407-988-0804
Orlando French Drain crew at work

Orlando French Drain

  • Thousands of satisfied customers
  • Local and family owned
  • 15+ years in business
  • Licensed and insured
  • Always FREE Quotes
407-988-0804

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Licensed Yard Grading & Drainage Correction Orlando FL

Dealing with standing water, soggy spots, or erosion near your foundation? Orlando’s heavy rains, sandy soils, and hurricane season can overwhelm yards fast. Our team designs and builds reliable grading and drainage systems that move water away from your home, protect your slab, and keep your lawn usable year‑round.

With 15+ years in Central Florida, we use laser leveling, code‑compliant swales, and proven solutions like French drains, channel drains, and downspout tie‑ins. We’re insured, OSHA‑trained, and NDS‑certified for complex residential projects. You’ll get a clean finish with new topsoil and sod, plus clear warranties. Contact us for a free on‑site assessment and quote today.

Why Professional Yard Grading & Drainage Delivers Lasting Results

You want water gone - for good. DIY fixes rarely solve the root causes of pooling, flooding, or erosion. Our professional yard grading and drainage correction combines proper slopes, engineered water routes, and durable materials to protect your foundation, lawn, and hardscapes. We design for Orlando’s intense downpours and sandy soils, so your yard drains predictably and stays usable.

Safety & Risk Elimination

Water against a slab, crawl space, or stem wall can lead to settlement, termites, and mold. We set consistent 2% slope for the first 5–10 feet away from your home and establish code‑appropriate swales. By managing roof runoff with buried downspout extensions and catch basins, you reduce slips, electrical hazards, and foundation risk.

We follow OSHA trenching safety and Sunshine 811 utility locate before digging. That protects you, your property, and underground utilities. Example: a Baldwin Park client had water lapping at the threshold after summer storms; regrading plus a 12x12 NDS basin stopped interior seepage immediately.

Professional Results & Quality

Our crews use a laser level/transit, mini excavator, skid steer, and plate compactor to create true grade - not just “eyeballed” slopes. We install drains with proper daylight, washed #57 stone, geotextile filter fabric, and perforated SDR‑35 or corrugated HDPE depending on load and soil. NDS catch basins, channel drain kits, and pop‑up emitters integrate cleanly into your landscape.

You get a yard that sheds water predictably, with sod restoration (St. Augustine or Bahia) for a finished look. We build to Orange County stormwater criteria so systems perform under real Florida rain events.

Time & Stress Savings

We diagnose the true cause - grade, soil percolation, roof runoff, or clogged lines - then fix it efficiently. Most projects are completed in 1–3 days, including cleanup. There’s no learning curve, no hidden trips to the store, and no second attempts after heavy rain exposes a DIY miss.

You’ll have one point of contact, a clear schedule, and steady updates. We handle permits when required, HOA packages, and post‑project walkthroughs so you can get back to enjoying your yard.

Cost‑Effective Solution

Poor drainage can damage flooring, fencing, and landscaping - costing far more than doing it right once. Our designs prevent backflow to patios and garages, protect irrigation, and reduce erosion that washes out mulch or pavers.

We value‑engineer systems using the right materials in the right places: Schedule 40 for high‑impact sections, SDR‑35 for mainlines, and riprap where velocities are higher. By preventing repeat water damage, you save money season after season.

Peace of Mind & Warranty

We’re fully insured with General Liability and Workers’ Comp, and trained in NPDES/MS4 compliance and erosion control BMPs. You’ll receive a written workmanship warranty and clear maintenance guidance - like periodic cleanouts and pre‑storm checks.

If anything isn’t performing as designed, we stand behind our work. Thousands of Florida homeowners trust us to keep their yards dry through afternoon downpours and hurricane season.

Get a Free Drainage Assessment Today

Same‑week site visits in Greater Orlando. We’ll diagnose the cause, explain options, and provide a written estimate on the spot.

How Our Yard Grading & Drainage Process Works

We make it simple. From inspection to final sod, our process is transparent, safe, and built around your schedule.

  1. On‑Site Evaluation – We use a laser level to map elevations, inspect runoff paths, and check existing drains and gutter outlets.
  2. Plan & Itemized Quote – You’ll see slopes, drain locations, and materials (pipe type, basins, rock) with a fixed price.
  3. Permits & Utility Locate – We manage any required City of Orlando/County permits and call Sunshine 811 before excavation.
  4. Grading & Installation – We regrade, install drains, tie in downspouts, and daylight lines using best‑practice methods.
  5. Restoration & Walkthrough – We compact, add topsoil, reset sod, and review maintenance so your yard stays dry.

