Residential Drainage

Residential Drainage Design

Standing water in your yard is more than just an eyesore; it damages your lawn, breeds mosquitoes, and can impact your foundation. Our drainage engineering solutions address the root cause of water problems with designs tailored to Florida's unique hydrology.

$2,500 - $15,000+ 1-6 weeks
What We Provide

Licensed Professional Engineers solving standing water, yard flooding, and foundation drainage problems for Florida homeowners. Our team of Licensed Professional Engineers delivers solutions tailored to Florida's unique drainage challenges.

Florida's combination of flat terrain, high water tables, sandy soils, and intense seasonal rainfall creates drainage challenges unlike anywhere else in the country. In South Florida, the water table can rise to within two feet of the surface during the wet season, leaving properties with nowhere for stormwater to go. Without proper engineering, this leads to standing water, soggy yards, foundation damage, and costly repairs.

Our Licensed Professional Engineers specialize in diagnosing the root causes of residential drainage problems and designing systems that work within Florida's challenging conditions. Every design begins with a thorough site assessment, including topographic surveys, soil analysis, and evaluation of existing drainage infrastructure. We then develop an engineered solution that accounts for your property's unique characteristics — elevation, soil permeability, proximity to water bodies, and local code requirements.

Whether you need a simple french drain to redirect water away from your foundation or a comprehensive property-wide drainage system with retention, catch basins, and outfall connections, we deliver permit-ready engineered plans that contractors can build from with confidence.

French Drain Systems

Subsurface drainage systems engineered to redirect groundwater away from your home and foundation, sized for Florida's soil conditions and rainfall intensity

Yard Drainage Solutions

Surface grading design, catch basins, and channel drains to manage stormwater flow across your property and prevent ponding

Pool & Patio Drainage

Pool deck drainage systems, pool area drainage solutions, and swimming pool drainage design — including french drains around pools. Trusted by pool contractors statewide.

Foundation Protection

Perimeter drainage systems designed to intercept groundwater before it reaches your foundation, reducing hydrostatic pressure and preventing water intrusion

Drainage Modification

Redesign and restoration of existing drainage systems to meet current Florida Building Code requirements and address performance issues

Sump Pump Systems

Engineered water removal with battery backup for low-lying areas where gravity drainage is not feasible due to high water tables

Benefits
  • Mitigate standing water and yard flooding
  • Protect your foundation from water damage
  • Reduce mosquito breeding areas on your property
  • Increase property value with proper drainage infrastructure
  • Create usable outdoor spaces year-round, even during wet season
  • Professionally engineered solutions backed by calculations, not guesswork
Our Process
01
Professional Drainage Assessment

We visit your property to evaluate existing conditions, identify the source of water problems, assess soil types and permeability, and document elevations and flow patterns. This on-site assessment is the foundation of every successful drainage design.

02
Boundary and Topographic Surveys

Our survey team collects accurate elevation data, property boundary information, and locations of existing utilities and structures. This data feeds directly into the engineering design to ensure precise grading and pipe sizing.

03
Engineering Design

Our Licensed Professional Engineers develop a complete drainage design including pipe sizing calculations, grading plans, detention/retention requirements, and construction details. Every design accounts for Florida's 25-year/24-hour storm event and local code requirements.

04
Permit Coordination

We prepare and submit all required permit applications to your local building department, SFWMD, or other agencies. Our team manages reviewer communication and addresses any comments to keep your project moving toward approval.

05
Contractor Coordination

We provide permit-ready construction drawings that contractors can build from directly. If needed, we can connect you with experienced drainage contractors in our professional network who are familiar with our designs.

06
Inspection and Certification

After installation, we provide any required inspections, as-built documentation, and engineering certifications to close out permits and verify the system was built according to our design.

Before You Start: Survey Data Required

Our engineers need elevation data to design your stormwater management system. A current topographic survey provides the contours, grades, and existing drainage structures we use to calculate flow paths and pipe sizes.

Get a topographic survey from Apex Surveying Already have a survey? Upload it with your quote request below.
Florida Jurisdiction Requirements

Understanding regulatory requirements is critical for any drainage project in Florida.

