Drainage & Erosion Control

Poor drainage is one of the most common and destructive problems homeowners face. When water does not drain properly from your property, it can cause significant damage to your foundation, basement, landscaping, and lawn. Standing water creates muddy messes, kills grass and plants, attracts mosquitoes, and can even undermine driveways, patios, and other hardscaping. Over time, water that pools near your foundation can seep into your basement, crack your foundation walls, and cause costly structural damage that only gets worse if left unaddressed.

Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles make drainage problems especially problematic. Water that collects in the soil around your foundation expands when it freezes, putting enormous pressure on foundation walls and causing cracks. Snow melt in spring creates large volumes of water that need somewhere to go. If your property lacks proper drainage, this water has nowhere to flow except into your basement or against your foundation. Many homeowners do not realize they have a drainage problem until they experience basement flooding or notice foundation cracks, by which time considerable damage may already be done.

Erosion is another consequence of poor drainage. When water runs across your property without being managed, it picks up soil and carries it away. This creates channels and gullies in your lawn, washes away mulch from garden beds, exposes tree roots, and damages landscape features. Slopes are especially vulnerable to erosion. A single heavy rainstorm can wash away soil that took nature centuries to create, leaving behind an unsightly mess that requires expensive repairs to fix.

We design and install drainage systems tailored to your property's specific needs. Every yard is different, with unique topography, soil type, and water flow patterns. We begin by carefully evaluating your property to identify where water is coming from, where it is collecting, and where it needs to go. This assessment allows us to design a drainage solution that addresses the root causes of your water problems rather than just treating symptoms.

Drainage Systems We Install

• French drains to collect and redirect subsurface water
• Surface drains and catch basins for standing water areas
• Channel drains for driveways, patios, and walkways
• Downspout extensions to move roof water away from foundations
• Dry creek beds for managing surface water naturally
• Sump pump systems for basement water removal
• Grading and resloping to direct water flow away from structures
• Rain gardens to absorb and filter stormwater runoff

French drains are one of our most commonly installed drainage solutions. A French drain consists of a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe at the bottom that collects groundwater and directs it away from problem areas. They work exceptionally well for protecting foundations, drying out persistently wet areas, and intercepting water before it reaches your home. We install French drains to professional standards using the right materials and proper slope to ensure they continue working effectively for decades.

Surface drainage solutions handle water that runs across your property rather than soaking in. Catch basins collect water from low spots and direct it to underground pipes. Channel drains intercept water flowing across driveways or patios before it can reach your garage or foundation. We connect these systems to appropriate discharge points, ensuring water is moved away from your property rather than just relocated to a different problem area. All our installations are done with attention to aesthetics, using solutions that blend with your landscape rather than standing out as eyesores.

Controlling erosion requires understanding how water moves across your property and implementing measures that slow it down, spread it out, and reduce its ability to carry away soil. On slopes, we use a combination of techniques to stabilize soil and prevent washouts. Retaining walls hold soil in place while creating attractive terraced areas. Proper grading creates gentle slopes rather than steep ones where water gains destructive speed. And strategic plantings with deep-rooted groundcovers and shrubs hold soil in place naturally.

Erosion control fabric and erosion control blankets provide immediate protection for newly graded or planted slopes. These materials hold soil in place while vegetation establishes. For severe erosion problems, we may recommend riprap (large stones) placed along channels to absorb water energy and prevent further soil loss. In some cases, a dry creek bed filled with decorative stone can manage drainage while adding an attractive natural feature to your landscape. These solutions not only work well functionally but can actually enhance the appearance of your property.

Vegetation is nature's best erosion control. Deep-rooted plants hold soil in place with their root systems while their leaves slow down and absorb rainfall. We select plants appropriate for your site conditions and erosion control needs. Native grasses, groundcovers, and shrubs work especially well because they are adapted to Minnesota's climate and require minimal maintenance once established. When combined with hardscaping elements like retaining walls and strategically placed boulders, plant-based erosion control creates landscapes that are both beautiful and functional.

Many homeowners are surprised to learn that erosion and drainage problems often have simple, cost-effective solutions. Sometimes just adding a few strategically placed drains or regrading a small area makes a dramatic difference. Other times, more comprehensive work is needed. We provide honest assessments and recommendations scaled to your specific situation and budget. Our goal is to solve your water problems permanently with solutions that protect your property investment while enhancing your landscape.