WWrivel
Guide hub

Yard Drainage Guides for Wet Yards, Runoff & Drainage Routes

Start with the symptom you can observe, then use an interactive screen or field measurement to narrow the route before choosing drainage hardware.

Comparison of surface routing, point collection and infiltration storage
Start by matching the water behavior to a collection pattern. Hardware comes after source, grade and outlet.
Diagnose pooling

Water pooling after rain

Sort a wet-yard symptom by location, persistence, visible flow and outlet availability before buying materials.

Roof runoff route

Downspout drainage

Estimate runoff from one roof branch and calculate end-to-end route grade to a candidate outlet.

Point vs linear collection

Catch basin vs French drain

Compare a surface inlet with a subsurface collector based on how the water actually arrives.

Soil field test

Soil infiltration test

Record repeated water-level drops and elapsed time to calculate an observed field infiltration rate.

Route choice

French drain vs swale

Surface flow, shallow seepage, route width and outlet availability change which option deserves measurement first.

Storage

Dry well sizing

Enter catchment, storm, capture target and void fraction to separate water volume from excavation volume.

Elevation

Yard grading

Measure run and drop, calculate percent grade, then decide whether a gravity path is plausible enough to verify.

Infiltration choice

Rain garden vs dry well

Compare visible surface storage with underground storage by soil, overflow, maintenance and site constraints.

Field workflow

12-step drainage checklist

Trace source, route, outlet, soil, utilities and overflow before digging or asking for quotes.

After installation

Yard drainage troubleshooting

Use outlet flow, storm size and symptom changes to decide what to inspect before replacing a drain.

Field history

Storm observation log

Record rainfall, pooling duration and outlet flow over multiple storms in local browser storage.

Match the symptom to the next check

Water pools after rain and the cause is unclearStart with the pooling diagnostic to separate roof, surface-route and infiltration questions.
Water moves across the surfaceCompare grading/swale options before defaulting to buried collection.
A narrow strip stays wet after stormsScreen a French drain only after confirming an outlet and continuous fall.
There is no practical gravity outletStart with a measured infiltration test; then check groundwater, setbacks and overflow before sizing storage.
The problem is beside the foundationPrioritize roof discharge and verified near-building grade before treating a distant yard symptom.
A drain used to work but is getting worseUse the troubleshooting guide to separate debris, outlet restriction, saturation and storm-capacity clues.
You are relying on memory from one stormUse the storm log to compare pooling duration and outlet behavior over time before changing the system.
Still unsure? Start with the yard planner. Mark the water source, wet area and outlet first; the route problem becomes much clearer.