Yard Drainage Solutions in Wilmington & New Castle County
Standing water in a Delaware yard is almost always fixable, and it usually comes down to one of three causes: roof water dumping next to the house, low spots with nowhere to drain, or compacted clay soil that won't absorb. Union Park Landscaping diagnoses which one you have and installs the right fix — French drains, buried downspouts, regrading, catch basins, or dry creek beds.
Left alone, drainage problems don't stay in the yard. They kill grass, breed mosquitoes, rot fences, and work their way into basements. Fixing the yard is far cheaper than fixing a foundation.
Signs your yard has a drainage problem
- Puddles that sit for more than a day after rain
- A soggy, mossy strip of lawn that never dries out
- Mulch washing out of beds during storms
- Water stains or dampness in the basement after heavy rain
- Downspouts dumping directly at the foundation
How we work
- Diagnose. We walk the property (ideally after rain), trace where water comes from and where it should go, and identify the actual cause — not just the symptom.
- Design the fix. You get a written plan: what we'll install, where the water will end up, and what it costs. No oversized systems you don't need.
- Install & restore. We trench, pipe, and grade with proper slope, then restore the surface with soil and seed or sod — you shouldn't see the fix, just the results.
Built for Delaware conditions
Much of New Castle County sits on dense clay that absorbs water slowly, and many Wilmington and Newark neighborhoods were graded decades ago with settling since. That combination makes French drains and downspout management the highest-impact fixes here. We size pipe and stone for real Delaware storm volumes, not minimums.
What it costs
Downspout burials often run $800–$2,500; French drain systems typically $2,500–$8,000 depending on length and outlet. Drainage assessments are free.
Drainage questions, answered
How do I fix standing water in my yard?
First identify the source: roof water, surface runoff, or poor absorption. Buried downspouts fix roof water, regrading and swales fix runoff paths, and French drains fix chronically wet zones. Most Delaware yards need a combination, which is why we start with a free on-site assessment.
How much does a French drain cost in Delaware?
Most residential French drains in New Castle County cost $2,500–$8,000 installed, driven by trench length, depth, and where the water can outlet. Simple downspout burials start well under that.
Will a French drain protect my basement?
An exterior yard drain dramatically reduces the water reaching your foundation, which resolves many damp-basement problems. Severe cases may also need interior waterproofing — we'll tell you honestly which situation you have.
Do drainage fixes ruin the lawn?
Temporarily, along the trench line — then we restore it with topsoil and seed or sod. Within a season you shouldn't be able to find the trench.
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Ready to talk drainage?
Call for a free, no-pressure estimate. Most quotes within 24 hours. Serving all of New Castle County, Delaware.