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Yard Drainage & Erosion Control in Las Vegas, NV

Quick answer

Drainage problems in Las Vegas usually come from monsoon storms on hard, slow-absorbing soil, roof drains discharging near the house, and irrigation leaks. Common fixes include regrading, dry washes, area drains with solid pipe and rock armoring at outlets. Water should go to the street or a designed drainage path, not a neighbor's lot.

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It rains so little in Las Vegas that drainage can seem like a non-issue, until a summer monsoon storm dumps a lot of water in a short time. Hard desert soil, caliche and rock-covered yards absorb water slowly, so storm water runs fast, carries gravel onto sidewalks, pools against foundations and block walls, and cuts channels through decomposed granite. On the other side of the problem, overwatering and leaks cause much of the year-round soggy ground and wall damage seen in valley yards.

Signs you have a drainage problem

  • Water standing against the house, a slab or a block wall after a storm
  • Rock mulch or decomposed granite washed onto walkways, driveways or the street
  • Channels cut through gravel areas or along side yards
  • White mineral crust, efflorescence or stucco damage at the base of walls
  • Constantly wet soil near drip lines or valves, which often points to a leak

Common solutions

  • Regrading: reshaping soil so it slopes away from the house and toward a planned outlet, such as the street or a drainage easement your lot was designed for.
  • Dry washes: rock-lined channels that carry storm water across a desert yard and look natural the rest of the year.
  • Downspout and roof-drain routing: many valley homes have flat or tile roofs that drain to a few spots. Carrying that water away from the foundation matters.
  • Area drains and solid pipe: catch basins in patios and side yards tied to pipe that daylights at a safe outlet.
  • Rock and boulder armoring: larger rock at outlets and on slopes slows water and keeps it from scouring.
  • Leak repair and irrigation fixes: often the cheapest drainage fix of all.

Using storm water instead of losing it

Shallow basins around trees and planting areas can catch roof and yard runoff so it soaks in where plants can use it. Keep them away from foundations and walls, and make sure overflow has somewhere safe to go in a big storm.

Where the water goes matters

Most valley subdivisions were graded to send water to the street or to designed drainage paths, and block walls often have weep openings for that purpose. Blocking those paths, or sending concentrated water onto a neighbor's lot, can create disputes and liability. The Clark County Regional Flood Control District and your city manage the larger flood channels and washes. If your lot borders a wash or a drainage easement, check with your city or Clark County before building or grading near it.

Licensing and digging

Nevada's C-10 landscape license covers grading for landscaping, landscape drainage systems and erosion control. Work worth $1,000 or more, including labor and materials, generally requires a licensed contractor, which you can verify on the Nevada State Contractors Board site. Before trenching, the contractor should contact USA North 811 at least two working days ahead so utilities are marked.

Before you hire

  • Take video during the next storm showing where water enters and leaves the yard.
  • Check whether a leaking valve or drip line is causing a wet spot that has nothing to do with rain.
  • Ask the contractor where the water will ultimately go and how the outlet will be protected.
  • Ask how they'll protect existing irrigation lines while trenching.

If water is actively undermining a wall, slab or driveway, mark your request urgent. Request a drainage company.

See how it works

How a French drain carries water away from a yard. Press the buttons to run each step and see what happens inside. Made with Colorfigures ·
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Frequently asked questions

Why does my yard flood when it barely rains in Las Vegas?

Desert soil, caliche and compacted gravel absorb water slowly, so a short, heavy monsoon storm runs off fast. Grading, dry washes and good roof drainage keep that water moving to a safe outlet.

Why is there white crust at the bottom of my block wall?

Mineral crust usually means water keeps wetting the wall, often from sprinklers, drip lines or poor drainage. Fixing the water source matters more than cleaning the wall.

Can I build near the wash behind my house?

Washes and drainage easements are often managed by your city, Clark County or the Regional Flood Control District. Check with them before grading, building or placing anything that could block flow.

Sources and further reading

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