- 804-661-3630
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- Monday – Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Every drainage project follows the same four steps. We find out where the water comes from, choose the right fix for your yard, and make sure the water ends up somewhere safe.
We walk the property with you and look at where water collects after rain. We also check slope, soil, gutters and downspouts, and where runoff enters from neighboring lots.
We choose the right fix or combination of fixes, such as regrading, a French drain, downspout lines or a rain garden. We also plan an outlet that won't send water onto a neighbor's property.
We dig, grade and install with filter fabric, washed gravel and pipe set at a steady fall. The goal is a system that keeps working in Richmond's clay soil.
We run water through the system to confirm it flows to the outlet. Then we backfill and restore the lawn, beds or gravel we disturbed.
Drainage trouble often stays hidden until a heavy summer storm makes it obvious. Watch for these signs:
If you see more than one of these, it’s worth having someone look before the damage reaches your foundation or hardscape.
Much of the Richmond area sits on dense clay subsoil that takes in water slowly. When a storm drops a lot of rain at once, the ground can’t absorb it fast enough. The extra water runs to the lowest point on the property.
On many lots in Henrico, Mechanicsville and the East End, that low point is next to the house, a patio or a shared property line. Older yards that have settled, new construction with poor finish grading, and roof water dumped right at the foundation all make it worse. The fix depends on which of these is causing the water, so we always start with a site visit.
There’s no single fix for every wet yard. Depending on what we find, we may recommend:
Many Richmond properties need two or more of these working together.
We give a free estimate after seeing your property, because the price depends on the site. The main factors are:
[add: typical price range for common drainage projects, if Altizer wants to share one]
Can I just extend my downspouts? Sometimes that’s enough. If water still collects after the downspout fix, the cause is usually grading or groundwater.
Where does the water go? Water goes to a safe outlet, such as a slope, a dry well or another approved discharge point. We plan the outlet so it never sends water onto a neighbor’s lot.
How long does a drainage project take? [add: typical timeline for a residential drainage job]
Do I need a permit? [add: when permits apply in Richmond, Henrico and Hanover, and whether Altizer handles them]
Will it fix my wet crawl space? Moving surface water and roof water away from the house often helps a lot. We’ll tell you honestly if the problem needs a waterproofing specialist.
Much of the Richmond area sits on clay subsoil that drains slowly once it is wet. After a summer thunderstorm or a week of steady winter rain, water that should soak in sits on the surface instead. Many older lots also slope toward the house rather than away from it. Newer builds can have compacted fill around the foundation that sheds water straight at the walls. Downspouts that empty at the corner of the house make both problems worse.
We start by finding where the water comes from and where it can safely leave the lot. That tells us whether the answer is moving the water somewhere else or giving it a place to soak in. We also plan the outlet so the water leaves your yard without being pushed onto a neighbor’s property.
Once the drainage work is done, we repair the disturbed lawn with seed or sod installation so the yard does not stay torn up.
We take on drainage jobs across the city of Richmond, including the East End, and in nearby towns such as Henrico, Mechanicsville, Glen Allen and Short Pump. The full list is on our service areas page.
If you want to see the other work we do in the city, our Richmond landscaping page covers lawn care, hardscaping and seasonal upkeep. You can also browse all of our landscaping services in one place.
Not sure the problem is serious enough to call about? Our guide to the signs your yard needs better drainage walks through what to look for after a storm. If you have one wet patch rather than a whole soggy yard, read how to fix a low spot in your yard. Our article on why proper slope matters explains how grading affects where water goes.
When you are ready, ask for a free estimate. We will walk the yard with you and explain what we would do and why.
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