By HomeGuide's national 2026 figures, a yard drainage system costs $1,000 to $4,000 on average and a French drain $10 to $35 per foot. Which fix works in Baltimore depends on whether your lot is rock or sand.
The costs shown here are national ranges that HomeGuide publishes, not our own prices. In Baltimore, boulders, groundwater, alley access and haul distance are what really set a job's cost. Figures checked October 2026.
How do I fix standing water in my yard in Baltimore?
To fix standing water, give it an outlet: regrade the low spot, add a swale to the alley or street, or install a French drain or, in sandy soil, a dry well. On Coastal Plain lots with high groundwater, raising the low area may be the only real answer.
Why does my Baltimore back yard stay soggy for days?
A back yard stays soggy when it sits lower than its neighbors, the soil is tight clay, or groundwater is close. In the rowhouse blocks, yards are often boxed in by walls and fences with no path out. A swale or drain to the alley usually fixes it.
Why does water collect against my foundation in Baltimore?
Water collects against the foundation when backfill has sunk, downspouts empty at the wall or the yard pitches in. In Baltimore basements, that shows up as wet walls and puddles. Regrading and piping the downspouts away fix most cases.
What does a French drain cost in Baltimore?
A French drain costs $10 to $35 per foot in a yard, or $500 to $8,800, by HomeGuide's French drain page. An interior basement drain costs $40 to $85 per foot.
| Length | Exterior | Interior basement |
|---|---|---|
| 50 ft | $500 to $1,800 | $2,000 to $4,300 |
| 100 ft | $1,000 to $3,500 | $4,000 to $8,500 |
| 200 ft | $2,000 to $7,000 | $8,000 to $17,000 |
What does a curtain drain or a drain around the house cost in Baltimore?
By HomeGuide's national count, a curtain drain costs $10 to $35 per foot, or $1,500 to $8,800. A perimeter drain at the footing runs $30 to $90 per foot, about $1,200 to $4,500 per side. Curtain drains suit sloped Piedmont yards where water seeps from uphill.
For a Baltimore yard, do I need a French drain or a dry well?
In clean sand, as in much of Glen Burnie, a dry well can work well; HomeGuide prices them at $300 to $1,500. In tight clay or over shallow rock, a French drain to an outlet is the better choice. Near tidal water, a high water table limits both.
How much is a swale, and when is a catch basin better?
A swale costs $250 to $1,000 by HomeGuide's figures and suits open yards. A catch basin, a grated box at a low point feeding pipe, suits paved rowhouse yards, parking pads and patios where there is no room for a swale.
How deep should a drainage ditch or drain be?
A swale is a few inches to a foot deep. A French drain is usually 18 to 24 inches deep; a footer drain sits at the base of the footing. Near the bay, a high water table may limit depth. All of them need fall to an outlet.
Can I bury my downspouts?
Yes. Downspouts can run underground in solid pipe to a pop-up emitter, a dry well in sandy soil or an approved outlet. By HomeGuide's national count, underground downspout extensions cost $150 to $350 each. Keep them out of the sanitary sewer.
Runoff from next door keeps flooding my yard. What can I do?
Talk to your neighbor first, with photos taken in a storm. Maryland's rules on surface water between neighbors turn on the facts of each case, so ask a local attorney before acting. This is general information, not legal advice. On your lot, a swale or berm can redirect the flow.
Can excavation fix a wet basement in Baltimore?
Excavation fixes a wet basement when the water comes in from outside: sunken backfill, short downspouts, a failed footer drain. We dig along the wall, the waterproofer seals it and lays drain, and we backfill with stone. Groundwater rising through the floor needs an interior drain and sump.
Want to know what your job will cost? Call or text (410) 873-7935. We visit the site and then write up the scope and price.