Drainage & Site Work

Drainage Solutions Built to Protect the Whole Backyard.

Family-owned since 1985, Pacheco Landscape & Pool Construction provides drainage solutions, grading, site preparation, surface drains, area drains, channel drains, retaining wall drainage, and backyard water management throughout Contra Costa County and the East Bay.

Family-Owned Since 1985
Owner-Operated
Licensed, Bonded & Insured
CA License #987689
Water Management Matters

Drainage Is One of the Most Important Parts of Outdoor Construction.

Water that is not controlled properly can damage hardscape, saturate soil, create movement, affect retaining walls, undermine pool decks, and make outdoor spaces difficult to use.

Built With the Whole Property in Mind

Drainage is not just about installing a drain and hoping water disappears. It requires understanding slopes, soil conditions, collection points, discharge locations, hardscape elevations, wall drainage, pool areas, and the way water naturally moves through the property.

We look at drainage as part of the entire outdoor construction system so the finished yard performs better over time.

We Are Not the Cheapest — And That Is Okay.

Drainage problems are often caused by shortcuts: poor grading, undersized drains, bad discharge planning, missing wall drainage, or surface water being pushed into the wrong areas.

Our focus is practical water management, proper construction, clear communication, and solutions designed around the actual site conditions.

If you value doing the work correctly instead of just covering up the problem, we would appreciate the opportunity to earn your trust.

What We Build

Drainage Systems, Grading, Site Preparation, and Water Management for Outdoor Projects.

Drainage work is often part of a larger pool, remodel, hardscape, retaining wall, patio, or outdoor living project. The right solution depends on the property, soil, slope, existing improvements, and where water needs to go.

Surface Drainage

Area drains, surface drains, catch basins, channel drains, and grading adjustments to collect and redirect surface water.

Hardscape Drainage

Drainage planned around patios, pool decks, walkways, outdoor kitchens, concrete, retaining walls, and backyard structures.

Retaining Wall Drainage

Drainage behind and around walls to help reduce pressure, manage water movement, and support long-term wall performance.

Grading & Slope Correction

Site grading, slope adjustments, soil movement, and water-flow planning to help move water away from key areas.

Pool & Yard Drainage

Drainage around pools, spas, equipment areas, pool decks, auto cover vault areas, patios, lawns, and outdoor living spaces.

Complete Site Work

Drainage and site preparation coordinated with pools, remodels, hardscape, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, and landscape construction.

Area Drains
Channel Drains
Catch Basins
Surface Drainage
Retaining Wall Drainage
Grading
Slope Correction
Pool Deck Drainage
Hardscape Drainage
Site Preparation
Water Management
Backyard Drainage

Drainage Problems Usually Start Below the Surface.

Standing water, saturated soil, heaving concrete, wall pressure, muddy lawn areas, and water moving toward the home are often symptoms of a larger drainage or grading issue.

The best solution is not always the most obvious one. Good drainage work requires looking at elevations, existing slopes, soil behavior, hardscape, structures, discharge options, and how water behaves during heavy rain.

Our reputation is built one backyard at a time, and that includes the drainage details that protect the finished work.

Common Drainage Problems

Small Water Issues Can Turn Into Expensive Outdoor Problems.

Drainage issues often show up after heavy rain, after new hardscape is installed, or when existing grades no longer move water correctly.

Common Warning Signs

  • Standing water on patios, lawn areas, or side yards
  • Water collecting near the home or outdoor structures
  • Pool decks or concrete lifting, settling, or cracking
  • Water pooling around retaining walls
  • Muddy areas that stay wet long after rain
  • Drainage flowing toward the pool instead of away from it
  • Soil movement around hardscape or structures
  • Water backing up because drains are undersized, clogged, or poorly placed

Drainage Goals

  • Collect water where it naturally gathers
  • Move water away from sensitive areas
  • Protect patios, pool decks, walls, and outdoor structures
  • Reduce soil saturation where possible
  • Improve usability after rain
  • Coordinate drainage with grading and hardscape
  • Plan discharge locations responsibly
  • Support the long-term performance of the backyard
Local Soil Conditions

Contra Costa County Drainage Requires Local Experience.

Many properties in the East Bay deal with clay-heavy or expansive soils, hillside conditions, tight side yards, older drainage systems, and hardscape that may have been added over time without a complete water management plan.

Expansive Clay Soils

Clay-heavy soils can hold water, expand, shrink, and contribute to movement in concrete, patios, pool decks, and other hardscape.

Hillside & Grade Changes

Sloped properties need careful grading and water control so runoff does not create erosion, wall pressure, or water collection problems.

Older Backyard Layouts

Many older yards have patios, walls, drains, and landscaping installed at different times, which can create drainage conflicts.

Drainage solutions need to be matched to the site. A system that works on one property may not be the right answer for another.
Construction Details Matter

Drainage Should Be Planned Before the Pretty Work Goes In.

