Serving: Pierce, Kitsap, Mason and Thurston counties
The Hidden Costs of Lot Clearing Near Kitsap County, WA
Why Drainage Matters in Kitsap County, WA
If you live in Kitsap County, WA, you already know how quickly a heavy rain can turn your yard into a swamp. One day, your lawn looks fine. The next, there’s standing water, a soggy mess around your foundation, or worse a damp, musty smell in the basement.
Homeowners around Port Orchard, WA, Bremerton, WA, and Gig Harbor, WA all face the same worry: what is this water going to do to my home long-term? Will it ruin the landscaping I’ve invested in? Will it eat away at my foundation? Will it lower my property’s value?
We get it. At TH Excavation, we’ve seen firsthand how water problems go from a nuisance to a costly repair. That’s why drainage isn’t just about comfort — it’s about protecting your biggest investment.
What Makes a Drainage System Work Best in Our Region
Not all drainage solutions are created equal. What works in a drier county may fail in Kitsap County, WA’s saturated soils and steep slopes. Here are the biggest factors we look at:
Soil type: Our region’s mix of clay and loamy soils holds water longer, meaning poor drainage can linger.
Slope and grading: Rainwater follows gravity. If your yard slopes toward your home, water will head straight for your foundation.
Runoff volume: Kitsap County, WA rainfall isn’t light. Systems need to handle a lot of water in a short period of time.
A good system doesn’t just move water away — it does it consistently, even when the ground is already saturated from weeks of rain.
French Drains: Still the King of Yard Drainage
When most people think of yard drainage, French drains are the first solution that comes to mind — and for good reason.
A French drain is essentially a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe. Water seeps into the pipe and is redirected away from your home or low spot in the yard.
Best uses in Kitsap County, WA:
Soggy lawns that never seem to dry out
Water pooling around foundations
Redirecting water from uphill neighbors
Pros: Reliable, long-lasting, and effective against groundwater.
Cons: Requires trenching and can be more costly upfront.
If your yard feels like a sponge after a storm, a French drain often ranks as the #1 solution.
Dry Wells: A Simple Fix That Packs a Punch
A dry well is an underground pit filled with stone or concrete chambers where water collects and slowly seeps into the surrounding soil.
Best uses in Kitsap County, WA:
Areas where water collects but there’s no easy downhill escape route
Downspout runoff from gutters
Pros: Relatively affordable, low maintenance.
Cons: Works best in soils that drain moderately well. In heavy clay, performance can drop.
Dry wells aren’t always the star of the show, but in the right location, they solve problems quickly and at a lower cost.
Catch Basins and Channel Drains: Surface Water Control
If water pours down your driveway or collects on patios, you need a surface-level solution.
Catch basins are buried boxes that collect surface water and connect to underground pipes.
Channel drains are long, grated trenches that collect water across driveways or flat surfaces.
Best uses in Kitsap County, WA:
Driveways that slope toward garages
Patios and walkways that flood
Low spots where water visibly collects
Pros: Excellent at capturing heavy surface runoff.
Cons: Requires regular cleaning to prevent clogs.
Think of these as storm drains for your property — they handle fast-moving rain where it lands.
Swales and Grassy Channels: Natural, Low-Cost Drainage
Sometimes the best system doesn’t involve pipes at all. A swale is a shallow, grassy ditch that channels water to a safe location.
Best uses in Kitsap County, WA:
Large properties with space for water to flow naturally
Eco-friendly homeowners who want a “green” solution
Pros: Budget-friendly, low maintenance, blends with landscaping.
Cons: Needs enough yard space and regular mowing.
For homeowners with bigger lots, swales can quietly do the job without expensive underground systems.
Sump Pumps: The Last Line of Defense for Basements
Not every home in Kitsap County, WA has a basement, but for those that do, water intrusion is a constant concern. A sump pump is installed in a pit at the lowest point of the basement, pumping water out whenever levels rise.
Best uses in Kitsap County, WA:
Homes with basements prone to flooding
Properties with high groundwater levels
Pros: Highly effective at keeping basements dry.
Cons: Relies on electricity and needs occasional servicing.
If you’ve ever had a basement flood, you know how valuable a sump pump can be.
Ranking the Best Drainage Systems for Kitsap County, WA’s Heavy Rainfall
So, which systems actually perform best in our climate? Here’s how we’d rank them for Kitsap County, WA homeowners:
French Drains – The most versatile, long-term solution.
Catch Basins/Channel Drains – Best for driveways and surface runoff.
Dry Wells – Affordable fix when soil conditions allow.
Swales – Great natural solution if space isn’t a problem.
Sump Pumps – Crucial for basements, but more of a backup than a first line.
Every home is different, but this ranking shows which systems stand up best to Kitsap County, WA’s relentless rainfall.
Common Drainage Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best system fails if it’s poorly installed. Here are mistakes we see most often:
Installing pipes without proper slope
Using gravel that clogs instead of drains
Forgetting to plan for overflow during extreme storms
Relying on “quick fixes” like extending downspouts without addressing grading
Avoiding these mistakes can save thousands down the road.
How to Choose the Right Drainage Contractor in Kitsap County, WA
Choosing the right system starts with choosing the right contractor. Here’s what to look for:
Local experience: Kitsap County, WA’s soils and rainfall are unique — local know-how matters.
Customization: No two yards are alike. If someone offers a cookie-cutter solution, be cautious.
Clear communication: A good contractor should explain why they recommend a specific system.
At TH Excavation, we serve Kitsap County, WA, along with Pierce County, WA, Mason County, WA, and Thurston County, WA. We’ve built our reputation on customizing solutions to fit each property — because what works in Port Orchard, WA may not work in Shelton, WA or Tacoma, WA.
Final Thoughts: Staying Dry and Protecting Your Property
Heavy rainfall is part of life here in Kitsap County, WA, but water problems don’t have to be. With the right system in place, you can keep your lawn usable, your basement dry, and your foundation safe.
The key is choosing a drainage solution that matches your property’s unique challenges. When done right, it’s an investment that protects your home for decades.
