Drain Tiles

An efficient use of a drain tile system is an excellent approach to supplement the benefits of proper grading.  A 4" perforated drain tile backfilled with limestone chips will absorb seepage (underground water) under the center of the swale or other appropriate areas.  Considering these pipes may freeze in a typical Wisconsin winter, they should be used as a secondary drainage solution.

#AtoZChallenge – Q is for Quagmire

Standing water after heavy rains like we have experienced this April can turn your lawn and yard into a quagmire! Eliminating standing water in your yard is important. Standing water inhibits the use of your yard and creates the perfect environment for mold, mosquitoes, and other pests.

The Integrity Drainage solution team will custom-design an affordable solution to reroute water so it flows where you want it to flow… and eliminate your regular quagmire after every heavy rain.

Just listen to what our satisfied customers have to say about how effective our work is:

"We can see a definite difference in the area you performed work. We no longer have standing water. We appreciated the personal attention this project received from owner David Hintzman as well as the work performed by the people who were on-site for the project. When we did have a concern, your organization was courteous and prompt in coming out and addressing it. We are happy with our decision to choose Integrity to perform the work on our property and thank you again for working with us to resolve our water issues." -- Richard B., Menomonee Falls, WI

Wet March, April Showers

Did you enjoy this cold, wet March, 2013? If you did, you are one of a rare and select few. While all that moisture was good to alleviate drought conditions, it may expose drainage issues for your home. Did you notice any moisture buildup on your basement walls or floors? If you did, you have drainage issues.

April Showers are on their way now, too. If you observe standing water lingering in your yard, you may have another common type of drainage challenge. Standing water limits the uses of your yard, and becomes the perfect breeding ground for mold, mosquitos, and other pests. Water flows downhill. Let us help you create effective flows away from your home or out of your yard. Grade adjustment is a proven solution to guiding water to flow where you want it to go.

Other April News

This April, Integrity Drainage is joining the national A –Z Blogger Challenge. We will have 26 days to use every letter in the alphabet to talk about topics related to our business. We are joining bloggers from around the world in this fun exercise in creating a helpful collection of articles for people interested in learning more about drainage.

Draining Melting Snow and Spring Rains

Snowfall totals for the Milwaukee area this past February were the 10^th-highest since weather recording began in the late 1800s! An average February snowfall total is 9.3 inches; 2013 was 30 inches, with much more in many area locations. And soon it will all melt.

Melting snow and spring rains can expose exterior drainage issues for your home. If you have wet walls or worse, flooding, you need to act quickly to prevent costly damage. Integrity Drainage Solutions has the proven experience to fix your problem before it damages your home and inflicts massive repair costs on your budget.

It is vital to keep water away from your house in snow-melting and rainy season. Here are some warning signs to an exterior drainage problem:

•  Excess water in the foundations & basement walls
• Excess water around plants
• Excess water from driveway enters garage
• Standing water in your lawn or vegetation areas
• Water seeping through doors, basement, or garage
• Standing water 24 hours after a major rain
• Flooding in the basement or crawl space area
• Basement or crawl space has mold and mildew
• Mold or moisture damage in the crawl space
• Musty odors in the living area
• Condensation on air conditioning ductwork or equipment
• Condensation on insulation, water pipes
• Buckled hardwood floors
• High humidity in the living area

Possible negative effects of poor exterior drainage:

• Loss of structural integrity to building or home
• Damaged or ruined interiors
• Plants, trees, and grass damaged or die
• Increased mosquito population from standing water
• Mold growth on interior or exterior structure
• Short-term and long-term health risks
• Major, costly repairs

"We can see a definite difference in the area you performed work. We no longer have standing water. We appreciated the personal attention this project received from David Hintzman as well as the work performed by the people who were on-site for the project. When we did have a concern, your organization was courteous and prompt in coming out and addressing it. We are happy with our decision to choose Integrity to perform the work on our property and thank you again for working with us to resolve our water issues." Richard B. Menomonee Falls, WI

According to a survey of engineers and home inspectors, nearly 9 out of 10 wet basements can be made dry by improving the exterior drainage around your house.

Rain, rain go away!

Every season provides it’s own set of challenges with keeping water from damaging our home and property. As winter comes to an end, we can expect two impending culprits: melting snow and spring rain.

We are all familiar with the saying “April showers bring May flowers.” But, those same rain showers often bring flooding and water damage to our property. During a heavy rain, water can provide unwanted hydrostatic pressure to a home's foundation. At other times, rain may simply flood a backyard or basement.

Usually an improperly pitched property provides a direct path for water to move towards a home causing flooding and seepage, which can lead to mold growth inside the home. With a few simple tips, you can help prevent water damage and the effects it leaves behind.

•  Keep gutters clean and working properly.
•  Check your window wells and covers.
•  Extend downspouts 8-10' from your home. 
•  Inspect your property after a rainfall.

Unfortunately,  sometimes following these tips is not enough to keep your home safe from water damage. Affordable remedies are available and Integrity Drainage Solutions provides a variety of answer for drainage problems throughout Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Ozaukee Counties. Our experienced drainage technicians use a variety of systems and specialized tools to address your current issues and help prevent complications like mold or costly foundation repairs.