Woodinville French Drain Installation Services

Hey there, Woodinville! Is your yard turning into a mini lake from November to May? It’s time to say goodbye to that soggy mess and hello to a reliable drainage system! At Neat & Tidy Landscaping, we specialize in installing French drains that are designed to tackle the unique challenges of our beautiful city’s clay soil. Forget the “bag of holes” method; we’re here to provide you with a properly sloped pipe, clean drain rock, and geotextile that actually works.

What’s the Problem?

If your yard is dealing with water issues, you’re not alone! Here’s what we commonly see in Woodinville:

• Standing water in your lawn or side yards that lingers way too long.
• Mushy footpaths that become a hazard after rain due to trash cans, pets, or even your own foot traffic.
• Downspouts that dump water right at your foundation, risking leaks in your crawlspace.
• Slopes weeping across walks and stairs after every rainstorm, creating a slippery situation.
• Previous drainage attempts that were just fabric and gravel—no real results!

What We Install (and Why It Works)

We offer a variety of tailored drainage solutions, including:

• French Drains (Interceptor Drains): These perforated pipes are laid in a gravel trench to intercept groundwater before it can cause damage to your property.
• Downspout Conveyance: Our solid pipes carry roof water away from your foundation, directing it to an approved outlet.
• Dry Wells / Dispersion Trenches: Perfect for locations where water can’t daylight; we size them just right for your roof and soil, wrapped in non-woven geotextile to keep out the fines.
• Channel Drains & Trench Grates: These catch water on hardscaped surfaces and fit seamlessly into your drainage system.
• Cleanouts & Inspection Ports: Strategically placed to make maintenance a breeze.

Remember, we don’t just throw fabric and gravel in a trench and call it a day. That’s a recipe for clogs and a weeding nightmare!

Our Build Method (No Shortcuts Here!)

Here’s how we ensure your drainage system works flawlessly:

1. Site Assessment & Elevation Analysis: We use laser levels to determine the best water paths and soil types, ensuring we know where to discharge legally.
2. Utility Locate: Safety first! We always call 811 before digging.
3. Trench & Line Creation: We dig 8–12” wide and 18–24” deep trenches, lining them with non-woven geotextile for fine/clayey soil.
4. Base Course Layer: We add 3–4” of ¾” clean drain rock, then place the pipe.
5. Pipe Installation & Slope Adjustment: The perforated pipe is set with holes facing down at a ~1% fall (about ⅛” per foot) for French drains, while downspouts use 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 the fabric over the top to keep fines out, then top it with soil, sod, mulch, or decorative rock.
8. Outlet Installation: We daylight to the curb or steep lawn when permitted, or install appropriately sized dry wells/dispersion, all according to local regulations.
9. Proofing: We conduct a hose test and document the slope and cleanouts before backfilling.

Just to clarify: connecting drains to a sanitary sewer is a hard no for us. 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)

Avoid the pitfalls of poorly installed systems:

• 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

Wondering where to put those drains? Here are our favorite spots in Woodinville:

• Along Uphill Property Lines to intercept runoff from neighbors.
• 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)

Keep your yard in pristine condition year-round with our maintenance plan:

• Cleanout Checks: We open caps, flush, 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)

• 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

Keep your drainage system in top shape with these services:

• 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 to avoiding bigger issues later:

• 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 Woodinville 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 today 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!