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Lafayette & West Lafayette, Indiana
Exterior drainage in Lafayette, IN
Downspouts that dump right at the wall, a yard that stays soggy for days, water pooling against the foundation after every storm. Moving water away from your house is often the least expensive fix, and the one that prevents the expensive ones.
- Free drainage inspection
- Written price before work
- Bonded & insured
Why drainage matters in Lafayette
Clay soil holds water right where you don't want it
A single heavy storm can send thousands of gallons of water off an average roof. If downspouts dump it at the base of the wall, it soaks the soil right next to your foundation.
Much of Greater Lafayette sits on clay-heavy soil, which drains slowly. Water that lands near the house stays there, pushing on foundation walls, seeping into basements and crawlspaces, and washing soil out from under driveways and patios.
Grading matters too. Over time, soil around a house settles and starts sloping toward the foundation instead of away from it, so every rain runs straight at the wall.
Signs you have a drainage problem
- Downspouts ending at or near the foundation
- Water pooling against the house after rain
- Soggy or muddy spots that stay wet for days
- Soil, mulch or splash marks washed against the siding
- Ground sloping toward the house instead of away
- Water in the basement or crawlspace after storms
- Sunken or tilted concrete next to the house
How we fix it
Drainage solutions we install
Every yard drains differently. Your written plan shows where the water is going now and exactly how we'll move it.
Buried downspout extensions
Solid pipe buried underground carries roof water from your downspouts well away from the foundation, with no tripping over extensions in the yard.
Pop-up emitters
The buried line ends in a pop-up emitter that opens to release water and closes flush with the lawn.
French drains
A gravel-filled trench with perforated pipe that collects groundwater and surface water and carries it away from the house.
Curtain drains
A French drain set uphill from the house to intercept water running toward it before it gets there.
Regrading
Reshape the soil around your foundation so the ground slopes away from the house and rain runs off instead of in.
Sump discharge routing
Move your sump pump's discharge line so the water it pumps out doesn't circle right back to the foundation.
Start outside
The cheapest fix that prevents the expensive ones
Most basement leaks, damp crawlspaces, cracked walls and sinking slabs have the same root cause: too much water in the soil next to the house. Fixing drainage reduces that water at the source.
Sometimes drainage alone solves the problem. Sometimes it's one part of a fix that also includes waterproofing or encapsulation. Either way, we'll tell you which, and if a simple downspout extension does the job, that's what we'll recommend.
How long does it take?
Most drainage jobs are done in one to three days. We protect your lawn, replace the sod over buried lines and clean up when we're done.
What does it cost?
Price depends on how many downspouts need extensions, the length of drain line, how far the water needs to go and whether regrading is needed. We measure during the free inspection and give you a written price with options. Ask about payment plans when you get your estimate.
Often paired with
- Basement waterproofing: an interior drain and sump pump for water that still gets through
- Crawlspace encapsulation: seals out ground moisture once less water reaches the walls
- Concrete lifting: raises slabs that drainage problems have already washed out
Questions
Exterior drainage questions
Don't see yours? Call or text and ask. There's no charge for advice.
How far should downspouts drain from my house?
Far enough that the water can't flow back toward the foundation. That's often 10 feet or more, depending on the slope of your yard. We'll recommend a distance and outlet location for your property.
Will buried downspout lines freeze in winter?
Lines installed with proper slope drain out between storms, so water isn't left sitting in them to freeze. Pop-up emitters release the water at the end of the line.
What's the difference between a French drain and a curtain drain?
Both are gravel-filled trenches with perforated pipe. A French drain collects water where it pools, and a curtain drain is placed uphill from the house to intercept water before it reaches the foundation.
Can drainage fix my wet basement?
Sometimes. If most of the water comes from roof runoff or poor grading, fixing drainage can solve it. If water is still pushing through after that, an interior drain and sump pump may also be needed. We'll tell you which.
How much does exterior drainage cost?
It depends on the number of downspouts, the length of drain line and whether regrading is needed. We measure during the free inspection and give you a written price with options before any work starts.
Let's take a look underneath.
Free drainage inspection, written plan, no pressure. Serving Lafayette, West Lafayette, Battle Ground, Dayton, Frankfort, Delphi, Monticello, Crawfordsville and the surrounding counties.