Des Moines French Drain Installation Services
Is your yard turning into a swamp each rainy season? It’s high time to move beyond the “bag of holes” tactic. You deserve a properly sloped pipe, clean drain rock, and an installation that includes non-woven geotextile—all leading to a legal discharge point. Our team specializes in crafting drainage systems that actually function with Des Moines’s notoriously clay-heavy soil.
What’s Going On?
Are you tired of dealing with waterlogged areas in your yard? Here’s a rundown of common problems we encounter:
- Seasonal standing water that lingers in your lawn and side yards.
- Mushy paths and ruts from foot traffic, pets, or trash cans.
- Downspouts dumping water directly at your foundation, leading to crawlspace leaks.
- Slopes weeping after every rain, turning your yard into a mini lake.
- Drainage solutions from the past that are just fabric and gravel—no real results!
What We Install (and Why It Works)
We provide a variety of drainage solutions customized for Des Moines homeowners:
- French Drains (Interceptor Drains): Perforated pipes in gravel trenches designed to intercept groundwater before it causes damage.
- Downspout Conveyance: Solid pipes that carry roof water away from your foundation and direct it to an approved outlet.
- Dry Wells / Dispersion Trenches: Perfect for areas where water can’t daylight; sized just right for your roof and soil, wrapped in non-woven geotextile to keep out fines.
- Channel Drains & Trench Grates: Efficiently catch water on hardscapes and integrate seamlessly into your drainage system.
- Cleanouts & Inspection Ports: Strategically placed to make maintenance easy and straightforward.
We don’t just toss fabric and gravel into a trench and call it good. That just leads to clogs and a messy garden!
Our Build Method (No Shortcuts Here!)
- Site Assessment & Elevation Analysis: Using laser levels, we map out water paths, identify soil types, and pinpoint legal discharge locations.
- Utility Locate: Safety first! We always call 811 before digging.
- Trench & Line Creation: Depending on your property, we typically dig 8–12” wide and 18–24” deep, lining the trench with non-woven geotextile for fine/clayey soils.
- Base Course Layer: We add 3–4” of ¾” clean drain rock, then place the pipe.
- Pipe Installation & Slope Adjustment: Perforated pipes are installed with holes facing down at a ~1% fall (about ⅛” per foot) for French drains, while downspouts utilize solid pipes.
- Rock Envelope: We fill up to 2–3” from the top with clean, angular rock (not slippery river rock).
- Wrap & Cap: We fold fabric over the top to keep fines out, then finish with soil, sod, mulch, or decorative rock.
- Outlet Installation: We daylight to the curb or steep lawn where allowed, or install appropriately sized dry wells/dispersion as per local regulations.
- Proofing: A hose test is conducted, along with 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” (Here’s 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: Order 10–15% extra for settlement/voids.
- Pipe: Add 10–20% for bends and cleanouts.
Best Places to Install French Drains
- Along Uphill Property Lines to intercept runoff from neighboring properties.
- Behind Retaining Walls (with dedicated wall drains).
- Across Soggy Lawns as lateral collectors leading to a dry well or dispersion trench.
- Along Walks/Steps that weep during winter.
Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Keep Your Yard Healthy)
Our maintenance plan is designed to keep your yard thriving:
- Cleanout Checks: We open caps, flush, and confirm flow after the first major 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 check dry wells.
- Surface Refresh: We add mulch or rock after settlement.
- Photo Log: We provide you with before-and-after photos so you can witness 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)
- Quarterly: Fall storm prep, winter/spring checks, and summer tune-ups.
- Bi-Monthly: For properties with high leaf litter, water challenges, or complex drainage systems.
What’s Included in 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 straightforward report with recommendations for any capacity increases.
Why Annual Maintenance Matters
- 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
- Free Estimate: We offer photos/video or a quick walkthrough with clear, upfront pricing.
- Installation Day(s): We handle trenching, rock, pipe, cleanouts, outlet installation, proof testing, and tidy backfill.
- Follow-Up: We provide simple care tips and a maintenance calendar tailored to your needs.
Why Des Moines Chooses Neat & Tidy
- 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 truly works—proper slope, clean rock, and compliant outlets. We’re here to keep it tidy—so you don’t have to worry!
