True Cost Guide Disaster Recovery Remove Standing Water

How Much Does it Cost to Remove & Drain Standing Water?

Typical Range:

$1,611 - $6,800

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 2,007 HomeAdvisor members. Embed this data

How We Get This Data

Homeowners use HomeAdvisor to find pros for home projects.

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When their projects are done, they fill out a short cost survey.

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We compile the data and report costs back to you.

Updated September 2, 2022

Reviewed by Jeff Botelho, Licensed Journeyman Plumber.

Written by HomeAdvisor.

Standing Water Removal Cost

Most homeowners spend between $1,611 and $6,800 to remove standing water from their yard or home exterior, with a national average cost of $4,101. The project can cost as little as $400 and as much as $8,000, depending on a variety of factors including the drainage and landscape grading work needed to remove the water and prevent future flooding.

Standing water in your yard may seem harmless, but it can pose a major threat to the inside and outside of your home. This look at exterior moisture removal will break down the price of abatement and a variety of extraction and preventative methods that will help you avoid flooding, mosquitos, and a damaged foundation.

For costs on removing water from your basement or home interior, consult our Water Damage Repair Cost Guide.

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National Average	$4,101
Typical Range	$1,611 - $6,800
Low End - High End	$450 - $18,500

Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 2,007 HomeAdvisor members.

Foundation and Home Drainage Work

the average cost to remove standing water is $3,050 of $400 to $10,000

Understanding how to protect your foundation and improve your home's drainage isn't always easy. That's why it's important to hire a professional drain service. Abatement pros have the skills and experience necessary to eliminate your standing water and stop future flooding. Here's a look at common updates that will prevent moisture from accumulating in or near your home:

Gutter Cleaning Cost

The cost to hire a gutter cleaning service averages $150, or between $100 and $200. Clogged gutters and downspouts will overflow and allow water to collect near your foundation. Removing debris from your downspouts will improve flow and prevent flooding. Ignoring blockage can result in repairs or entire replacements. Gutter cleaning is a DIY-able job, but it's a good idea to hire a pro to ensure it gets done safely and correctly.

Gutter Repair Costs

Repairing gutters costs between

Downspout Extension Prices

Downspout extensions are priced at $1 to $15 each. Some downspouts end at the base of your home, causing moisture to collect near your foundation. Downspout extensions are pieces of metal or plastic that direct water away from your home. It's best to pair them with a French drain or swale to prevent erosion.

Basement Waterproofing Cost

Basement waterproofing costs most homeowners between $2,000 and $6,500, but prices are dependent on the type of drainage and materials in your space.

Cement waterproofing: $1,000 - $1,500. Cement coating costs around $40 per five-gallon bucket and covers 100 square feet. This type of waterproofing can crack or break if your foundation shifts. Be sure to fill in any existing cracks before you add cement. It's best to hire a professional basement waterproofing contractor for this job.
Waterproofing membrane: $15,000. Made from laminated, rubberized asphalt that is fixed to the inside of your basement. Installation is difficult and will require the help of a pro. They are especially effective in wet climates with expanding clay soil.
French drain: $750 - $6,000+. Also called weeping tiles, these designs use perforated, underground pipes to carry rain away from your home. Most homeowners bury their French drains between eight inches and four feet underground.

Before you call a pro, draw a simple diagram of where you're experiencing excessive wetness. It's also a good idea to measure the depth of the water. This information will help your professional pinpoint the source of your problem and identify a solution. Be sure to have a rough budget set aside for your project as well. Knowing how much you have to spend will guide your project and help your pro recommend the right solution.

It's also important to speak to your pro about how your job will affect your home. Projects like installing interior outflow systems will be more invasive than downspout installations or gutter cleaning. Understanding the scope of your job will help you prepare your home and family for the work ahead.

Hire a Professional to remove standing water

Landscape Grading Cost

Landscape grading averages $400 to $5,000, but most homeowners spend between $1,300 and $4,500. Project prices will vary based on the size of the job. Major earth moving will require extensive work and heavy machinery. Large excavation jobs cost up to $5,000. Smaller jobs like adding an incline to the base of your home will cost around $400.

