Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about drainage, French drains, stormwater management, and the services we provide.
French Drains
What is a French drain and how does it work?
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects water underground. Water seeps through the gravel, enters the pipe, and flows to a safe discharge point away from your home. It's one of the most effective ways to manage subsurface water and prevent pooling in yards or near foundations.
How long does it take to install a French drain?
Most residential French drain projects take 1-3 days depending on the length of the drain, soil conditions, and site accessibility. We'll give you a timeline estimate after assessing your property.
Will a French drain damage my landscaping?
There will be some disruption during installation since we need to dig a trench. However, we restore the surface after the work is complete, and most lawns recover within a few weeks. We take care to minimize impact on existing plants and hardscaping.
Buried Downspouts
Why should I bury my downspouts?
Burying downspouts moves roof water away from your foundation through underground pipes instead of letting it dump right next to your house. This prevents erosion, reduces basement moisture issues, and eliminates unsightly above-ground extensions that get in the way of mowing and landscaping.
Where does the water go when downspouts are buried?
The underground pipes carry water to a discharge point away from your home—typically 10 feet or more from your foundation. We usually install pop-up emitters that release water at ground level, or we can connect to a dry well or storm drain if available.
Sump Pump Discharge
My sump pump just dumps water next to my house. Is that a problem?
Yes, this is a common issue. When sump pump water discharges too close to your foundation, it often seeps back into the ground and returns to your basement—making your pump work harder and potentially causing moisture problems. A proper discharge line carries the water far enough away that it won't recirculate.
Can sump pump discharge lines freeze in winter?
We install discharge lines with proper slope so water drains completely after each pump cycle, which helps prevent freezing. Pop-up emitters also allow any ice buildup to push out rather than backing up into the system.
Stormwater Management
What is stormwater management?
Stormwater management is the overall approach to controlling how rainwater moves across your property. Instead of letting water pool, erode landscaping, or seep into your basement, we design systems that capture and redirect it safely. This might include French drains, buried downspouts, grading, catch basins, or a combination of solutions.
How do I know if I need drainage work?
Common signs include standing water in your yard after rain, soggy areas that never dry out, water in your basement or crawl space, erosion near your foundation, or downspouts creating puddles next to your house. If water is causing problems on your property, drainage improvements can usually help.
Do I need a permit for drainage work?
Permit requirements vary by municipality. Most residential drainage projects don't require permits, but some do—especially if we're connecting to a municipal storm drain. We'll let you know if your project needs one.
Excavation
What equipment do you use for excavation?
We use appropriately sized equipment for each job—from compact machines for tight residential spaces to larger equipment when needed. For very tight areas or sensitive locations, we can hand-dig. We always coordinate with utility locating services before any excavation.
How do you handle underground utilities?
Before any digging, we coordinate with MISS DIG (Michigan's utility locating service) to have underground utilities marked. This is a critical safety step we complete on every project. If utilities are in the work area, we plan around them or hand-dig as needed.
Foundation Crack Injection
Can you fix cracks in my basement walls?
Yes, we repair foundation cracks using injection methods. We inject specialized materials that fill the crack completely and cure to form a waterproof seal. This works well for vertical or diagonal cracks in poured concrete walls that are leaking or could leak in the future.
Is crack injection a permanent repair?
Crack injection seals the existing crack, and quality materials are designed to last the life of the foundation. However, injection doesn't prevent new cracks from forming elsewhere. If the underlying cause (like poor drainage) isn't addressed, you may see new cracks develop over time.
General
Do you do basement waterproofing?
Our focus is on exterior drainage solutions—French drains, buried downspouts, grading, and other work that manages water before it reaches your foundation. We also do foundation crack injection. For full interior basement waterproofing systems, we can assess your situation and let you know if our services would help or if you'd benefit from a waterproofing specialist.
How do I get an estimate?
Contact us to schedule a site visit. We'll walk your property, discuss your concerns, and put together an estimate based on what we find. There's no charge for the initial assessment and estimate.
Still Have Questions?
Every property is different. If you didn't find the answer you're looking for, or if you want to discuss your specific situation, we're happy to help.
Request an EstimateReady to Solve Your Drainage Problem?
Contact us for a free site assessment. We'll evaluate your property and recommend the right solution.