  • Florida Building Code 8th Edition requires engineered drainage for construction affecting surface water flow or connecting to municipal systems
  • SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for projects affecting wetlands, floodplains, or surface water management systems
  • County building departments typically require engineer-stamped drainage plans for permits involving grading, fill, or drainage pipe installation
  • Residential properties in flood zones (AE, VE, X-shaded) face additional elevation and drainage requirements under FEMA regulations
  • Pool and patio projects must demonstrate that drainage does not adversely impact neighboring properties per Florida Statute 373
  • Many municipalities require a pre-development vs. post-development runoff analysis for projects exceeding impervious area thresholds
Pool Contractors

Pool Drainage Engineering for Contractors

We partner with pool contractors across Florida to provide professional pool deck drainage design, swimming pool drainage plans, and permit-ready engineering.

  • Pool deck drainage system design & engineering
  • Swimming pool dewatering permits
  • French drain design around pools
  • Pool patio drainage and grading plans
  • Engineer-stamped plans for building departments
  • Fast turnaround for contractor schedules
Partner With Us
100% Permit Approval
1,000+ Projects Completed
24hr Response Time
Statewide Florida Coverage
Common Problems We Solve

Florida Property Challenges

Standing Water After Rain

Flat Florida lots, high water tables, and compacted soil combine to create persistent puddles that damage your lawn, attract mosquitoes, and can undermine your foundation over time.

Neighbor's Runoff Flooding Your Yard

When adjacent properties are regraded, water flows downhill — often onto your property. Florida law addresses drainage between properties, and proper engineering can redirect this water.

Pool Deck Flooding

Pool installations change property drainage patterns. Without proper pool deck drainage design, water can pool on decks, damage decking materials, and violate Florida Building Code requirements.

Foundation Water Intrusion

South Florida's water table can rise to within inches of the surface during wet season, creating hydrostatic pressure against foundations and causing cracks, seepage, and structural damage.

Failing Older Drainage Systems

Drainage infrastructure installed decades ago may be undersized, clogged, or damaged. Pipes collapse, swales erode, and catch basins clog — requiring modern engineering solutions.

New Construction Drainage Requirements

Florida building departments require engineered drainage plans for new construction, additions, and major renovations. Without proper plans, your building permit will be denied.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about residential drainage design

Why does my yard flood after every rain?
Common causes in Florida include: poor grading where water flows toward the home instead of away, compacted soil layers that prevent absorption, high water tables (especially in South Florida), clogged or undersized drain pipes, and landscape changes like new patios or driveways that alter natural runoff patterns. Our professional drainage assessment identifies the root cause.
Do I need a permit for residential drainage work?
Many residential drainage projects require permits depending on scope. Permits may be required if connecting to municipal drainage systems, working near property lines, or affecting neighboring properties. Our team handles all permit requirements as part of our service — with a 100% approval rate.
What types of drainage systems work best in Florida?
Florida's unique conditions — high water tables, sandy soil, and intense rainfall — require engineered solutions. French drains, catch basin networks, channel drains, and properly graded swales all have applications depending on your specific site conditions. We design the right system for your property.
I'm a pool contractor — do you handle pool drainage permits?
Yes, we work with pool contractors throughout Florida. We provide the engineered drainage plans and permit drawings needed for pool and patio projects. Our 100% permit approval rate means no delays on your project timeline. Fast turnaround available.
What pool deck drainage system do I need?
Pool deck drainage depends on your specific site. Common solutions include channel drains along pool coping, trench drains at deck perimeters, and french drains around pools for subsurface water management. Florida code requires proper drainage around pools to prevent standing water on decks and adjacent properties. We design the complete pool drainage system, from surface deck drains to underground collection systems, and handle all permit requirements.
Do pool areas need engineered drainage plans in Florida?
In most Florida jurisdictions, yes. Swimming pool drainage must be designed to prevent water from flowing onto neighboring properties or into environmentally sensitive areas. Pool dewatering during construction also requires permits in many counties. Our Licensed Professional Engineers provide the engineer-stamped pool drainage plans that building departments and SFWMD require.
How long does a residential drainage project take?
Timeline depends on project complexity. Simple French drain designs may take 1-2 weeks. Complete property drainage redesigns with permitting can take 3-6 weeks. We provide schedule estimates during consultation and keep you updated throughout.
Can standing water damage my foundation?
Yes. Prolonged standing water creates hydrostatic pressure against foundation walls, which can cause cracks, water intrusion, and structural issues over time. In Florida's sandy soils, water can also cause soil erosion around foundations. Addressing drainage issues early can help prevent costly foundation repairs.

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