West Seattle Swale construction

Homeowner’s Issue

West Seattle properties — from the bluff near Alki to the steeper lots around High Point and Delridge — deal with a familiar set of drainage headaches. The neighborhood sits on a mix of glacial till, compacted fill, and pockets of clay that hold water. Add 35–40 inches of annual rainfall concentrated in November–March, the shady north slopes that favor moss, and you get repeated surface runoff, soggy lawns, basement seepage and soil wash on driveways and sidewalks.

Many yards have shallow grades that send water toward foundations or into storm drains, while steeper lots see rills and erosion down the hill. Common plant pressures include ivy, invasive blackberries, and lawn moss where shade and moisture combine. Summer’s dry spells can harden compacted soils, making infiltration worse by late season. HOAs and curbside visibility matter here — a poorly handled drainage fix can look temporary, attract complaints, or violate neighborhood aesthetic expectations.

A properly sized, planted swale slows flows, increases infiltration, and filters sediments without pesticides. It’s a long-term fix for runoff that protects your house, protects Alki and Lincoln Park shoreline quality, and keeps your curb appeal steady through West Seattle’s wet season and the dry summer window when plants need extra attention.

Our Quality Service

We design and install functional bioswales built for West Seattle microclimates. Our crew starts with a property assessment, checks existing grades and utilities, then lays out a swale that follows natural contours. We use hand tools and mini-excavators for precision, compost and native soil amendments to improve infiltration, and only sustainable materials—no herbicides.

Typical timeline: small yard swale in 1 day, medium projects 1–3 days, larger or multi-run systems staged over a week. We factor in seasonal timing: prefer fall or early spring installs when the soil is workable and plants establish before summer dry spells. We operate with clean trucks, tarps to protect beds, and on-site sediment control to keep neighboring sidewalks and drains clear.

Benefits: reduced standing water, safer walkways, stabilized slopes, lower maintenance mowing edges, and a landscape feature that improves curb appeal while routing runoff away from foundations.

What’s Included

• Site assessment and grade plan.
• Excavation and grading to designed slope and capacity.
• Soil amendments (compost) and planting with native sedges, rushes, and other wet-tolerant species.
• Mulch or gravel stabilization in flow zones.
• Final grading, light seeding or planting, and settling checks.

Options / upgrades:

• Mulch + landscape fabric under rock in high-traffic swales.
• Organic weed control and invasive plant removal (manual removal, repeated follow-ups).
• Haul-away of spoil vs. Green Bin / compost drop-off (we’ll sort and advise).
• Erosion-control rock or check-dams for steep sections.
• Seasonal maintenance plans (spring check, fall clearing).

Before & After / Expectations

Expect some temporary disruption: noise from excavation equipment, a work area with soil piles, and wetness while the site settles. For a standard swale we leave the site clean each day and return to finish planting and settling checks. Access: we need 3–12 feet clear for equipment on most installs; narrow access may increase labor/time.

After installation:

• New plants will need regular watering for the first two growing seasons except during heavy rain periods.
• Expect higher weed pressure first spring/summer as exposed soil settles; we use mulches and hand-weeding to suppress growth.
• Moss and ivy require targeted manual removal before planting; we do not use chemical herbicides.
• For steep properties, some rock armor or check-dams reduce scouring; these are durable and low-maintenance.

Care tips for West Seattle:

• Best watering window: morning, during dry weeks in June–Sept, deep soak twice weekly for transplants.
• Planting in fall gives roots a head start on winter rains.
• Keep leaves and debris out of the swale’s inlet; clear monthly in wet season.

FAQs

Q: How long until the swale works?
A: It functions immediately for surface flows; full infiltration benefit improves as soil amendments settle and plants mature (6–18 months).

Q: Will I need a permit?
A: Small private swales often don’t need a city grading permit, but large regrades or curb alterations may. We advise and check with Seattle permitting as part of the quote.

Q: How often will it need maintenance?
A: Minimal — seasonal checks in fall and spring plus a couple of hand-weeding visits the first year. Upgrade to a maintenance plan if you want hands-off care.

Q: Do you use chemicals for weeds?
A: No. We use organic and mechanical control only: manual removal, mulches, and repeat follow-ups to suppress invasives.

Call to Action

West Seattle homeowners: if runoff, soggy yards, or erosion are wearing you down, book a free estimate. We schedule quick assessments, give straightforward pricing, and recommend the most sustainable, long-lasting fix for your lot — no fluff. Trust local crews who know Alki bluff runs, High Point slopes, and Delridge drainage quirks.

Email to book: neatandtidyseattle@gmail.com
Phone: 206-538-9344

Licensed & insured. Free estimates and clear, local advice.