When a homeowner in Bloomfield Hills was referred to Grow Garden and Landscape Design by a previous client, they were facing a significant drainage problem. Their two-acre property, which extended toward a creek connected to the Rouge River watershed, had become increasingly saturated with standing water. Portions of the lawn remained unusable for extended periods, and after nearly four months without mowing, the property had become difficult to maintain.
After evaluating the site during winter, our team developed a comprehensive drainage strategy designed to intercept, collect, and redirect excess water away from the lawn while preserving the property’s natural appearance.
Several factors contributed to the drainage issues across the property:
Because the property sloped toward a creek, simply regrading the lawn would not provide a long-term solution. A comprehensive drainage system was required to manage water movement across the entire site.
Timing was critical.
After assessing the property during winter, we scheduled the project for early March. This narrow seasonal window allowed us to perform excavation while the ground remained partially frozen, reducing disturbance to the landscape and providing access to areas that would otherwise be too wet to support heavy equipment.
With snow still present on portions of the property, excavation began before spring thaw conditions fully developed.
To effectively manage water movement across the property, our team installed a custom drainage system extending from the rear creek line to the base of the home.
Backfilled and restored all disturbed areas
Each drainage line extended more than 200 feet, creating over 600 feet of underground drainage infrastructure designed to move excess water away from vulnerable areas of the property.
One of the most important aspects of the project was maintaining proper elevation throughout the drainage system.
Near the home, drain tile was installed approximately six inches below grade. As the system progressed toward the creek, depths increased to nearly three and a half feet, allowing water to flow naturally toward the discharge point.
This carefully calculated grade ensured consistent water movement without creating erosion issues or future drainage failures.
Once the drainage infrastructure was completed, the property was given time to thaw, settle, and dry naturally.
In late April, our team returned to perform final grading operations. With improved soil conditions, we were able to reshape the landscape, restore proper contours, and eliminate low areas that previously collected water.
After grading was completed, we prepared a healthy seed bed throughout disturbed portions of the lawn and completed the restoration process.
The completed project transformed a waterlogged and difficult-to-maintain property into a functional outdoor space capable of handling seasonal moisture and runoff.
The new drainage system now:
Most importantly, the homeowner received a long-term drainage solution tailored specifically to the property’s unique topography and relationship to the adjacent creek system.
Many properties throughout Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Franklin, and surrounding Oakland County communities experience drainage challenges caused by:
Addressing these problems requires more than surface-level fixes. Successful drainage projects begin with understanding how water moves across a property and implementing systems designed for long-term performance.
If you are looking to create a custom outdoor living space with features like a putting green, patio, privacy landscaping, or sod installation, Grow Garden & Landscape Design is here to help. Contact our team to discuss your project and start planning your outdoor transformation.
Large properties often face drainage issues due to clay-heavy soil, natural low spots, poor grading, and water runoff from roofs and surrounding land. In this case, the proximity to a creek also contributed to excess water accumulation.
A drain tile system is a perforated underground pipe that collects excess groundwater and redirects it to a designated outlet. In this project, the system was designed to move water from the house and yard toward the nearby creek.
Due to the size of the property and severity of water buildup, three separate drainage runs were installed. This allowed for better coverage, faster water collection, and more efficient movement of water across the entire site.
The drain tile was installed at varying depths depending on location, approximately 6 inches below grade near the home and up to 3.5 feet deep near the creek to maintain proper slope and gravity flow.
The installation was done in early March when the ground was still partially frozen, which allowed for excavation. The grading and lawn restoration were completed later in spring after the soil had thawed and stabilized.
Yes. After drainage and grading are completed, we prepare the soil and re-establish turf through seeding or other restoration methods to bring the landscape back to a healthy, usable condition.