Grading is the process of sloping soil to drain away from your home. Adding an incline to your lawn will prevent leaks, foundational issues, and yard erosion. It's an important part of landscape design. Be sure to hire a professional landscaper if you're overhauling the looks of your yard. The correct slope will help you avoid flooding and damage to your home.

Drainage Solutions

Drainage systems prevent flooding from occurring in your yard or around your home. There are a variety to choose from:

French Drain Cost

The average French drain cost varies widely, averaging between $200 and $6,000. These perforated pipes are covered in gravel and move rain away from your home or a low spot in your yard. These designs are ideal for leaky basements, wet landscaping and hillside retaining walls. There are two types:

Shallow: Shallow designs are ideal for eliminating standing water from your landscaping. They're usually eight-inches wide and eight inches deep, with two inches of gravel on the bottom. Installing a surface design is simple and DIY-able.
Deep: Deep models run around your home's footing and move moisture away from your basement. It's easiest to add a deep design to your home during construction. Installing one around an existing house can require extensive construction, resulting in additional costs. Some deep models may need to be empty inside your basement. This is called an interior French drain. This will require breaking your floor, running extra pipe and installing a sump pump.

Downspouts

Downspouts average $160 for your home and direct rain away from areas of your yard that collect moisture. “French drains, downspouts, and drywells can all be used together in a single system to collect water and remove it from your home,” says Jeff Botelho, Angi Expert Review Board member and Massachusetts-licensed journey-level plumber.

Drywell Systems

Drywells collect runoff from grading and other water-streaming systems. Expect to spend $300 to $5,000 to install this system.

Hydrostatic Pressure Drainage

Hydrostatic pressure is caused by buildup around your basement. Over time, water can penetrate your foundation through small cracks and other imperfections. You can relieve your hydrostatic pressure by installing an interior French drain for $3,000 to $4,000. Interior models collect water seeping into your basement and channel it into a sump pump.

Swale Drainage System

Swales are gentle slopes that feed into a shallow ditch or other outflow system (like a French drain or drywell). Swales are simple to construct and normally cost around $0.50 per foot to install. Be sure to adhere to the following rules if you install a swale:

Keep your swale 10 feet away from any buildings.
Keep your swale at least 18 feet away from a steep slope or discharge field.
Be sure your swale is uphill from your low spot and directed away from buildings.

Building a Berm to Divert Water

Most homeowners pay between $1,500 and $5,500 to install landscaping features like berms. Berms are mounds with sloping sides that sit between two areas of equal elevation. In landscaping, berms are commonly used to direct rain away from flat or vulnerable areas. Berms are usually made from sand, plant debris, asphalt, or soil.

It's important to consider what's surrounding your berm. Directing moisture into plant beds or toward your home or driveway could cause erosion or leaks. When building a berm, be sure it is four times higher than it is long. This will ensure a long, sloping construction that makes drainage easy.

Hire a pro to remove & drain standing water

The Dangers and Cost of Standing Water

Stagnant water around your home can seep below the surface and damage your foundation. “Excessive groundwater can also cause sinkholes, which can be dangerous to people and animals,” says Botelho.

Repairing your foundation could cost up to $11,000. Additionally, standing water can deteriorate your basement flooring and walls, which could lead to flooding or even a total collapse. It can also hurt the outside of your home. Consistent moisture can create a muddy yard and make certain kinds of landscaping impossible. Regular wetness can also erode your driveways and walkways. Repairing a driveway typically costs around $1,500.

Flooding and Water Damage Repair Costs

Water damage repairs cost between $1,000 and $4,000. These are among the worst problems homeowners face. Excessive moisture can damage your home's structural integrity, cause mold and mildew growth, and destroy furniture. Additionally, fixing flooding damage will require the help of licensed professionals. Attempting a DIY repair or cleanup can result in these serious threats to your family's health and safety.

Mosquitos

Excessive moisture around your home can result in a mosquito infestation. Mosquitos can spread harmful diseases to your family and pets - like Zika, Malaria, West Nile and heart worms - and make being outside unpleasant. Removing standing water from your yard will eliminate mosquitos and make your summertime landscaping a fun, and safe, place for the entire family.