Kirkland French Drain Installation Services

If your yard transforms into a swamp from November to May, it’s time to stop using ineffective measures. You need a properly sloped pipe, clean drain rock, non-woven geotextile, and a legal discharge. We specialize in creating drainage systems that actually work with Kirkland’s unique clay soil.

What’s the Problem?

Is your Kirkland property facing troublesome water issues? Here’s what we often encounter:

• Seasonal standing water in lawns and side yards that linger.
• Mushy walkways and ruts caused by pets, trash bins, or vehicles.
• Downspouts directing water straight at your foundation, risking crawlspace leaks.
• Slopes weeping during rainstorms, making paths slippery.
• Previous “drains” that were just fabric and gravel—yielding no results!

What We Install (and Why It Works)

We offer a variety of drainage solutions tailored to the needs of Kirkland properties:

• French Drains (Interceptor Drains): Perforated pipes laid in gravel trenches designed to intercept groundwater before it can damage your landscape.
• Downspout Conveyance: Solid pipes that redirect roof water away from your foundation to an approved outlet.
• Dry Wells / Dispersion Trenches: Perfect for areas where water can’t daylight; sized for your roof and soil, wrapped in non-woven geotextile to exclude fines.
• Channel Drains & Trench Grates: These collect water on hard surfaces and integrate seamlessly into your drainage system.
• Cleanouts & Inspection Ports: Strategically placed for easy maintenance.

We don’t just throw fabric and gravel in a trench—this leads to clogs and maintenance headaches!

Our Build Method (No Shortcuts Here!)

1. Site Assessment & Elevation Analysis: Utilizing laser levels to map out water paths and soil types, and to determine legal discharge locations.
2. Utility Locate: Always call 811 before digging for safety.
3. Trench & Line Creation: Typically 8–12” wide and 18–24” deep depending on your property; lined with non-woven geotextile for clay soil.
4. Base Course Layer: Adding 3–4” of ¾” clean drain rock, we then place the pipe.
5. Pipe Installation & Slope Adjustment: Perforated pipe set with holes facing down at a ~1% fall (approximately ⅛” per foot) for French drains; downspouts use solid pipe.
6. Rock Envelope: Filling up to 2–3” from grade with clean, angular rock (not round river rock).
7. Wrap & Cap: Folding fabric over the top to keep out fines, topped with soil, sod, mulch, or decorative rock.
8. Outlet Installation: Daylighting to the curb or steep lawn where allowed, or installing appropriately sized dry wells/dispersion per local regulations.
9. Proofing: Conducting a hose test and documenting the slope and cleanouts before backfilling.

Connecting drains to a sanitary sewer is a no-go. 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 the wet winter months.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Keep Your Yard Healthy)

Our maintenance plan ensures your yard remains in top condition:

• Cleanout Checks: We open caps, flush, and confirm flow after the first major fall storm.
• Leaf Control: Managing gutter health and installing inlet screens to keep organic matter out of the system.
• Outlet Inspection: Clearing splash zones and daylight ends, plus testing dry wells.
• Surface Refresh: Topping off mulch or rock after settlement.
• Photo Log: We provide before-and-after photos to showcase 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 heavy leaf fall, 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 checks 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

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

How It Works

1. Free Estimate: We provide 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: Providing simple care tips and a maintenance calendar tailored to your needs.

Why Kirkland Chooses Neat & Tidy

• Local experts who understand Kirkland’s marine-layer rain, clay pockets, and tight alleyways.
• Licensed & Insured; ensuring code-smart outlets and maintaining tidy job sites.
• Upfront Pricing: All materials, labor, hauling, and disposal included.
• On-time, respectful, clean work (no muddy moonscapes left behind).
• Green-First Approach: Promoting infiltration where suitable and smart dispersion where necessary.

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!