Bothell French Drain Installation Services

Is your yard turning into a swamp every rainy season? If you’re tired of soggy spots ruining your outdoor fun, it’s time for a change! At Neat & Tidy Landscaping, we specialize in designing and installing French drains that truly work for Bothell’s unique clay soil. Say goodbye to the ineffective “bag of holes” approach and hello to solutions that will keep your property dry and inviting.

What’s the Problem?

If you’re dealing with any of these pesky water issues, we’re here to help:

• Standing water that lingers in your lawn and side yards.
• Mushy footpaths caused by trash cans, pets, or even your own feet!
• Downspouts dumping water directly at your foundation, increasing the risk of crawlspace leaks.
• Weeping slopes that create slippery walks and stairs after every rain.
• Previous “drains” that were simply fabric and gravel, yielding zero results!

What We Install (and Why It Works)

We offer a variety of drainage solutions tailored specifically for your needs:

• French Drains (Interceptor Drains): These perforated pipes are laid in a gravel trench to intercept groundwater before it can wreak havoc on your property.
• Downspout Conveyance: Solid pipes that carry roof water away from your foundation to a safe outlet.
• Dry Wells / Dispersion Trenches: Perfect for areas where water can’t daylight; sized perfectly for your roof and soil, wrapped in non-woven geotextile to keep out fines.
• Channel Drains & Trench Grates: These cleverly catch water on hardscaped surfaces without disrupting your landscape design.
• Cleanouts & Inspection Ports: Strategically placed for easy maintenance access.

We don’t just toss fabric and gravel into a trench—this leads to clogs and a weeding nightmare!

Our Build Method (No Shortcuts Here!)

When it comes to installation, we believe in doing it right. Here’s how we work:

1. Site Assessment & Elevation Analysis: We use laser levels to map water paths, understand soil types, and find legal discharge locations.
2. Utility Locate: Safety first! We always call 811 before digging.
3. Trench & Line Creation: We dig an 8–12” wide and 18–24” deep trench, lining it with non-woven geotextile to keep out fine particles.
4. Base Course Layer: We add 3–4” of ¾” clean drain rock, then place the pipe.
5. Pipe Installation & Slope Adjustment: Perforated pipe is set with holes facing down at a ~1% fall (approximately ⅛” per foot) for French drains, while downspouts utilize solid pipe.
6. Rock Envelope: We fill up to 2–3” from grade with clean, angular rock (not round river rock that shifts).
7. Wrap & Cap: We fold fabric over the top to keep fines out, then top with soil, sod, mulch, or decorative rock.
8. Outlet Installation: We daylight to the curb or steep lawn where allowed, or install appropriately sized dry wells/dispersion per local regulations.
9. Proofing: We conduct a hose test and take photos of the slope and cleanouts before backfilling.

Let’s be clear: connecting drains to a sanitary sewer is a hard no. We ensure your outlet passes the sniff test—now and in the future.

French Drain vs. “Pipe in a Trench” (Why Yours Failed)

• No Slope = No Flow.
• Fabric in the Wrong Place = Mud Filter.
• Round Rock Rolls; Clean Angular Rock Locks and Drains.
• Perforated Under Roof Water = Sludge. Keep Downspouts on Solid Pipe.
• No Cleanouts = No Maintenance.

Quick Sizing Math (For Easy Ordering)

• Trench Volume per Linear Foot
  • 8” wide × 12” deep = 0.67 cu ft/LF → ~40 LF per cubic yard
  • 12” wide × 18” deep = 1.5 cu ft/LF → ~18 LF per cubic yard
• Rock: Always order 10–15% extra for settlement/voids.
• Pipe: Add 10–20% for bends and cleanouts.

Best Places to Install French Drains

Here are ideal spots to consider for French drain installation in Bothell:

• Along Uphill Property Lines to intercept runoff from neighboring yards.
• Behind Retaining Walls (with dedicated wall drains) for added protection.
• Across Soggy Lawns as lateral collectors leading to a dry well or dispersion trench.
• Along Walks/Steps that tend to weep during winter.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Keep Your Yard Healthy)

Keep your yard thriving with our maintenance plan:

• Cleanout Checks: We open caps, flush them, and confirm flow after the first big fall storm.
• Leaf Control: We manage gutter health and install inlet screens to keep organic matter out of the system.
• Outlet Inspection: We clear splash zones and daylight ends, plus test dry wells.
• Surface Refresh: We top off mulch or rock after settlement.
• Photo Log: We provide before-and-after photos so you can see the improvements.

We’re a low-maintenance landscaping team. Our goal: fewer puddles between visits and less work for you!

Service Cadences (Choose What Works for You)

Select a maintenance frequency that suits your lifestyle:

• Quarterly: Fall storm prep, winter/spring checks, and summer tune-ups.
• Bi-Monthly: For high-leaf, high-water, or complex systems.

What’s Included in Annual Maintenance

Here’s what you can expect from our annual maintenance:

• Open/flush cleanouts; check for buildup of fines.
• Outlet daylight/dry well inspection and debris removal.
• Gutter/downspout check and screen installation (if missing).
• Grade touch-ups over trenches; we’ll re-seed or re-mulch as needed.
• A simple report with recommendations for any capacity increases.

Why Annual Maintenance Matters

Regular maintenance is key for several reasons:

• Prevents Clogs before storm season hits.
• Protects Foundations & Paths from saturation and heave.
• Extends System Life: Clean rock and open outlets equal fewer callbacks.
• Saves Money: Regular maintenance beats costly excavation every time!

How It Works

Here’s how the process unfolds:

1. Free Estimate: We offer photos/video or a quick walkthrough with clear, upfront pricing.
2. Installation Day(s): We take care of trenching, rock, pipe, cleanouts, outlet installation, proof testing, and tidy backfill.
3. Follow-Up: We provide simple care tips and a maintenance calendar tailored to your needs.

Why Bothell Chooses Neat & Tidy

Here’s why we’re the go-to for French drain services in Bothell:

• Local experts who understand marine-layer rain, clay pockets, and tight alleys.
• Licensed & Insured; we ensure code-smart outlets and maintain tidy sites.
• Upfront Pricing: Materials, labor, hauling, and disposal included.
• On-time, respectful, clean work—no muddy moonscapes left behind.
• Green-First Approach: We promote infiltration where suitable and smart dispersion where not.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Puddles?

Call or text Neat & Tidy for a French drain solution that works—proper slope, clean rock, smart outlet, and zero drama. We’ll keep it tidy—so you don’t have to!