At the Meijer property in Rolling Meadows, a collapsing retaining wall exposed a severe drainage failure, as water had accumulated for years due to lack of proper engineering. The sliding wall began pulling down the fence near a busy freeway, creating a serious risk to both property and drivers. Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc intervened to remove the damaged sections, install a fully engineered NDS drainage system with perforated pipe, catch basins, and geotextile layers, and rebuild the wall for lasting stability. The result is a secure retaining wall, safe surroundings, and a prime example of how over 45 years of landscaping experience solves complex, high-risk problems with dependable solutions.
For years, this homeowner’s yard, driveway, garage, and foundation flooded every time it rained. After over 45 years of solving complex drainage problems, Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc knew a simple fix wouldn’t be enough. This project required a complete, integrated NDS drainage solution that connected every part of the property. The team began with an extensive system audit using scopes to trace water flow and blockages, followed by laser-guided measurements to achieve precise grading and connectivity. They reconstructed and re-pitched the driveway with dual channel drains tied into the system, performed hydro-jet cleaning to clear years of buildup, and rebuilt and rerouted drainage lines for long-term reliability. Every component — from yard to foundation — now works as one cohesive system, keeping the property dry no matter the storm.
This Willowbrook property sat at one of the lowest points in the neighborhood, where years of heavy rainfall caused constant flooding with nowhere for the water to go. To solve it, Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc. designed a precision-engineered drainage system focused on grading, flow control, and soil balance. The team stabilized slopes with timbers, added soil and crabapple trees for structure, and finished with mulch for root protection. They regraded the entire backyard, installed new sod for stability, and built a 77-foot-long engineered swale with a 40-foot extended drain line to redirect runoff safely away from the home. What was once a floodplain is now a fully functional water management system – protecting the foundation, restoring the yard, and turning a problem property into a lush, usable landscape.
A Park Ridge homeowner took a bold step by purchasing the neighboring property and demolishing the house to create a stunning double-lot yard. Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc. brought the vision to life with over 800 rolls of sod, enriched soil, and strategic plantings that blend beauty and privacy—featuring trees like Quaking Aspen and Green Giant Arborvitae, as well as vibrant perennials and shrubs including Hydrangeas, Catmint, and Dwarf Korean Lilac. Clean-lined hardscaping with Unilock pathways, river rock accents, and a custom drainage system completed the transformation. The result: a lush, expansive landscape rarely seen in the area.
Redfin featured Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc — and this Village of Wilmette project shows exactly why.
Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc. is deep into a full transformation in the Village of Wilmette — and this one’s shaping up to be something special. It’s more than just a facelift — it’s a full-scale design-build upgrade.
Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc is creating one fully integrated system to keep this property dry and functional for years to come. This large project includes a 5,500 sq. ft. asphalt driveway combined with a custom drainage network that ties together every part of the landscape — from excavating the brick patio and resetting pavers to installing catch basins and extending downspouts.Every detail is designed to work together seamlessly so water stays where it belongs and your property looks great.
At Tommy Pollina Landscape Co. Inc we’re all about more than just curb appeal — we create functional landscaping solution that are designed to look beautifull and sove problems. This recent project is a perfect example: A backyard swale lined with medium-sized river rock boulders now redirects excess water that used to flow in from the neighbor’s yard. At the end of the swale, we installed flow wells that capture and contain the runoff underground, preventing flooding and standing water in the yard.
Another recent project in the Village of Riverwoods that required the expertise of multiple specialized crews working together to install a channel drain at the bottom of a brick driveway.
When a Village of Northfield homeowner started planning a major addition with a high-end builder, the Village stepped in and flagged an issue:
To improve drainage in the southeast area of the backyard, 17 yards of soil will be brought in to fill low spots and fine-graded to direct water toward two oak trees. A swale will be installed in the middle of the low area, pitched from right to left to drain between the trees. To enhance water collection, an 82-foot French drain system will be installed, with one section running through the swale and another along the east side of the yard, starting 10 feet south of the fence and connecting to the first drain. The project will conclude with final grading to ensure proper drainage, leaving the area ready for seeding.
Custom Drainage Solution Spanning Over Two Football Fields. At Tommy Pollina Landscape, we recently broke ground on a full-scale drainage project unlike any other—a custom system that extends the length of more than two football fields in durable PVC piping. Designed to eliminate chronic flooding and transform unusable outdoor space, this is a shining example of what over 45 years of drainage expertise can achieve.
Today we started a project where we are burying the downspouts and sump pump discharge underground and engineering them to flow into one fully integrated drainage system. Instead of water running out onto the lawn and causing flooding, everything will be directed safely underground, keeping the yard dry and usable. By connecting the roof runoff and sump pump into one streamlined system, we’re preventing standing water, protecting the foundation, and following all city of Des Plaines guidelines. Solving Landscape and Outdoor Problems For over 45 years
Northbrook Backyard Drainage Installation Plan: Catch Basin, French Drain Installation, Secondary Catch Basin Installation, Additional French Drains, Final Catch Basin & Solid PVC Drainage Installation, Lawn Restoration & Finishing Touches.