HomeGuide's 2026 national guide prices a yard drainage system at $1,000 to $4,000 on average and a French drain at $10 to $35 a foot. In Pittsburgh, most drainage jobs start uphill of the problem.
Prices on this page are national ranges from HomeGuide, not quotes from us. On Pittsburgh lots, the slope, the rock, the access up the street and the distance to the dump change the real number. Figures checked October 2026.
How do I fix standing water in a Pittsburgh yard?
To fix standing water, find where it comes from: on a hillside it is usually runoff from above collecting on a flat bench or behind a wall. Regrade the flat area so it falls to an outlet, add a swale along its uphill edge, or bury a drain to carry the water around.
Why does my yard stay soggy after it rains?
A yard stays soggy when water seeping out of the hill comes to the surface at the bottom of a slope, or when clay holds it on a level spot. A curtain drain across the slope above the wet area intercepts that seepage and fixes most of these yards.
Why does water pool against my foundation on the uphill side?
Water pools against the foundation when the ground beside the house slopes in, downspouts dump at the walls, or the hill above sends runoff straight at the uphill side. That is why so many Pittsburgh basements leak on one wall. Regrading, a swale above and piped downspouts usually solve it.
What is the cost of a French drain in Pittsburgh?
The cost of a French drain is $10 to $35 per foot in a yard, or $500 to $8,800 installed, by HomeGuide's French drain page. An interior basement drain is $40 to $85 per foot.
| Length | Exterior | Interior basement |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $500 to $1,800 | $2,000 to $4,300 |
| 100 ft | $1,000 to $3,500 | $4,000 to $8,500 |
| 200 ft | $2,000 to $7,000 | $8,000 to $17,000 |
What does a curtain drain cost, or a drain all around the house?
A curtain drain costs $10 to $35 per foot, or $1,500 to $8,800, per HomeGuide, and it is the workhorse of hillside drainage here. A perimeter drain around the house at footing level runs $30 to $90 per foot, about $1,200 to $4,500 per side.
French drain or dry well for my lot?
On most Pittsburgh lots, a French drain to an outlet beats a dry well. HomeGuide lists dry wells at $300 to $1,500, but clay over shale takes water in slowly, and a dry well on a slope can feed water into the hill below. Use one only where a test shows the soil drains.
On a Pittsburgh lot, what does a swale cost, and when is a catch basin better?
A swale costs $250 to $1,000 by HomeGuide's figures. On a hillside, a swale across the slope above the house turns runoff to the side. A catch basin works at a low point on a patio, driveway or bench where a swale will not fit.
How deep should a drainage ditch or curtain drain go?
A swale is shallow, a few inches to a foot. A curtain drain is dug deep enough to catch water moving along the top of the rock, often 2 to 4 feet on a Pittsburgh slope. A footer drain sits at the base of the footing. Each needs steady fall to an outlet.
Can my downspouts be piped away underground?
Yes, downspouts can run in solid pipe to a storm outlet, a swale or a safe point downhill. Nationally, underground downspout extensions cost $150 to $350 each, per HomeGuide. Never empty them onto a steep slope or into the sanitary sewer.
My neighbor's water drains down onto my property. What can I do?
Talk with your neighbor first, with photos and video of the water during rain. How Pennsylvania law treats surface water between neighbors depends on the details, so ask a local attorney about your facts. This is general information, not legal advice. On your side, a curtain drain or swale can turn the water.
Will outside excavation fix my wet basement?
Outside excavation fixes a wet basement when water is coming through the wall from the uphill side or through a failed footer drain. We dig along the wall, the waterproofing contractor seals it and lays new drain, and we backfill with stone. Water coming up through the floor needs an interior system.
For a price on your own property, call or text (412) 501-2259. We see the site, then give you the scope and price in writing.