How to Spot Drainage Problems in Your Yard—Before They Get Expensive

Most homeowners don’t think much about yard drainage—until something goes wrong. Water pooling after rain, soggy soil, or damage to your home’s foundation can quickly turn into costly repairs. The good news? Many drainage issues show early warning signs if you know where to look.

At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we’ve helped countless Western Chicago homeowners identify and solve drainage problems before they turn serious. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most common signs of poor drainage—and explain how professional landscaping can fix them.

1. Pooling Water After Rain

If water lingers in low spots for hours—or even days—after a storm, it’s a red flag. Pooling water can drown plants, promote mold and mildew, and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Common causes:

• Improper grading (your yard slopes toward your house, not away)

• Compacted soil that doesn’t allow water to absorb

• Poorly placed downspouts or gutters

What to do:Don’t ignore puddles. A landscape grading correction or installation of a French drain might be needed.

2. Soggy Soil or Mushy Grass

Do parts of your lawn feel squishy underfoot, even when it hasn’t rained recently? Constantly soggy soil can stress turf roots, attract pests, and lead to fungal issues.

What it means:Your soil might have drainage issues below the surface. It could be clay-heavy, compacted, or saturated due to poor water flow.

Professional fix:Aerating the lawn, adding soil amendments, or installing underground drainage pipes can restore balance.

3. Water Stains or Cracks in Foundation

If you notice water stains along the foundation, mildew on your siding, or cracks forming, drainage may be causing serious structural stress. Water that pools near your home’s foundation can erode the soil and eventually leak into basements or crawl spaces.

Look out for:

• Overflowing gutters

• Downspouts draining too close to your home

• Flower beds that trap water against the foundation

Skyline solution:We can redirect water safely away from your home with grading, swales, or dry creek beds—beautiful and functional!

4. Erosion in Garden Beds or Slopes

Have you noticed exposed roots, displaced mulch, or bare spots where grass won’t grow? That’s often a result of water flowing too fast or unpredictably through your yard.

Why it matters:Erosion damages plantings and can destabilize retaining walls, patios, and walkways.

How we help:Our team can reshape your yard’s contours and install erosion-control features like terraces, boulders, or native ground cover.

5. Mold, Mildew, or Basement Musty Smells

Indoor signs matter, too. If your basement or lower level smells musty or feels damp, your exterior drainage may be the root cause. Water could be seeping through cracks due to poor grading or clogged drainage systems.

When to Call in the Pros

Yard drainage is not a one-size-fits-all problem. At Skyline Exteriors Landscaping, we take a site-specific approach to identifying and solving your yard’s water flow issues.

We offer:

• Free drainage evaluations

• Professional grading and sloping

• French drains, dry wells, and swales

• Gutter downspout extensions

• Lawn and soil restoration

Stop Water Damage Before It Starts

Drainage problems are easy to overlook—but costly to ignore. The earlier you spot the signs, the easier (and cheaper) the solution will be.

Let our experienced team take a look before the next heavy rain hits. Contact Skyline Exteriors Landscaping today to schedule your free drainage inspection and get your yard flowing in the right direction.