Kent French Drain Installation Services

Is your yard becoming a mini lake every rainy season? Let’s face it: the “bag of holes” method just doesn’t cut it anymore. You deserve a drainage system that actually works! That’s where we come in. Our team specializes in crafting well-designed French drains, dry wells, and downspout solutions that effectively handle Kent’s notoriously stubborn clay soil.

What’s the Problem?

If you’re nodding your head at any of these issues, it’s time to take action:

• Standing water that gathers in your lawn and side yards for weeks.
• Mushy pathways where your pets or trash cans create ruts.
• Downspouts pouring water directly at your foundation—yikes!
• Slopes weeping water over walks and stairs after every rain.
• Previous “drains” that were just gravel and fabric—what a letdown!

What We Install (and Why It Works)

Our team tailors a range of drainage solutions perfect for your unique property needs:

• French Drains (Interceptor Drains): Perforated pipes nestled in gravel trenches that intercept groundwater before it wreaks havoc.
• Downspout Conveyance: Solid pipes that redirect roof water away from your foundation to a proper outlet.
• Dry Wells / Dispersion Trenches: Designed for areas where water can’t daylight; sized just right for your roof and soil, wrapped in non-woven geotextile to keep out pesky fines.
• Channel Drains & Trench Grates: These beauties catch water on hardscaped surfaces and fit seamlessly into your overall drainage plan.
• Cleanouts & Inspection Ports: Placed at key points for easy maintenance.

Here’s the deal: we don’t just dump fabric and gravel in a trench—this leads to clogs and a weeding nightmare!

Our Build Method (No Shortcuts Here!)

Here’s how we do it right:

1. Site Assessment & Elevation Analysis: Using laser levels, we map out water paths and soil types to find the best discharge locations.
2. Utility Locate: Safety first! We always call 811 before digging.
3. Trench & Line Creation: We dig trenches typically 8–12” wide and 18–24” deep based on your property; we line them with non-woven geotextile for clayey soil.
4. Base Course Layer: We add 3–4” of clean drain rock, then place the pipe.
5. Pipe Installation & Slope Adjustment: Perforated pipe goes in with holes facing down at a ~1% fall (about ⅛” per foot) for French drains.
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 the fabric over the top to keep fines out, capping it off with soil, sod, mulch, or decorative rock.
8. Outlet Installation: We daylight to the curb or steep lawn, or install appropriately sized dry wells/dispersion per local regulations.
9. Proofing: A hose test and photos of the slope and cleanouts are taken before backfilling.

Just a heads up: we do not connect drains to a sanitary sewer—our outlets pass the sniff test now and later!

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: Always 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 catch runoff from neighboring properties.
• Behind Retaining Walls (with dedicated wall drains).
• Across Soggy Lawns acting as lateral collectors leading to a dry well or dispersion trench.
• Along Walks/Steps that struggle with weeping during winter.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Keep Your Yard Healthy)

Our maintenance plan ensures your yard remains stunning:

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

We’re all about low-maintenance landscaping. Our mission: fewer puddles between visits and less hassle for you!

Service Cadences (Choose What Works for You)

• Quarterly: Perfect for fall storm prep, winter/spring checks, and summer tune-ups.
• Bi-Monthly: Ideal for high-leaf, high-water, or complex 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 necessary.
• A simple 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

1. Free Estimate: We offer photos/video or a quick walkthrough with clear, upfront pricing.
2. Installation Day(s): We handle 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 Kent Chooses Neat & Tidy

• Local experts who understand marine-layer rain, clay pockets, and tight alleys.
• Licensed & Insured; we ensure code-smart outlets and maintain clean 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 really works—proper slope, clean rock, smart outlet, and zero hassle. We’ll keep it tidy—so you don’t have to!