Who to Call for Drainage Problems in Your Yard (Memphis Homeowner Guide)

You've got standing water in your yard that won't go away. You Google for help and hit a wall — plumber? Landscaper? Waterproofing company? The trades overlap enough to be genuinely confusing. Here's a straight answer.

The Short Answer: Call a Drainage Contractor

Yard drainage problems — standing water, soggy lawn, water pooling against your foundation — are the specific territory of a drainage contractor, also called a yard drainage specialist. Not a general plumber (who handles indoor pipes), not a landscaper (who handles plants and grading, but not engineered drainage systems), and not a waterproofing company (who handles water that's already inside your home).

A drainage contractor assesses how water moves across and through your property, identifies why it's accumulating where it shouldn't, and installs systems — French drains, catch basins, downspout extensions, regrading — that redirect it permanently.

When the Problem Might Be Something Else

Before you call anyone, a quick check helps confirm you actually need a drainage contractor versus another trade:

• Water inside the basement after rain: Could be a drainage problem outside or a crack/seal failure inside. Start with a drainage contractor — they can assess both the exterior grading and whether interior waterproofing is warranted.
• Water backing up through a floor drain or toilet during rain: That's a plumbing or sewer issue. Call a plumber first.
• Gutters overflowing: Could be a gutter cleaning/repair job, but if water is pooling at the foundation after gutter work, a drainage contractor should check the downspout discharge path.
• Lawn is consistently soggy in one spot: Classic drainage contractor territory — likely a low point, clay soil compaction, or failed previous drainage attempt.

What a Drainage Assessment Actually Involves

A proper yard drainage assessment isn't a quick walk-around. A qualified contractor will:

1. Map the slope and grade of your property to understand how water flows
2. Identify the source — whether it's surface runoff, groundwater seeping up, downspout discharge, or a neighbor's yard contributing water
3. Check the soil — in Memphis, nearly all residential lots have dense Shelby clay, which holds water rather than draining it
4. Inspect any existing drainage infrastructure (catch basins, downspout connections, old French drains) that may have failed
5. Propose a specific solution with a clear outlet — where the water will actually go once it's collected

If a contractor shows up, looks at your yard for five minutes, and immediately proposes a solution without asking about your soil, your slope, or where the water will discharge — that's a red flag.

Why Memphis Drainage Is Different

Memphis sits on some of the heaviest clay soil in the country. Shelby County clay absorbs water slowly and holds it for days after rain. A French drain system designed for sandy Georgia soil won't perform the same way here — the pipe sizing, gravel selection, slope requirements, and outlet placement all need to account for clay behavior.

Our assessments are informed by guidance from Dr. Farhad Jazaei, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Memphis and an NSF CAREER Award recipient whose research focuses on water resources and drainage in clay-heavy soils. That's not something you'll find at most contractors.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

When you call a drainage contractor, these questions separate professionals from guessers:

• "Where will the water discharge?" Every drainage system needs a legal, functional outlet. If they can't answer this specifically, keep looking.
• "What permits are required?" In Memphis and Shelby County, drainage work often requires permits. A contractor who skips permits creates future problems for you when you sell.
• "Do you warranty your work?" Drainage systems should carry at least a 1-year warranty on installation. Materials warranties from manufacturers are separate.
• "Have you worked with Memphis clay soil specifically?" General drainage experience doesn't automatically transfer — the clay behavior here is distinct.

What It Costs to Fix Yard Drainage in Memphis

Typical ranges for the most common solutions:

• French drain installation: $1,500–$5,000 depending on length and depth
• Catch basin installation: $500–$1,500 per basin
• Downspout drainage extension: $300–$800 per downspout
• Landscape regrading: $1,000–$4,000 depending on area

Most homeowners need a combination — a single catch basin usually isn't enough if the underlying grade is wrong. Get a full assessment before agreeing to any single fix.

If You're in Memphis or Shelby County

Shelby Yard specializes specifically in yard drainage for Memphis-area homes. We offer free on-site assessments — no obligation, no pressure — and every quote includes the full scope of work with a clear outlet plan. Our work is backed by a 1-year warranty and our installations account for the specific challenges of Memphis clay.

Call us at 901-864-3411 or use the chat widget to describe your situation. If you can tell us where the water is coming from and where it's ending up, we can usually give you a ballpark before the site visit.