Case Study – Drainage
A real drainage problem solved in Northwest Houston. Learn how we transformed a flooded property with a cost-effective berm and swale system.
Drainage Problem in Yard
This custom home was built in 2015 with a beautiful design but lacked proper drainage planning. The property sat at the foot of a long slope where rainwater naturally accumulated.
During heavy rains, water shed from one side of the property and accumulated at the house and driveway, which acted like a dam. This created:
- Saturated soil conditions with poor vegetation
- Mossy growth and boggy swamp-like areas
- Ant piles throughout the property
- Muddy pathways created by the owner's dog
Historic Rain Events That Worsened the Problem
The Houston area has experienced several catastrophic rain events in recent years:
Both 2016 and 2017 floods filled the owner's pool with "black mulch, dirt and debris."
Drainage Fix – Reroute Water Flow
The solution was a berm/swale combination system designed to:
- Prevent water from approaching the house
- Route water safely to the backyard
- Use a swale to drain water to lower elevation
- Direct flow to roadside ditches
Implementation Details
- • Two-person crew surveyed property elevations before and after
- • Dirt from swale excavation used to build the berm (cost-efficient)
- • Roots removed; berm compacted and seeded with winter rye
- • Completed in half a day
See the Drainage Solution in Action
Watch Daniel Dean explain the drainage problem and the berm/swale solution implemented.
Drainage Results
The performance test came on December 31, 2020, when the property received nearly 6 inches of rain in 24 hours.
Performance Test Results
Within hours of the heavy rain, the system expelled nearly all water with only a trickle remaining in the swale.
Two days later with occasional sun, most of the property was completely dry. The homeowner's pool remained clean and the yard was usable.
The drainage problem that had plagued this property since 2015 was finally solved.
Ready to Transform Your Property?
Get an estimate for your land clearing, dirt work, or property development project. We serve Houston and surrounding areas.