Landscape Drainage

Landscape Drainage in the Twin Cities

With over 37 years in the landscaping and drainage industry, we’ve seen it all - from minor soggy spots to severe flooding and foundation issues. We understand how Minnesota’s soils and weather impact drainage, and we design solutions that last.

Landscape Drainage in the Twin Cities by Schifsky Companies in the Twin Cities

Proper drainage protects your home’s foundation, eliminates wet and unusable lawn areas, prevents root rot and erosion, and saves you from costly emergency water-damage repairs. We’ll design and install the right setup to keep water moving away from your home.

Water problems are rarely random - there’s always a source and a path. Rather than guess, we trace where the water comes from and where it wants to go, then engineer a solution that redirects it for good instead of just chasing the symptom.

Financing available. We partner with Lyon Financial for low, fixed-rate home-improvement loans - no equity or appraisals required. Estimate your monthly payment →

Landscape Drainage

Drainage Solutions

  • Drain tile
  • French drains
  • Drainage swales
  • Yard sloping & grading
  • Catch basins & drain boxes
  • Channel & concrete drains
Why It Matters

Why Drainage Is Worth Getting Right

Standing water is more than an eyesore - it kills lawns and plantings, breeds mosquitoes, undermines patios, and, worst of all, works its way toward your foundation where repairs run into the tens of thousands. Fixing drainage is one of the highest-return projects on a property: a few thousand dollars of grading and drain tile can prevent a flooded basement and protect the single biggest investment you own.

How We Work

How We Solve a Wet Yard

We fix the cause, not just the puddle - here’s how we get water moving the right direction.

Diagnose the Source

We walk the property and trace where water collects and where it’s coming from - downspouts, grade, soil, and runoff from neighboring lots.

Grading Plan

We map the right slopes and a clear discharge point, so water is led away from your home and low spots by design.

Install Drainage

Drain tile, French drains, and swales capture water below and at the surface and carry it where it belongs.

Catch Basins & Discharge

Catch basins, drain boxes, and outlets collect the water and release it safely away from the foundation.

Restore & Test

We regrade, reseed or sod, and verify the system carries water away cleanly - even in a heavy rain.

FAQ

Common Landscape Drainage Questions

French drain vs. drain tile - what’s the difference?
They’re closely related. A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects surface and subsurface water; “drain tile” usually refers to that perforated pipe itself. Many yards need a combination, plus surface grading - we design the right mix for your situation.
Will fixing my yard drainage help a wet basement?
Very often, yes. A lot of wet basements start with water pooling against the foundation from poor grading or downspouts. Regrading and adding drainage to move water away is frequently the first and most cost-effective fix. For interior water issues we’ll tell you honestly if you also need a waterproofing specialist.
Do I need to regrade, or just add drains?
It depends on the cause. Sometimes correcting the slope (grading) solves it; sometimes you need drain tile or catch basins; usually it’s a combination. We diagnose first so you’re not paying for hardware that doesn’t address the real problem.
Does a drainage system need maintenance?
Very little. Keeping catch basins and outlets clear of leaves and debris once or twice a year is usually all it takes to keep everything flowing.
Why Schifsky

The Schifsky Difference

Family-owned for 37+ years, we design and build your project with one accountable team, so the people who plan it are the people who build it, start to finish.

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  • 37+ Years, Family-OwnedNearly four decades building Twin Cities outdoor spaces - still run by the same family.
  • True Design-BuildOne accountable team from first sketch to final walkthrough - no finger-pointing between trades.
  • See It in 3D FirstWe design your project in realistic 3D so you can refine it before we ever break ground.
  • Built for Minnesota WintersProper base prep, drainage, and craftsmanship engineered to handle our freeze-thaw cycles.
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