Yard drainage in McKinney, Texas

When Standing Water Stays Too Long

Pooling water or ground that stays wet for days after a rain can damage foundations, kill grass, and turn a backyard into a mud pit. Fixing the problem usually means regrading to adjust the slope, cutting a swale to guide runoff to a better spot, or installing a French drain or buried drain line to carry water away underground. Most projects involve moving soil, digging trenches, and sometimes hauling away wet soil.

The Machine That Fits a Yard Drainage Project

A mini excavator is the usual choice for this kind of work. Its small footprint lets it pass through a side yard or a standard gate, its bucket can dig trenches for French drains or drain lines, and it has the reach to recontour a slope without tearing up the whole yard. A skid steer may be used where the gate is too narrow or the ground needs more grading than digging, but most drainage work calls for the precision and depth a mini excavator offers.

McKinney Stormwater and Drainage Rules

Grading and drainage plans for any new construction must be reviewed and approved by the city engineer before a building permit is issued. Check with the city engineering department about any permit or stormwater ordinance requirement that may apply to a larger drainage project.

Call Texas 811 Before Any Digging

Texas law requires homeowners to place a request with Texas 811 at least two business days before any digging begins, excluding weekends and holidays. The service passes the request to utility owners, who send locators to mark the approximate location of underground gas, electric, and other lines at the site. Texas 811 does not charge for the request.

What to Include in Your Project Post

Describe the width of the path to the work area and whether a machine must pass through a gate or fence opening. Note the slope or low spot where water collects, whether any trees, shrubs, or hardscape must stay in place, and how much soil will need to be hauled off the property. State whether the drain line will tie into an existing system or daylight at the street or a drainage easement, and mention any timing that matters, such as preparing the yard before a deck or patio goes in.