Before & After: Backyard Drainage and Lawn Restoration – Kenilworth

Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc. recently completed a complex backyard drainage and lawn restoration project at a private estate in the Village of Kenilworth. This project focused on correcting long-standing drainage issues while rebuilding the lawn from the ground up, resulting in a properly graded yard with improved water movement and a healthy, durable turf surface.

Due to the scope of underground infrastructure, our crews worked carefully around existing irrigation lines, electrical wiring, utility connections, and the electrical and water pump systems serving the property’s pond. Maintaining the integrity of the existing underground drainage crate system was critical to meeting Village of Kenilworth permit requirements and ensuring long-term performance.

Drainage Improvements

Removed existing sod and addressed areas impacted by poor drainage and bent grass
Excavated and replaced heavy clay soil with compost-amended soil to improve permeability
Installed 100 feet of 4-inch perforated PVC drainage pipe in a Y-shaped configuration
Wrapped drainage pipe in filter fabric and surrounded it with river rock for durability and flow
Connected the new drainage system to existing buried drainage crates tied into a pump system
Installed multiple green surface grates to efficiently capture surface water where required

Soil Preparation & Grading

Removed compromised topsoil and replaced it with fresh topsoil and compost
Fine-graded the entire backyard to eliminate low spots and improve drainage consistency
Carefully worked around gravel-based parking areas, the brick driveway, reflecting pool, and existing drainage infrastructure
Performed extensive hand-digging near sensitive areas to protect underground systems

Sod Installation

Installed mineralized Kentucky Bluegrass sod throughout the backyard
Fertilized and rolled the lawn to ensure proper root contact and a smooth, finished surface

Additional Improvements

Installed a below-grade hardware cloth barrier beneath the Ipe deck to mitigate animal intrusion
Reinstalled deck components and backfilled disturbed areas with topsoil

This project required engineering-level planning, precision installation, and careful execution beneath the surface. The finished landscape now functions as one integrated system.