Welcome to Wilmington French Drain Pros

Wet basements and other assorted drainage problems are a common plight for Wilmington, NC homeowners. Moreover, although signs of poor drainage are concerning, they're usually not urgent. That makes them easy to ignore.

French drains can correct drainage problems, but many homeowners wonder whether a French drain installation is worth the cost.

Instead of wondering, learn all you can about it. Equipped with a thorough understanding of what this installation has to offer, you can confidently decide whether it would be a worthwhile investment in your home.

French Drains: What Exactly Are They?

There are indoor French drains and outdoor French drains. Outdoor varieties can prevent soggy grounds and flooded basements. They are basically trenches with perforated pipes that are covered with gravel.

These trenches angle away from your home. They trap excess ground and surface water and direct it away from your basement. The lowest point of the drain will be the exit point for the water.

How Do French Drains Operate?

Water consistently seeks the lowest point. There, it drains into loose soil and air pockets. French drains funnel that water into a sunken channel that contains freely draining gravel. The gravel causes the water to drain out of the surrounding soil.

The result is a reduction in static water pressure on basement walls. That, in turn, keeps walls dry and reduces the potential for leaks and seepage.

To achieve proper drainage, the trenches and pipes rely on gravity to move water from waterlogged soil to desirable exit points. Those points will depend on the geography of your property, but they can include these destinations:

• Low-lying drainage fields
• The street
• Drainage ditches
• Dry wells

French drains are highly efficient on slopes. Flat properties may require sump pumps to propel water to the designated exit. Sump pumps move water against the force of gravity to existing septic systems, storm sewers and dry wells. Homeowners in Wilmington should consult a professional to decide a course of action. 

How Are Drainage Problems Diagnosed?

French drains are not always necessary to solve drainage problems. There may be other solutions for your particular situation. The first step is to determine whether you have a problem. Here are some typical indications that you may have water drainage issues:

• Basement floods after heavy rain or melting snow
• Basement smells musty, stale, dank, mildewed or moldy
• Visible growth of mold or mildew
• Water visibly leaking or seeping
• Cracks in your home's foundation
• Water stains on walls or floors
• High basement humidity
• Excessively saturated soil
• Standing water in the yard
• 
  Are any of these conditions occurring on your property? If so, we suggest scheduling a consultation with one of our qualified French drain contractors. An inspection is especially important if your home has no existing drainage or waterproofing system in place. A professional will provide additional information. More information can help you decide what to do.

What Are the Benefits of Installing an Exterior French Drain in Wilmington, NC?

• Affordable: Exterior French drains cost less to install than other basement waterproofing systems. An affordable French drain installation could potentially solve your drainage problem and leave you with enough money for a basement remodel, too.
• Adaptable: For many homeowners, a yard drain might be all that's needed to dry out a basement and prevent water from pooling outside. Drains and exit points can be placed virtually anywhere on your property. Homeowners can even combine French drains with existing septic systems if necessary.
• Efficient: French drains have no moving parts and use no energy. Once installed, they do their job and ask nothing in return. This budget-friendly yard drain eliminates leaks and seepage in the basement while reducing the cost of foundation repairs and moisture mitigation expenses down the road.
• Improves the appearance of your landscaping: There's nothing appealing about waterlogged landscapes unless you are exploring a marsh. Rerouting water to a designated area with a French lawn drain protects not only your home, but also your landscaping and the overall appearance of your property. It's no fun to walk on grass that's spongy and squishy. A French lawn drain can change all that.
• Speedy installation: An experienced French drain contractor can make the installation process painless. Because all work is performed outside, your home won't be turned upside down. Your contractor can help you select the most effective exit points. A good contractor can also advise you on how best to integrate an exterior French drain with your existing landscaping to achieve the most aesthetic results.
• Ease of maintenance: Although yard drains can get sediment clogs from time to time, they're easy to clean overall. Pressurized water can remove any clogs while ejecting the sediment into the drainage ditch. Sewer snakes can dislodge particularly stubborn clogs.

​Can I Install an Affordable French Drain Installation Myself?

French drains involve a straightforward design, and the installation process is not complicated. Nevertheless, a few specialized tools and some prior experience are required to complete the operation successfully.

Even if you're exceptionally handy, it's best to turn this job over to a professional. There are several reasons why we discourage DIY installations:

• Safety issues: Prior to digging a trench, you must identify the location of underground utility lines for water and gas. Most homeowners don't have the expertise to do this. You might also have to temporarily remove structures like driveways, sidewalks and porches. This can easily become a disaster if you don't know exactly what you're doing, and you risk injury to life and limb if things go wrong. On the other hand, a professional installation is quick, economical and hassle-free. A good contractor will also give you a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
• Insurance issues: Professionals who deal with faulty drainage systems are all covered by comprehensive insurance policies carried by their employers. In the event of personal injury or property damage, you won't be held liable for medical bills or property repairs.
• Issues with slope: The first order of business for any knowledgeable contractor is to assess the degree of slope leading away from a house. Accurate measurements ensure that the slope is steep enough to evacuate excess water. You might be able to figure it out, but why bother? If you pick bad drainage points or dig a trench with a gentle incline instead of a steep slope, you'll still need professional help.
• Equipment issues: Besides a no-nonsense shovel, you'll need specialized tools. Professionals have access to everything they need to get the job done right and to ensure that the surrounding landscape is not damaged. Additionally, professional contractors can get discounts on materials and pass the savings on to you.
• Maintenance issues: Contractors who install French drains also perform ongoing maintenance to ensure that drainage is occurring properly. Most people schedule inspections every two years to prevent clogs. Blocked drains can generate pooling water before you know it, and foundation damage can be the unfortunate result.
• Issues with permits and codes: Drainage systems that are poorly designed and improperly installed can impact other properties in the vicinity. That can lead to lawsuits if you created the problem yourself. Building codes and landscaping permits are a vital component of drainage system installation. When you contract with a professional, you can rest assured that there will be no adverse effects on nearby properties or damage to local watersheds.

10 Good Reasons to Choose Us

Always work with reputable and established waterproofing and drainage contractors in the Wilmington NC area. Make sure that the contractor and the technicians all have specialized training and are experienced installers of French drain systems.

Besides high-quality workmanship and a passion for happy customers, there are 10 excellent reasons to make us your French drain professionals of choice:

• All of our people are fully licensed and fully insured.
• We specialize in epic customer care.
• Portfolios of our recent work are available upon request.
• Ongoing contact with our customer service team ensures that you will always be informed about the progress of your job.
• Our contractors are committed to helping customers understand all of their drainage system options.
• We have years of experience installing, repairing and maintaining residential drainage systems.
• Our customers expect the best, and that's what we deliver.
• We treat your property with the care and respect it deserves.
• You'll receive an itemized project estimate before we commence work.
• We've built a reputation for excellence with consistently exceptional work.



Our Bottom Line
A French drain installation is an affordable and effective way to keep basements dry and free of mold and mildew. They can also keep your yard from turning into a swamp. Call us now to learn more about French drain installation or request a quote directly from our website. We are at your service, and we are always happy to help when looking for french drains near you.

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