Regrading might help, but honestly, it’s a bigger project than most folks expect. I went down that rabbit hole a few years back—rented a skid steer, thought I’d just “smooth things out.” Turns out, water’s stubborn and will always find the lowest point, no matter how much dirt you move. If you’ve got a persistent low spot, you might be fighting a losing battle unless you really commit to reshaping the whole area.
Have you ever tried running a perforated drain pipe (like a French drain) from that soggy spot out to the street or a lower part of your property? It’s not as intimidating as it sounds—just need a decent trench and some gravel. I put one in after getting tired of my side yard turning into a mud pit every spring. It made a huge difference, especially when draining the pool or after heavy rain.
Also, about those hoses—totally agree on the blue ones being junk. I switched to contractor-grade black poly tubing for big jobs. It’s not cheap up front, but it doesn’t get brittle in the sun and handles pressure better. Layflat hoses are okay if you baby them, but they’re not built for dragging around corners or sitting in UV all summer.
Curious—how big is your yard, and do you have any slope at all to work with? Sometimes even a slight grade can be enough if you can direct the water away from trouble spots. Or maybe there’s an alley or easement nearby where you could run excess water? Just thinking out loud here... sometimes the solution is less about fighting nature and more about giving water an easier path out.
If you’ve got even a little slope, you’re halfway there—water just needs a nudge in the right direction. I’ve seen folks try to “fight” the puddle with more dirt, but unless you’re ready for a full-on landscaping adventure, a French drain is way less drama. Ever tried popping a sump pump in that low spot and running a hose out to the curb? Not pretty, but it’s saved my bacon during big storms. Just curious, are there any trees or roots in the way where you’d want to trench? Those can be a pain...
French drains are great, but man, digging around roots is a nightmare. I tried it once and ended up with a busted shovel and a cranky maple tree. If you’ve got big roots, maybe try surface drains or even those temporary pool discharge bags? Less digging, less drama.
French drains are great, but man, digging around roots is a nightmare.
Totally get where you’re coming from—roots can turn a simple job into a real headache. Here’s what I’ve seen work: if you’re set on draining the pool without flooding the yard, try laying out a flexible discharge hose and running it downhill, away from trees and landscaping. If you’ve got a slope, gravity does most of the work. For flatter yards, those temporary pool discharge bags are handy, but just keep an eye on them so they don’t overflow. I’ve also used shallow surface trenches lined with landscape fabric—less digging, and you can dodge most of the big roots. Just takes a bit of planning to route the water where you want it.
For flatter yards, those temporary pool discharge bags are handy, but just keep an eye on them so they don’t overflow.
That bit about "shallow surface trenches lined with landscape fabric" actually sounds doable—much less intimidating than hacking through roots like some kind of backyard lumberjack. Has anyone tried using those plastic drainage channels you see at hardware stores? I’m wondering if they’re any easier to install around roots, or if they just end up getting clogged with leaves and stuff. My last attempt at a “simple” yard project turned into a mud wrestling match with a stubborn maple root, so I’m hoping there’s a less dramatic option out there...
