Happy Father's Day!

Dads like hard work and relaxing!

Creating excellent drainage in the yard so Dad can enjoy watering the grass and garden beds is what Integrity Drainage Solutions is all about.

We'll find the right solution that may include beautiful retaining walls or dry river beds.

Celebrate. Honor. Remember.

On Memorial Day we can celebrate our freedom and remember those who have served, so bravely and selflessly, our wonderful country.

All we can say is we thank you.  We honor you.  We never forget your service and sacrifice.

Solve Your Drainage Issues

Do you notice puddles or standing water that takes too long to drain on your land?  Integrity Drainage Solutions can help solve drainage problems—from minor, nagging standing water issues to major drainage problems. We offer experience as exterior drainage specialists to deliver you cost-effective results.

Creating a Precision Pitch

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

By using precision tools, we ensure 100% accuracy during the design and implementation of an efficient drainage system.  Integrity Drainage Solutions are drainage experts who get it right the first time!

Spring Tips for Exterior Drainage

At this time of year, during the Winter thaw and the Spring rains to come, it is very important to check a few items around your home. 

 

Make sure gutters and downspouts are attached properly to the home.  Tighten any loose gutters and reconnect any unattached downspouts to help keep water away from the house.  It is imperative that gutters and downspouts are clear and free-flowing.

If there is standing water against the home's foundation, eventually it could find its way into your home.  Have a drainage professional re-grade around your home’s foundation.  Creating a positive and lasting pitch away from the home is important.  It is a gradual pitch that an exterior drainage specialist can measure for you.  It is never recommended to landscape around the home’s foundation without a proper pitch and grade.

Spring Thaw...Choose to Enjoy It or Dread It.

Winter in Wisconsin brings a lot of snow.  In early March, when the thaw begins, the sound of water draining from the gutters is a welcome sound of Spring for some homeowners.  For others it is followed by the dreaded sound of a sump pump running...and running...and running.  If the sump pump cannot keep up, water backup can occur.  Often this is mistakenly diagnosed as an interior water issue.  However, it is also likely to be an exterior drainage issue.  Integrity Drainage Solutions specializes in moving water away from your home's exterior foundation.  Ensuring a positive pitch away from the home's foundation is key.  This can be accomplished in many ways, from a swale to a drain tile system. 

Redirecting water away from your home and yard can turn the Spring thaw into an exciting experience in the anticipation of enjoying your yard all Summer long.

      

Downspout Extensions

The goal of your gutter/downspout system is to deliver water from the large roof area away from the foundation of your home. To aid in this goal, we recommend buried downspout extensions on all downspouts.

We use a High-density polyethylene (HDPE) which is a very strong and corrosion-resistant piping.

It's Freezing!

It's cold out!  Things will freeze.  Be aware of some items on the exterior of your home that could be potential problems.

Ice dams occur when snow collects on your roof and a cycle of melting and refreezing occurs.  This can cause a lot of water damage inside your home.  Keep gutters clear as best you can.

Sump pump discharge pipes cannot freeze.  Backup of the sump pump can cause flooding into the basement and also burn out your pump motor.  Check this every few days to be sure that your water is running out and away from the home's foundation.  Sometimes burying this pipe and routing it away from the home's foundation is a good option.

Keeping window wells as clear as possible will help with keeping water out of your basement as well.  Covers over the window wells in the winter is not a bad idea to keep water from leaking through the windows.

   

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.  

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.

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.

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.

 

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.   

 

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.