Why drainage is different in New Orleans

Our city’s flat grades, clay lenses, and high water table—plus Gulf storms—make backyard drainage a design problem, not just a product purchase. Done right, stormwater moves safely away from your home, protects foundations and hardscapes, and keeps lawns usable after rain.

Louisiana Land Art delivers stormwater solutions that blend engineering with landscape design.

Goal: control where water goes, how fast it gets there, and what it does on the way.

How we diagnose a yard (fast checklist)

Grades: Laser levels to map high/low points; target 1–2% falls where possible.
Soils: Identify clay vs. sandy lenses to decide infiltration vs. conveyance.
Roof runoff: Downspout count, roof area, discharge points, and splash zones.
Hardscapes: Decks, walks, and driveways that may trap water.
Outfall options: Legal discharge to curb, subsurface system (if present), or managed detention with controlled release. (We never send water onto neighboring property.)

The New Orleans stormwater tool kit

1) Grading & swales

We re‑shape lawns subtly to create positive drainage away from the house, guiding water into shallow, mowable swales that feed catch basins or rain gardens.

2) French drains (subsurface)

For soggy zones and fence lines. Typical build:

Trench 12–18" wide, sloped ≥ 1% to an outfall
Non‑woven geotextile wrap
#57 washed stone
4" perforated PVC (SDR‑35) or ADS HDPE with cleanouts
Fabric wrap/top dress to keep fines out

3) Channel/slot drains (surface)

Across patios, garage aprons, or pool decks to intercept sheet flow. We specify traffic‑rated grates where vehicles cross and tie outlets into gravity or pump systems.

4) Downspout capture & conveyance

Bury downspouts to a header line with cleanouts and a pop‑up emitter or curb tie‑in (with approval). Add leaf filters at the source for low maintenance.

6) Permeable & pedestal paving

Permeable pavers over open‑graded base or pedestal‑set porcelain on roof deck‑style pedestals allow water to pass through joints to a managed bed—great for courtyards and pool decks.

7) Rain gardens & micro‑detention

Where soils allow, shallow basins planted with natives slow and clean runoff before controlled release. They double as beautiful habitat.

We avoid old‑school “dry wells”—they’re rarely effective with our water table and clays.

Construction details we don’t skip

Deck slopes: 1–2% away from structures; consistent planes to prevent birdbaths.
Joints & edges: Expansion joints between slabs/walls; concrete collars around drains.
Cleanouts: At line starts, direction changes, and every 75–100'.
Materials: SDR‑35/PVC for gravity mains; Schedule 40 for risers; solvent‑welded fittings; ASTM‑rated geotextiles.
Root zones: Route lines outside critical root areas of oaks/citrus when possible; use air‑spade mitigation when needed.
Outfall: Daylight on erosion stone, curb cores with approved sleeves, or pumped discharge—always to legal locations.

Planting that loves wet‑to‑dry cycles

Perennials/Grasses: Louisiana iris (Iris giganticaerulea), muhly grass, soft rush (Juncus effusus), spider lily, pickerelweed.
Shrubs/Trees: Sweet olive, dwarf palmetto, wax myrtle (in larger spaces), sasanqua camellia, buttonbush for rain gardens.
Avoid thirsty turf in shaded, low spots; consider turf alternatives or strategic regrading.

Hardscape strategies that help

Widen walks or add steppers to hop across swales.
Use permeable pavers for new parking bays and paths.
Upgrade to pedestal‑set porcelain or well‑sloped stone for patios.
Add slot drains at door thresholds and garage aprons.

Our design‑build process

Consultation & mapping – Laser levels, soil checks, utility locates, photo logs.
Solution plan – Grading plan with spot elevations, pipe routes, inlets, outfalls, and planting.
Permit coordination – If curb cores or right‑of‑way work is required, we handle the paperwork.
Construction – Erosion control, rough grade, drainage install, final grade, hardscape/planting.
Verification – Hose test and/or storm observation; client walk‑through.
Care guide – Maintenance schedule and seasonal storm checklist.

Storm‑season checklist (save this)

Clear gutters & downspout filters before rain events.
Verify channel and area drains are free of debris.
Set pumps to auto and test float switches.
Lift low items (grills, cushions) onto higher pads.
After major storms, flush lines from cleanouts and check basins for sediment.

Frequently asked questions

Will a French drain fix my whole yard?
It can help, but drainage works best as a system: grading + inlets + conveyance + outfall. We design the right combination for your site.

Can you tie into the street?
Sometimes. A curb core or connection to approved subsurface drains may be permitted case‑by‑case. We never discharge onto sidewalks or neighbors’ yards.

What about mosquitoes?
Moving water and quick drainage reduce breeding. We design systems to drain down and avoid stagnant pockets.

Will this help my foundation and slab?
Directing water away from structures, maintaining correct slab exposure, and controlling irrigation overspray all reduce heave/settlement risk.

Backyard Drainage & Stormwater Solutions in New Orleans