It Only Takes a Minute to Start

Request your no‑obligation inspection. We’ll outline the simplest fix first and let you choose the best fit.

Why Choose Us for Yard Grading & Drainage in Orlando

At Orlando French Drain, we specialize in yard grading and drainage correction for Central Florida homes. Our experienced team blends precise grading with proven drainage systems to solve standing water and protect foundations. With thousands of projects completed across Orlando neighborhoods, we bring the right certifications, equipment, and local know‑how to every job - and we back it with clear warranties and responsive service.

Certified Expertise & Qualifications

Your project is handled by trained professionals, not general laborers. Our team holds NDS Drainage Pro Certification, OSHA 10/30 safety training, and FDEP Stormwater/Erosion Inspector credentials. For permeable hardscapes and driveway solutions, we staff ICPI‑certified installers to ensure proper base construction and infiltration.

We design swales to local storm criteria and size rain gardens/bioswales appropriately for Central Florida soils. That means your system is engineered for performance - not guesswork.

Licensing, Insurance & Safety Practices

We operate with proper licensing and maintain General Liability and Workers’ Comp. Before digging, we schedule Sunshine 811 utility locates and follow OSHA trenching and excavation standards (29 CFR 1926 Subpart P). Where required, we secure City of Orlando Engineering/Mass Grading permits, Right‑of‑Way permits, and comply with FEMA floodplain rules.

You get full protection, documented processes, and jobsite safety from start to finish.

Equipment, Materials & Technology

We use a laser level/transit, grade stakes, mini excavator, skid steer, trencher, plate compactor, and drain cameras when needed. Materials are matched to conditions: perforated SDR‑35 PVC or corrugated HDPE with washed stone and geotextile filter fabric, NDS catch basins and grates, pop‑up emitters, sump basins and pumps, and riprap for high‑flow areas.

Our attention to daylighting, cleanouts, and root‑resistant couplings keeps systems serviceable for the long term.

Local Knowledge & Proven Results

From Lake Nona and Winter Park to Dr. Phillips and MetroWest, we understand neighborhood grades, soil behavior, and HOA expectations. Afternoon storms, tropical systems, and high water tables are part of our design approach. We’ve solved backyard flooding, patio puddling, and side‑yard bottlenecks on lots from 0.15 to 1+ acres.

Example: In 32828, we regraded a side yard, added a 9x9 basin with a 4‑in SDR‑35 line, and installed 70 ft of French drain - eliminating 3‑inch puddles after a 2‑inch rainfall.

Customer‑First Policies & Guarantees

You’ll receive an itemized proposal, clear timeline, and diligent cleanup. We provide workmanship warranties, optional maintenance plans (annual hydro‑jetting/cleanouts), and hurricane‑readiness inspections each summer.

If adjustments are needed after the first major storm, we respond quickly and make it right. That’s why homeowners across Orlando refer us to neighbors and HOAs.

Experience You Can Trust

Join thousands of local homeowners who solved drainage problems with us. Request your free estimate now.

Professional Yard Grading & Drainage Correction Backed by Local Experience

We’ve delivered successful yard grading and drainage projects across the Greater Orlando & The Central Florida Region since 2010. Our team combines precise regrading, French drains, swales, and hardscape drainage to stop pooling and protect structures. Whether you need whole‑yard regrading or a targeted fix near a patio, we tailor solutions that meet code and perform under heavy rain. Our Yard Grading & Drainage Correction Orlando FL expertise ensures predictable results.

Types of Projects We Handle

Residential: whole‑yard regrading, foundation grading correction, downspout burial with catch basins, swale creation, and French drains along fence lines. We also retrofit channel drains at driveways and patios to eliminate puddles.

Commercial/HOA: parking area drainage upgrades, retaining wall drainage with weeps, and community drain maintenance. We assist with documentation for HOA approvals and coordinate with property managers for minimal disruption.

Our Proven Methods & Standards

We establish 2% slope for the first 5–10 ft from your home, daylight drains, and backfill with washed rock wrapped in geotextile to prevent soil intrusion. We integrate roof runoff via gutter tie‑ins and size swales for local design storms.

