Drainage Problems to Fix Before Winter Hits (and How to Prevent a Frozen, Flooded Yard)

By G Construction & Landscape — Premium Outdoor Living Experts Serving Aurora, Naperville, Downers Grove, and Beyond

When the Leaves Fall, the Water Rises

Fall in Chicagoland is beautiful — the crisp air, golden trees, and cooler temps are perfect for patio weather. But it’s also when hidden drainage problems start showing their ugly side.

Pooling water, soggy lawns, or icy patches near your foundation aren’t just annoyances — they’re signs your yard’s drainage system is struggling to handle runoff before winter sets in. And once the ground freezes, there’s not much anyone can do until spring thaw.

So, before the first hard frost, it’s time to check your yard’s drainage health and fix small issues before they become major headaches.

Why Fall Is the Best Time to Tackle Drainage Work

Many homeowners assume spring is the best season for outdoor work, but fall actually gives you an advantage when it comes to solving drainage issues:

• ✅ The soil is soft and workable, making excavation easier.

• ✅ Rain patterns reveal problem spots (you can literally see where puddles form).

• ✅ Temperatures are ideal for setting new sod or topdressing after drainage work.

• ✅ Systems are ready before the freeze, preventing frost heave and pipe damage.

By addressing drainage issues now, you’ll start next spring with a dry, usable lawn — instead of a muddy mess.

The Most Common Drainage Problems in Chicagoland Yards

1. Standing Water After Rain

If puddles linger more than a day or two, that’s a red flag. It means your yard’s grade isn’t shedding water properly, or the subsoil has compacted and lost permeability.

Common causes:

• Flat or reverse-graded yards

• Heavy clay soil (typical in Illinois)

• Poor downspout placement

Solution:A light regrading or French drain installation with clean ¾" stone and perforated pipe can permanently eliminate standing water.

2. Downspouts Dumping Next to the Foundation

When downspouts release water too close to your home, that moisture seeps into foundation walls — and when it freezes, cracks appear.

Our fix:We extend downspouts underground using SDR-35 PVC pipe or NDS corrugated pipe that carries water safely away to a pop-up emitter or dry well. It’s clean, hidden, and prevents freeze-back during winter.

3. Soggy Side Yards or Swales That Never Drain

These are the narrow, shaded zones that stay muddy year-round — and freeze solid in winter.

Solution:We design subtle channel drains or swale regrades with geotextile fabric and CA-7 clean stone to promote flow. Sometimes we’ll install catch basins connected to buried pipe systems to collect water and redirect it toward a safe discharge point.

4. Water Pooling Around Patios or Retaining Walls

You’ve invested in a beautiful Unilock patio — but pooling water on or around it can lead to sand washout, joint failure, and even frost heaving.

Our fix:We install drain tile or trench drains along low edges and tie them into a subsurface system. Combined with open-grade base construction and proper slope (1/8" per foot minimum), your patio stays dry and stable all year.

5. Driveway or Walkway Icing

When meltwater runs across walkways and refreezes, it becomes a safety hazard.

Solution:We integrate slot drains or subtle channel drains along transitions to redirect runoff into underground piping — keeping your surfaces ice-free and safe.

Drainage Solutions We Install Professionally

At G Construction & Landscape, we don’t use one-size-fits-all solutions — we design custom systems that fit your property, soil type, and layout.Here’s what we typically recommend:

✔️ French Drains

Perforated pipe wrapped in filter fabric, surrounded by clean ¾" stone — perfect for soggy lawns or between houses.We use DriveGrid or nonwoven geotextile for long-lasting filtration.

✔️ Catch Basin & Drain Tile Systems

For low-lying areas, catch basins collect water and channel it through pipe runs to a discharge point or dry well. Ideal for lawns with concentrated runoff.

✔️ Pop-Up Emitters

These finish-grade caps release water above the surface and blend into the landscape. They’re perfect for downspout or sump pump discharge.

✔️ Dry Wells

Underground chambers filled with stone that collect and slowly disperse runoff. A great solution for tight lots where open discharge isn’t possible.

✔️ Swale Regrading & Grading Corrections

We use laser levels to re-sculpt yards so water flows away from the house and toward drainage exits.

What Happens If You Ignore Drainage Issues

Neglecting poor drainage doesn’t just create puddles — it can cause real, expensive damage:

• Foundation cracks and basement seepage

• Frost heave around patios or walkways

• Dead grass and tree root rot

• Insect breeding (especially mosquitoes)

• Soil erosion and settling near hardscape features

A small fix in the fall can prevent thousands in repairs come spring.

DIY vs. Professional Drainage Work

Sure, you can pick up a corrugated pipe kit from the big box store — but if it’s not installed with the correct slope, depth, and material, it’ll clog, freeze, or collapse.

Our systems follow ICPI and NDS standards, with proper grading, base stone, and discharge calculations. That’s why homeowners across Aurora, Naperville, and Downers Grove trust G Construction & Landscape for professional drainage installation that actually lasts.

How We Diagnose Drainage Issues

Every property is different. Here’s our typical process:

1. Site evaluation — identify flow paths, soil types, and low spots.

2. Laser-grade mapping — determine the natural slope and water direction.

3. Solution design — propose the right system for your yard.

4. Installation — using clean stone, filter fabric, and durable piping.

5. Final grading & restoration — smooth finish and optional seeding/mulch.

We ensure every system integrates seamlessly with your landscape and hardscape.

Bonus Tip: Combine Drainage Work with Fall Landscaping

If you’re already planning a fall lawn renovation, new sod, or patio project, it’s the perfect time to add drainage upgrades. Once footings or trenches are in place, we can restore your lawn with premium Central Sod Farm seed and mushroom compost mix for strong growth before frost.

Ready to Stop the Flood Before It Freezes?

Fall is your last window to fix drainage problems before the ground locks up. Our crews are still booking drainage and grading projects in Aurora, Naperville, Yorkville, and Downers Grove, and we’d love to help make your yard ready for winter.

📞 Call or text G Construction & Landscape today to schedule your on-site drainage consultation.Let’s make sure your yard stays dry, functional, and beautiful — no matter what winter brings.

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