Yard drainage problems we help with in Sunnyvale
What you see, and the usual fix
| What you see | Likely fix | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Puddles under downspouts | Extensions or buried downspout lines | Water against the foundation |
| Whole lawn soggy for days | Regrading plus a French drain | French drains in clay soil |
| One low spot that ponds | Catch basin piped away | Standing water in the yard |
| Water under the house | Outside drainage first, then a sump pump | Crawl space water |
| New cracks, sticking doors | Fix the water, then check the foundation | Foundation cracks |
Why Sunnyvale yards flood
Clay is packed so tight that water barely soaks in. A storm that drains from sandy soil in an hour can sit on a Sunnyvale lawn for days, and most of our rain comes in a few big storms between November and March.
The clay also swells when wet and shrinks when dry, which cracks driveways, patios and sometimes foundations. Keeping water away from the house is the cheapest way to limit it. How Sunnyvale’s clay soil works →
How it works
- Tell us what’s happening. A short form: where the water is, when it shows up, and whether you’ve noticed cracks.
- We pick one licensed contractor. Someone who works in your area and does this kind of job. You don’t have to figure out whether you need a plumber, a landscaper or a drainage company.
- You get a free estimate. We follow up within one business day, and the contractor comes out to look at it. You decide whether to hire them.
We’re a referral service, not a contractor. We only refer contractors with an active California license. How we work →
Areas we cover
Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, Mountain View and west San Jose. See the service area →
Common questions
Who do I call when my yard floods?
Call a drainage contractor, not a plumber, for standing water that keeps coming back. Plumbers handle pipes inside the house. Drainage contractors handle grading, French drains, yard drains and downspouts. If water is coming from a broken pipe or sprinkler line, that’s a plumber or irrigation fix.
Is standing water normal after rain in Sunnyvale?
A few hours after a big storm is normal on clay. If water is still there a day or two later, keeps showing up in the same spot, or is collecting against the house, it’s worth fixing.
How much does yard drainage cost?
It depends on the fix. Downspout extensions can be under a few hundred dollars. A French drain in Sunnyvale typically runs about $31 to $49 per linear foot. See French drain costs →
How is this different from calling contractors myself?
You don’t have to work out which trade you need or chase callbacks. We match you with one licensed contractor for your problem, they give you a free estimate, and we follow up within one business day.
Do you charge homeowners?
No. The service is free for homeowners. Contractors pay us for referrals.