Surface drainage

Proper grading is critical in preventing water from getting into your home. Learn what steps to take to ensure proper grading.

Keep water away from your home with proper drainage

Pooling water on your property can lead to large problems, like basement flooding or foundation damage. These issues don’t just affect your home but can also impact your neighbours. Learn more about how swales and proper lot grading help keep the outside of your property safe from flooding.

Swales on your property

A swale is a shallow channel designed to move water away from your property. It helps prevent water from pooling on your lot and nearby properties.

Swales are usually:

made of grass or concrete,
V- or U-shaped, and
located along the back fence line or near the edge of your property.

Different types of swales

There are two kinds of swales you might see on your property:

Common swale
Internal swale

Common swale

Shared between neighbouring properties
V- or U-shaped
Direct water to the street or alley

Internal swale

Used when shared swales aren’t possible
May need a retaining wall to guide water away
Retaining walls must include a waterproof barrier to protect nearby properties

How to keep swales working properly

If you have a swale, here are a few simple ways to keep it working effectively:

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Keep it clear – Remove leaves, debris or anything blocking water flow.

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Don’t block or cover it – avoid placing dirt, rocks, shrubs or trees in the swale.

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Direct downspouts towards it – make sure they point to the swale and away from homes.

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Don’t change its shape or layout – swales are designed with a specific shape and layout to move stormwater to prevent pooling.

Lot grading and surface drainage issues

Drainage issues can take years to show up. Properties in neighbourhoods built before 1993 are more prone to flooding than others because of settlement of soil and foundations, as well changes to lot grading requirements. You may notice drainage issues:

after heavy rain,
when snow melts,
as foundation walls and ground settles, or
when nearby properties are redeveloped.

Often, these problems can indicate an issue with lot grading on your property. Lot grading is how your yard slopes away from your home. Proper grading helps rain and snow melt flow safely towards the street or alley into the collection system. This helps keep water off your property and out of your basement.

For additional information about lot grading, visit the City of Edmonton website.

Homeowners are responsible for proper grading on their property. If you see water pooling or signs of flooding, reach out to a professional like a landscaper, grading company/contractor, home inspector, or restoration company. The City of Edmonton also has helpful FAQs to help troubleshoot drainage issues.

Ways to prevent flooding or pooling water

You can take a few small steps each year to help prevent drainage problems on your property:

Check grading annually: Make sure your grade is properly sloped, particularly near your foundation and basement walls, and fix it if needed.
Look for low spots: Look under stairs, decks and steps for low spots and fill them in.
Seal concrete cracks: Seal cracks between your foundation and any nearby concrete, like driveways or patios.
Check for moisture and cracks inside: Look for moisture near basement walls or floors and seal any visible cracks.
Keep nearby catch basins clear: During spring melt or heavy rain, catch basins can become blocked, which can cause water to back up on your property. Help keep them clear by clearing away leaves, ice and debris to keep water flowing.
Book a free Flood Prevention Inspection from EPCOR: We’ll come to your home and check inside and outside to help you spot potential drainage issues before they cause a problem.