Water that stands in a Manatee or Sarasota County yard for more than a day usually comes from downspouts dumping roof water beside the house, low spots with no way out, heavy summer storms on flat lots with a high water table, or a leaking or overrunning sprinkler system. Genesis drainage projects typically run $3,000 to $10,000, depending on scope and size, and are quoted in writing after a site visit. If the cause is a sprinkler leak, the fix is a published flat-rate repair instead.
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The common causes
- Downspouts. Roof water dropped beside the foundation or lanai collects in the beds and nearby lawn.
- Low spots with no outlet. On a flat lot, water that runs into a low area has nowhere to go.
- Summer storms and a high water table. Our area gets most of its rain from June through September, often in short, heavy afternoon storms, and the ground is already holding water.
- The sprinkler system. A broken pipe, a valve that will not shut off, overspray or a schedule that runs too long can keep an area soggy before any rain falls.
Is it drainage or irrigation?
If the wet area appears after storms and dries out in a dry week, the cause is usually drainage. If it stays wet on dry days, appears near a sprinkler head or valve box, or your water use has gone up, suspect the irrigation system first. Every Genesis drainage visit includes a check of the sprinkler schedule and coverage, so the cheaper fix is found first.
What fixing it costs
- Drainage: projects typically run $3,000 to $10,000, depending on scope and size: the length and depth of the drain, where the water can be discharged and how much sod and landscaping has to be restored. Every project is quoted in writing after a site visit, before any work starts.
- Sprinkler leaks: a $125 service call plus a published flat rate, for example $190 for a broken below-ground pipe, $275 for a broken mainline pipe, or $115 for a valve solenoid. Each includes parts, labor and a two-year warranty. See what sprinkler repair costs.
- Watering schedule: a Tune Up resets coverage and programs the controller: $150 for the first four zones and $30 for each additional zone.
What we install
- French drains: a trench with filter fabric, gravel and perforated pipe that collects ground and surface water and carries it to an outlet.
- Downspout tie-ins: buried solid pipe that carries roof water away from the house.
- Catch basins and discharge outlets: collection points for low spots, with pop-up or basin outlets where the water can leave the yard.
- Regrading and swales: reshaping the ground so water flows away from buildings and toward the drainage path.
How a drainage project works
- Site visit: we look at where water enters, where it sits and where it can leave, and check grades, downspouts and the irrigation system.
- A written plan and quote before any work starts.
- Installation: we locate and protect sprinkler lines, install the drainage and restore the sod.
- Walk-through: we run water through the system with you.
Because we also install and repair irrigation, drains and sprinkler lines are planned together instead of cutting through each other. More on drainage in Sarasota, drainage in Lakewood Ranch and yard drainage in Bradenton.
Not every yard is a trench-and-gravel job. Read how we handled a property that sat in a natural basin: When a French Drain Isn’t the Fix: Standing Water on a Basin Property.
Where we work
Manatee County: Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Parrish, Palmetto, Ellenton, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach.
Sarasota County: Sarasota, Siesta Key and Longboat Key.
Frequently asked questions
Why does water stand in my yard after it rains?
The usual causes are roof water dumped beside the house by downspouts, low spots with no path for water to leave, flat lots and a high water table during heavy summer storms, and leaking or overrunning sprinklers that keep the ground wet before the rain arrives.
How much does it cost to fix standing water in my yard?
Genesis drainage projects typically run $3,000 to $10,000, depending on scope and size. Each one is quoted in writing after a site visit, before any work starts. If the cause is a sprinkler leak, the fix is a flat-rate repair instead, such as $190 for a broken below-ground pipe plus the $125 service call.
Can a sprinkler leak cause standing water?
Yes. A broken pipe, a valve that will not shut off, or a schedule that runs too long can keep an area wet even on dry days. That is why every Genesis drainage visit includes a check of the sprinkler schedule and coverage.
Do I need a French drain?
A French drain is the right fix for low areas that stay wet. A surface problem may only need regrading or a downspout tie-in. We tell you which after the site visit.
Will you put the yard back afterwards?
Yes. We locate and protect sprinkler lines, install the drainage and restore the sod, then run water through the system with you.
Licensed and local
Genesis Sprinklers and Water Management, LLC is a Florida State Certified Irrigation Specialty Contractor, license SCC131152466, based at 5320 Lena Rd Ste 104, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211. Call (833) 543-6374, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. We answer the phone, and reply to emails and voicemails, the same day.