Merry Christmas to All!

Integrity Drainage Solutions wishes you all a very, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We look forward to the thaw of 2015 and helping our customers with their drainage needs.

Drainage: Priority Number One.

Proper drainage means that water is always moving away from your home's foundation. 

At Integrity Drainage Solutions, we always consider possible grade changes when making landscaping improvements to be sure we direct water away from the home. 

During the building process, a new homeowner should be very attentive to ensure that all contractors involved are mindful of the grading and the drainage. 

Integrity Drainage Solutions works with you so you have a clear understanding of how your property's drainage system will work.

Grading, New or Existing, is Very Important

During the building process, a new homeowner should be very attentive to ensure that all contractors involved are mindful of the grading and the drainage.  Make sure your drainage system moves water away from your foundation and not on to your neighbor’s property.   

At Integrity Drainage Solutions, we always consider possible grade changes when making landscaping changes to be sure we direct water away from the home.  We work with you so you have a clear understanding of how your property's drainage system will work.  

A Bit About Window Wells

Window wells are necessary when basement windows are fully or partially below the grade of your home.  

Some of the problems a homeowner may encounter include: clogging, poor drainage and old age.  This can cause foundational problems and water in your basement.  

One of the best things you yourself can do to protect against these situations is to take a walk around your house on a regular basis and clean out the window wells.  Wear gloves!  Window wells tend to collect all sorts of unappealing goodies such as leaves, garbage, and even animals that cannot escape. 

 

Ideally, the bottom of the window well should contain nothing but several inches of gravel to allow water to drain from the well.

 

If you are experiencing poor drainage issues, it is best to ask an expert to check your window wells and the pitch around your home to ensure proper drainage is happening.  

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.

A Pitched Swale

At Integrity Drainage Solutions, we have simple, effective, scientific philosophy for exterior drainage: Water flows downhill. We create a path of least resistance to control or move water away from its undesired location around the exterior of your home.

We use a precise and technical approach. For example, surface runoff, a common drainage problem, can be effectively resolved by adjusting the grade so the water flows downhill and your exterior drainage runs away from your structures. We design efficient exterior drainage solutions to cost-effectively meet your needs and create a positive pitch away from your home. Call for a free consultation today.

Good and Proper Drainage is Good and Proper for Your Home

There is a wide variety of exterior drainage problems that affect 60% of all homeowners.  The severity of these problems may be seasonal or develop over time. 

Typically, homeowners can go for years before they realize they have a persistent problem. 

These drainage issues will continue to get worse as water settles home features such as lawn areas, patios, driveways, and very importantly, your home's foundation.  Hydrostatic pressure (pictured below) is a beast! 

If caught early, the heavy damage and heavy expense is preventable.

New Office, New Yard - Part 4

Our new sign is finished and our building is getting a new paint job.  It's a great look!  For the sign, we used Olde Quarry Stone with a Copthorne inlay.  This is a great representation of the style of work we do.  Once again, there is more to come.  Our yard is going to be a stunning showroom of all the types of projects we are capable of doing.  Stay tuned...

Property Improvement - South Property Line Drainage

We are working to improve the look and the drainage on our South property line. 

We’re installing catch basins between the newly planted Arborvitaes and then trenching a drainage pipe along the backside of the tree line all the way to the street.  This is to improve the environment for the Arborvitae, as they cannot survive in extremely wet conditions.  This also improves the drainage situation for our South neighbor, who was periodically experiencing basement water.

Arborvitae is a popular evergreen choice for hedges because of its tall, narrow growth habit. Arborvitae grows best in full sun, but will tolerate light shade and prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil.

New Office, New Yard - Part 3

Time to change our sign and elevate the look as we continue to renovate and remodel our new building and yard.  This week we demolished the old sign and are building a new sign using Olde Quarry Stone, Copthorne inlays and Ledgestone.  Truly impressive work by our very skilled crew!

Retaining Walls - Functional and Beautiful

Retaining walls can be both functional and beautiful. 

A well-built retaining wall can provide support for keeping your garden's topsoil in place, be helpful in preventing flooding and other water damage, prevent erosion and prevent damage to property or surrounding structures.

Retaining walls can be built with some of the most beautiful types of brick and stone.  The color options and styles abound.  Your yard becomes a park when you combine plants and bushes with your new retaining wall.

 

Proven Integrity Drainage Solutions

Some of the proven Integrity Drainage solutions include:

-Precise Grading
-Gradual and Effective Swales
-Properly Designed Retaining Walls
-Drain Tile (a.k.a. French Drain)
-Catch Basins (or Yard Drains)
-Buried Downspout Extensions
-EPDM Membrane
-Erosion Control

Moss in Your Grass?

Poor drainage and/or standing water in any yard can cause many issues, including possible damage to your home's foundation.  It is also a hotbed for mosquitoes, root rot and an inability to actually enjoy the yard.  One other issue it can cause is moss.  Moss is a symptom of lawn problems, not a cause of them.  If it is growing in a low-lying area where the soil stays wet, improving the drainage can discourage moss from growing.  

     

New Office, New Yard - Part 2

We are in the very beginning stages of our front yard remodel and our grass seed is coming in!  The underground drains have proven to work beautifully, especially with these heavy rains we've been experiencing.  We couldn't be happier with the progress.  Stay tuned for more updates as we work toward creating our amazing outdoor showroom!  

New Office, New Yard!

We've started the work on the exterior at our new office.  We are no exception when it comes to having good and proper drainage.  Our crew is prepping the yard for the new swales.  Stay tuned as the process goes on to see what will be a beautiful outdoor showroom for Integrity Drainage Solutions, LLC.   

 

Memorial Day Special!

In honor of Memorial Day, all veterans will receive a $200 discount on any work signed and completed during the month of May. For those of you who are not veterans, receive a $100 discount. You must mention this post at the time of scheduling your free on-site consultation & "Like" us on Facebook to receive this discount.

A Positive Pitch

Ensuring a positive pitch away from the home is very important.  To control this or pooling lawn areas, the creation of an efficient swale may be required.  Swales are an excellent technique in harvesting rainwater.  They capture surface runoff and allow underground nourishment to trees while also reducing erosion.   By redirecting the water we can prevent pooling (breeding ground for mosquitoes) and help make your yard more enjoyable.  Contact Integrity Drainage Solutions to receive a positive pitch!

Concerns of Water Problems

Integrity Drainage Solutions provides accurate information and advice regarding exterior water problems.

Concerns of Water Problems include:
-Water Damage
-Toxic Mold
-Foundation Issues
-Damp Walls or Basements
-Ponding or Mushy Lawn Areas
-Settling Patios/Walks

Foundation Issues

Mold and structural foundation damage are problems that may occur in homes with improper drainage.  A negative pitch of the grade provides a direct path for water toward a home while adding harmful hydrostatic pressure and voiding home foundation warranties.  During the winter months, water near a foundation wall will freeze and expand, therefore providing additional damaging pressure.

Standing Water

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.  Integrity Drainage Solutions recommends you inspect your property when it rains this spring!

Why Choose Integrity Drainage Solutions

Drainage problems may be seasonal or develop over time.  Typically, homeowners can go years before they even realize they have a persistent problem.  These drainage issues will continue to get worse as water settles home features such as lawn areas, patios, driveways, and foundations often causing a preventable damage and expense. 

At Integrity Drainage Solutions our approach is simple.  Water flows downhill.  We simply create a path of least resistance to control or move water away from its undesired location using a precise and technical approach.  Considering surface runoff is the most common drainage problem, adjusting the grade is typically the recommended primary drainage solution.