From the desk of Bob Carr, TLC Incorporated
If you live in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, you know how tricky our weather can be — long dry spells followed by sudden, heavy rains that flood driveways, soak basements, and turn backyards into muddy messes.
After forty years in the business, I can tell you: what most folks call “a soggy yard problem” is really a drainage design problem. The good news is, there’s almost always a fix — and it doesn’t have to tear up your whole property to get it done right.
Let’s talk about what’s happening in Upper Marlboro yards, why the problem keeps coming back, and what my TLC team can do to keep your yard dry for good.
1. Why Drainage Problems Are So Common in Upper Marlboro
Our area sits on a mix of clay-heavy soil and gentle hills — a combination that traps water instead of letting it soak in. The neighborhoods off Old Crain Highway, Marlboro Pike, and Route 301 are classic examples: beautiful homes with poor surface runoff.
Once the soil compacts and the water can’t infiltrate, it simply follows gravity — usually straight toward the foundation, the driveway, or the neighbor’s yard.
Other common causes:
- Downspouts emptying too close to the house
• Settled soil near foundations
• Improper grading after construction
• Driveways that act like mini rivers
• Clogged sump pump lines or disconnected drains
When that happens, the water has nowhere to go — so it finds a way in.
2. The Real Cost of Ignoring Yard Drainage Issues
A soggy lawn might seem harmless at first, but it’s often the first warning sign of bigger issues below the surface.
Unchecked drainage can cause:
• Basement leaks and foundation cracks
• Erosion under patios and walkways
• Mosquito breeding and turf death
• Standing water that freezes in winter, creating ice hazards
At TLC, we’ve seen homeowners spend thousands repairing basement walls when the real fix would’ve been a few hundred feet of proper drainage pipe years earlier. It’s why we always say: You can pay for drainage now — or pay for damage later.
3. TLC’s Proven Drainage Solutions for Upper Marlboro Homes
Every yard tells its own story, but the best solutions almost always come down to a few tried-and-true methods we’ve perfected here in Prince George’s County.
French Drains
A French drain is an underground trench lined with gravel and a perforated pipe. It collects groundwater and surface runoff, channeling it away from problem areas. Best for: long soggy areas, side yards, or lawn depressions where water lingers for days.
Downspout Extensions
Most of the water around a home starts right at the roof. When those gutters dump gallons of water right beside the foundation, trouble begins fast. We install underground downspout extensions — solid pipes that carry the water 20–50 feet away, usually to daylight or a safe dispersal point downhill.
Dry Wells
Dry wells are underground basins that collect and slowly disperse runoff back into the soil. We often install these in yards without a natural slope outlet — especially helpful in newer Marlboro developments with small lots.
Catch Basins and Channel Drains
If you’ve ever had a patio or driveway flood every time it rains, this is your fix. We place inlets right at the low points to capture water before it builds up, then connect them to buried piping.
Regrading & Swales
Sometimes gravity just needs a gentle push. By re-shaping a lawn’s slope and creating subtle swales (shallow channels), we can redirect surface runoff exactly where it should go — without changing the look of your yard.
4. The TLC Installation Process
We don’t believe in cookie-cutter drainage work. Every project begins with a careful on-site inspection where we measure elevations, observe how the land drains after a rain, and even use digital levels to spot subtle slopes invisible to the eye.
Then we:
1. Map out your existing water flow.
2. Identify the sources of runoff — downspouts, sump lines, or high ground nearby.
3. Design a tailored system (or combination of systems) that fits your yard’s shape, soil, and landscaping.
4. Install with precision — always using commercial-grade piping, proper filter fabric, and backfilled stone to prevent clogging.
5. Restore and reseed so when we leave, it looks like we were never there.
And yes, every TLC system comes with our Workmanship Guarantee — because drainage done right should last decades.
5. Local Knowledge Makes the Difference
Upper Marlboro sits in a bowl of slow-draining land, especially near older neighborhoods like Marlboro Meadows, Melwood Park, and Brock Hall. We’ve learned through experience how local soil behaves after a storm — and we use that insight to design systems that hold up year after year.
That local expertise also helps us navigate county drainage codes and stormwater management rules, ensuring that what we install works and stays compliant.
6. When’s the Best Time to Fix Yard Drainage?
The ideal time is late summer through fall. The ground is still soft enough for digging, and we can test the system before winter’s freeze. By the time spring rains arrive, your yard’s already protected.
We also offer winter scheduling with pre-booking — so you can lock in early-bird pricing and have our crew ready as soon as the ground thaws.
7. The TLC Difference
Some companies see drainage as just another line item. For us, it’s part of a much bigger picture — protecting the home you’ve invested in. When we design a drainage plan, we think about:
- How the water moves through your property year-round
• How the system will look once grass grows back
• How we can blend it with your landscape lighting or irrigation lines
• How to give you the best long-term value, not the cheapest short-term fix
That’s what we mean by the TLC Way — thoughtful, lasting craftsmanship.
8. Let’s Keep Your Yard Dry, Upper Marlboro
If your yard has been soggy for years, or your basement smells damp after every storm, don’t wait until the next big downpour. Let’s solve it once and for all.
Call TLC Incorporated today, or scan the QR code below to schedule a free on-site drainage evaluation. We’ll bring the right tools, the right experience, and the TLC touch that’s kept local homeowners dry and happy for decades.
From my family to yours — thank you for trusting us with your home.
— Bob Carr
President, TLC Incorporated