Drainage is easiest to address before patios, pool decks, walls, outdoor kitchens, planting areas, and other finished improvements are installed.

Important Drainage Considerations

  • Existing elevations and finished grades
  • Where water collects during heavy rain
  • Safe and responsible discharge locations
  • Drain size, placement, slope, and cleanout access
  • Surface water versus subsurface water concerns
  • Retaining wall drainage and backfill conditions
  • Hardscape slope and transitions
  • Coordination with pool equipment, patios, structures, and landscaping

One Contractor. One Team. One Standard.

Drainage touches nearly every part of an outdoor project: pools, patios, retaining walls, hardscape, grading, landscape areas, outdoor kitchens, and backyard structures.

When drainage is coordinated with the full project instead of treated as an afterthought, the finished yard performs better.

Our Drainage Process

Observe the Problem. Plan the Flow. Build the Solution.

Drainage work should be based on the property, not guesswork. A clear process helps us understand the issue, review site conditions, and recommend a practical approach.

1

Conversation

We discuss the drainage concern, when it happens, where water collects, and whether the issue is tied to a larger project.

2

Site Review

We review grades, slopes, hardscape, walls, pool areas, discharge options, soil conditions, and visible water paths.

3

Recommended Scope

We recommend practical drainage or site work based on what appears to be happening and how the yard is built.

4

Preparation

Work areas are opened or prepared, elevations are established, and trenching, grading, or layout begins as needed.

5

Installation

Drainage components, grading adjustments, backfill, wall drainage, hardscape tie-ins, or site work are completed.

6

Final Review

We review the finished work, cleanup, and explain the purpose of the installed drainage or site improvements.

Local Experience Matters

Drainage Solutions in Contra Costa County and the East Bay.

We provide drainage and site work throughout Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, Concord, Clayton, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Alamo, San Ramon, Martinez, and surrounding East Bay communities.

Built for Local Conditions

East Bay properties often involve expansive soils, drainage restrictions, hillside runoff, tight access, older hardscape, retaining walls, pool decks, and outdoor living spaces that need coordinated water management.

Local experience helps us plan drainage and site work more realistically.

Connected to the Whole Backyard

Drainage works best when patios, walkways, pool decks, retaining walls, landscaping, outdoor kitchens, pool equipment areas, and structures are planned together.

We can include drainage as part of a larger construction project or evaluate it as a specific concern.

Why Choose PLAPCO

Quality Over Volume. Reputation Over Shortcuts.

Homeowners choose Pacheco Landscape & Pool Construction because they want outdoor work handled carefully, communicated clearly, and built with an understanding of how each part of the property affects the next.

Family-Owned Since 1985

Our company has been built on reputation, referrals, and the pride that comes from putting the Pacheco name on every project.

Owner-Operated

We are intentionally built to stay personally involved, focused on quality, and accountable to the homeowners who trust us.

Detailed Proposals

We believe homeowners deserve clear, transparent proposals so they understand what is included before construction begins.

Complete Outdoor Construction

Drainage, grading, hardscape, pools, outdoor kitchens, retaining walls, and backyard structures can be coordinated together.

Licensed, Bonded & Insured

California Contractor License #987689 with B, C-53, and C-27 classifications.

Built to Perform

We focus on practical drainage, proper site preparation, quality materials, and outdoor construction designed for long-term use.

Drainage FAQ

Common Questions About Backyard Drainage and Site Work.

These are some of the questions homeowners often ask before addressing drainage, grading, water management, or site work in an outdoor project.

Do you install backyard drainage systems?

Yes. We install drainage solutions such as area drains, catch basins, channel drains, surface drainage, grading improvements, retaining wall drainage, and drainage tied into larger outdoor construction projects.

Why is drainage important around pools and hardscape?

Poor drainage can saturate soil, create movement, affect concrete and pool decks, increase pressure behind retaining walls, and send water toward areas where it can cause damage. Drainage should be considered before finished work is installed.

Can drainage help with clay or expansive soil?

Drainage cannot change the soil type, but proper water management can help reduce unnecessary saturation and support better long-term performance of hardscape, walls, pool areas, and outdoor structures.

Do you handle grading and site preparation?

Yes. We handle grading, slope adjustments, site preparation, drainage coordination, excavation-related work, and outdoor construction tie-ins as part of backyard projects.

Are you the cheapest drainage contractor?

No. We are not trying to be the cheapest. We focus on practical drainage planning, proper construction, clear communication, detailed proposals, and work designed around the actual property conditions.

What areas do you serve?

We serve Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, Concord, Clayton, Blackhawk, Brentwood, Alamo, San Ramon, Martinez, and surrounding East Bay communities.

Ready to Solve the Drainage Issues Holding Your Yard Back?

Whether you are dealing with standing water, poor grading, hardscape drainage, retaining wall drainage, pool area drainage, or a larger outdoor construction project, we would be happy to review your concerns and provide honest guidance.

Email: Info@PLAPCO.com • Call: 925-276-2106