheads, walks, patios and driveway pitch
- 05
Existing buried drains and whether their outlets can be located
- 06
Utilities, property limits, septic areas and neighboring drainage
- 07
Where collected water can discharge without creating another problem
Your estimate
What is included in the plan
An outlet is essential
A buried pipe without enough fall or a clear outlet can become a storage tube, and the design should identify where the water goes and how the line can be serviced.
Solid vs. perforated pipe
Solid pipe conveys collected roof or surface water; perforated pipe collects subsurface water, and using the wrong type or placing it incorrectly can spread water instead of removing it.
Frozen conditions
Shallow outlets, low spots and exposed ends can freeze, and northern Vermont drainage needs suitable slope, termination and a realistic winter-operability plan.
Interior coordination
Exterior correction may reduce water but not restore a failed footing drain or stop every below-grade path, and the inspection should explain whether interior and exterior work complement each other.
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Common questions
Exterior Drainage & Grading FAQs
How far should downspouts discharge from the house?
There is no single distance that fits every lot. The important result is positive drainage to a stable outlet without recirculation toward the foundation. Roof area, slope, soil, hard surfaces, neighboring property and winter conditions affect the design.
Will a French drain fix my wet basement?
It can help when placed to intercept the actual water path and connected to a reliable outlet. It will not repair a plumbing leak, blocked footing drain, open foundation crack or interior humidity problem. The word “French drain” describes a method, not proof that it fits the cause.
Can I solve drainage by adding topsoil against the house?
Minor regrading may help, but soil must not bury siding, vents, windows or required clearances, and it still needs a place to send water. Adding soil without checking those details can create moisture or pest problems.
Do buried downspouts and French drains use the same pipe?
Usually they perform different jobs. Downspout runs commonly use solid pipe to convey roof water, while subsurface drains use perforated pipe to collect water. A designer may combine systems at a suitable point, but direct connections need careful sizing and backflow consideration.