Why Standing Water Is So Common on Long Island
If you have puddles that linger in your backyard for hours or even days after rain, you are not alone. Standing water is one of the most common property issues on Long Island, and it comes down to our unique geography. Much of Long Island sits on a glacial moraine with soil that varies dramatically from block to block. Sandy soil in South Shore communities like Bay Shore, Babylon, and Massapequa can drain too quickly in some spots and not at all in others where clay layers sit just below the surface. North Shore areas around Huntington often have heavier clay soils that resist water absorption entirely. Add a high water table across large parts of the island and relatively flat grading in many subdivisions, and you have the recipe for persistent drainage problems.
The Risks of Ignoring Standing Water
- Foundation damage: Water that pools near your home can seep into basement walls and footings, leading to costly structural repairs. Long Island basements are particularly vulnerable because many homes were built in the 1950s through 1970s without modern waterproofing.
- Mosquito breeding: Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, which is a real quality-of-life issue during Long Island summers and a potential health concern.
- Lawn damage and erosion: Saturated soil kills grass roots and promotes moss and algae growth. Over time, standing water erodes topsoil and creates bare, muddy patches that get worse each season.
- Unusable outdoor space: A backyard that turns into a swamp after every rainstorm is a backyard you cannot enjoy. For families who want to use their patios, play areas, and gardens, drainage problems effectively shrink your usable property.
French Drains: The Most Versatile Solution
A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects and redirects groundwater away from problem areas. It is the most common and effective drainage solution for Long Island properties. The trench is typically dug 12 to 24 inches deep and lined with filter fabric to prevent soil from clogging the pipe. Water enters through the perforated pipe and flows by gravity to a discharge point, which could be a dry well, a storm drain (where permitted), or a lower area of your property. French drains work well along foundation walls, at the base of slopes, and across low-lying areas of the yard. For most Long Island drainage projects, a French drain system costs between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on the length and complexity.
Dry Wells: Underground Water Storage
Dry wells are underground chambers that collect runoff and allow it to slowly percolate into the surrounding soil. They are especially useful on Long Island because many towns require that stormwater be managed on-site rather than directed to the street. A typical dry well is a 4-foot diameter, 4-foot deep chamber filled with gravel or fitted with a pre-formed plastic structure. Dry wells work best in sandy or well-draining soil, which is common in Babylon, Bay Shore, and other South Shore towns. In clay-heavy areas, dry wells can be combined with French drains to collect water from a larger area and give it a place to slowly absorb. Most residential dry well installations on Long Island cost $1,500 to $4,000 per well.
Regrading and Surface Drainage
Sometimes the simplest solution is the most effective. If your yard is flat or slopes toward your house, regrading the surface to direct water away from the foundation and toward appropriate drainage areas can eliminate standing water without underground systems. Proper grading requires a minimum slope of 1/4 inch per foot away from the house for the first 6 to 10 feet. Beyond that, subtle swales (shallow channels) can guide water to lower areas or collection points. Regrading costs vary widely depending on the scope, from $1,000 to $3,000 for minor adjustments to $5,000 to $15,000 for significant reshaping of the yard. Many Long Island properties benefit from a combination of regrading and subsurface drainage for a complete solution.
Channel Drains and Catch Basins
- Channel drains (also called trench drains) are narrow grates set into the surface of patios, driveways, or walkways to intercept water before it reaches a problem area. They are ideal for collecting runoff at the base of a driveway or along the edge of a patio.
- Catch basins are in-ground boxes with grated tops that collect surface water and direct it to underground pipes. They work well at the low point of a yard where water naturally collects.
- Both channel drains and catch basins connect to underground pipes that carry water to a dry well, French drain system, or other discharge point.
- On Long Island, these surface drainage solutions are often used alongside subsurface systems to create a comprehensive approach that handles both heavy downpours and gradual groundwater issues.
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Property
Every Long Island property is different, and the best drainage solution depends on your specific soil type, water table level, grading, and where the water is coming from. A property in Commack with clay soil and a sloped yard needs a different approach than a flat lot in Massapequa with sandy soil and a high water table. The most effective projects start with a site assessment that identifies where water is entering, where it is collecting, and what is preventing it from draining. At Brothers Paving & Masonry, we evaluate drainage issues on-site and design custom solutions that address the root cause rather than just the symptoms. Contact us for a free drainage assessment at your home in Bay Shore, Babylon, Huntington, Commack, Massapequa, or anywhere on Long Island.