Drainage work we can quote
- French drains: a trench with perforated pipe and gravel that collects groundwater and carries it away.
- Catch basins: grated drains set in low spots to collect surface water.
- Downspout drain lines: burying downspouts and running the water away from the foundation.
- Swales and regrading: shaping the ground to steer water where it should go.
- Fixes for pooling water: soggy yards, wet basements caused by runoff, and washouts.
Why so many Louisville yards stay wet
Much of the soil around Louisville is heavy clay. Clay drains slowly, so after a big rain the water has nowhere to soak in and sits on top. Add flat lots, downspouts dumping right next to the house, and neighboring yards that drain toward yours, and you get the soggy yard and puddles many Louisville homeowners deal with.
A French drain or catch basin gives that water a path. The key is having somewhere for the water to go, such as a lower part of the property, a ditch, or a dry well, without sending it onto a neighbor. Drainage that affects public storm sewers in Louisville Metro falls under MSD, so larger projects may need their input.
How a French drain works
- A trench is dug along the wet area or the path water takes
- The trench is lined with filter fabric to keep soil out
- Perforated pipe is laid in a bed of gravel
- The pipe slopes downhill to a safe outlet
- The trench is backfilled and the surface restored
Signs you need drainage work
- Puddles that last for days after rain
- Water in the basement or crawlspace after storms
- Mushy grass, moss, or bare muddy patches
- Erosion or washed-out mulch and soil
- Downspouts dumping water next to the foundation