Common materials: perforated SDR‑35 PVC, Schedule 40 where necessary, corrugated HDPE for flexible runs, #57 drain rock, NDS 9x9 or 12x12 basins, and pop‑up emitters. For infiltration, we install dry wells and permeable paver systems with proper open‑graded base.

Complex Situations We’ve Mastered

Tight side yards, tree root conflicts, and high water tables are common in Orlando. We route lines with cleanouts, use root‑resistant couplings, and add sump pumps with discharge lines where gravity fall isn’t enough.

In flood‑prone zones or slopes with erosion, we stabilize with riprap, adjust grade, and add check structures. In 32819, a patio channel drain and swale regrade stopped sheet flow into a garage during summer storms.

Results You Can Expect

Most regrading and drainage installations finish in 1–3 days depending on scope. After the next heavy rain, you should see clear flow paths, no standing water, and a protected foundation.

We restore with topsoil and matching sod, then provide a maintenance checklist - like grate cleaning and seasonal inspections - to keep systems performing through hurricane season.

See What’s Possible for Your Property

Ask us for recent project examples near your neighborhood - we’ll share similar solutions and outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs I need yard grading or drainage correction?
Persistent puddles 24–48 hours after rain, mulch washouts, grass die‑off, water at the slab or garage, mildew on the foundation, and soggy side yards are red flags. In Orlando, afternoon storms quickly reveal low spots and blocked outlets. If water flows toward your home instead of away, or you notice soil erosion along fences and patios, it’s time for a professional drainage evaluation.
What is the proper slope away from a home?
We aim for a minimum 2% slope for the first 5–10 feet away from the foundation - about 1/4 inch per foot. That sheds water efficiently without causing erosion. For longer runs or tight lots in Orlando, we combine regrading with swales or subsurface drains to maintain consistent fall and prevent water from backing toward the structure.
French drain vs. swale - what’s better for my yard?
Swales move water on the surface and are excellent where you have space and a destination. French drains capture water below the surface and work well in side yards, along fences, or where grades are constrained. Many Orlando homes benefit from both: a regraded swale for heavy flows plus a French drain to intercept seepage and protect landscaping.
Can you tie my gutter downspouts into underground drains?
Yes. We commonly bury downspout extensions using 4‑inch SDR‑35 or Schedule 40 PVC, add cleanouts for maintenance, and discharge to a pop‑up emitter or approved daylight point. Tying roof runoff into your drainage system in Orlando keeps water off patios, walkways, and foundations while reducing erosion and puddling.
How much does yard regrading or drainage installation cost in Orlando?
Costs vary by scope and access. Typical yard regrading ranges $1,800–$6,500. French drain installation often runs $30–$55 per linear foot. Channel drains at driveways/patios average $1,200–$3,500. Complex conditions - roots, utilities, pumps, or permits - can increase pricing. We provide itemized, fixed quotes after a site visit so you know exactly what’s included.
Do I need a permit to regrade my yard in Orlando?
Minor grading and drainage corrections usually proceed without a building permit. Larger earthwork, work in the Right‑of‑Way, or projects in floodplains can require City of Orlando Engineering/Mass Grading or Orange County approvals. We handle Sunshine 811 locates and advise when permits or HOA approvals are needed to keep your project compliant.
How long does a typical drainage project take?
Most residential projects take 1–3 days on site, depending on trench length, access, and restoration. Add time if permits or HOA reviews are required. We schedule Sunshine 811 before excavation and restore with topsoil and sod so your Orlando yard looks finished when we leave.
What materials do you use for French drains?
We install perforated SDR‑35 or corrugated HDPE pipe set in washed #57 stone, wrapped in geotextile filter fabric to prevent soil intrusion. Systems include cleanouts for serviceability and discharge to an approved daylight point. NDS catch basins and grates are added as needed to capture surface water and protect the system.
Are rain gardens or permeable pavers effective in Central Florida?
Yes. Properly designed rain gardens and bioswales work well in our sandy soils, especially when amended for plant health. Permeable pavers with an open‑graded base reduce driveway and patio puddling without adding long drain runs. We size these solutions to local rainfall and direct overflow safely to swales or daylight.

Still Have Questions?

We’re here to help. Tell us about your yard, and we’ll recommend the best fix - fast, friendly, and pressure‑free.