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.  

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.  

     

Drain Tile Systems

The recent drier weather makes this an excellent time to deal with your exterior drainage issues. Changing your property's grade and installing improved drainage deliver superior results for years to come.

Installation of drainage tiles (also known as a French Drain) effectively supplements the benefits of proper grading. A 4” perforated drain tile back-filled with limestone chips will absorb seepage (underground water) under the center of a swale or other areas of potential water pooling.

The experienced and efficient workers for Integrity Drainage Solutions will excavate a footer (a trench about 6-8 inches deep), then lay a 4” diameter perforated pipe, after the drainage tile is installed. Next comes back-filling with limestone chips or washed gravel. Finally, they top it all off with displaced earth.

Only Part of the Solution:

Drainage tile systems are only about 6 inches beneath the ground. These pipes can freeze during a typical Wisconsin winter. The system should be augmenting your solution, not be considered the primary solution.

Rainy June, Wet July?

Welcome to July! June was one of the rainiest months of the past 20 years. Weather forecasters predict much the same for the rest of the summer as the Jet Stream is stationary, bringing both cool air from the north and moisture from the south. Tired of standing water on your property? Concerned about water leaking into your basement?

Affordable drainage solutions from Integrity solve all your water issues, from  minor nagging standing water to major drainage problems such as basement leaks and flooding. We offer experience and cost-effective results as your exterior drainage specialists.

Our Mission Statement: “To offer practical solutions to a variety of drainage problems using precise and technical approach. Our goal is to educate and help our customers prevent future damage to their home and to enjoy their property more.”

A testimonial from Robert W. of New Berlin, WI:

I had your company do some grading and drainage work to prevent water from getting into my basement. Everyone we worked with was so nice and a real joy to work with. Since having the work done, we have not had any more water in our basement. We would definitely recommend your services!

Father's Day Special

To celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, Integrity Drainage Solutions wants to extend an offer to any fathers, offspring who love their fathers, or mothers who want to honor their husbands. If you live in Southeastern Wisconsin, mention you saw this blog post and we will offer you a free consultation, plus $50.00 discount off any drainage project.

Proven Integrity Solutions:

• Precise Grading
• Gradual & Efficient Swales
• Properly Designed Retaining Wall
• Drain Tile (a.k.a. French Drain)
• Catch Basins (or Yard Drains)
• Buried Downspout Extensions
• EPDM Membrane
• Erosion Control

May Day! Special thank you to Integrity drainage workers

Around the world, May 1st (May Day) is a holiday celebrating workers of the world. We’d like to take a moment to thank and celebrate the experienced, dependable, and talented team of workers at Integrity Drainage Solutions. They've been with us for many years now. Unlike some fly-by-night operations that hire for the week, we train and retain our skilled workers.

Our workers are skilled, efficient, productive, and focused on keeping your site clean while they work. They do the job right the first time. On May Day we salute workers of the world—especially the fine ones at Integrity Drainage Solutions.

"My experience was great from start to finish. Very professional & thorough. I was impressed with the clean-up after the job and would definitely recommend Integrity. " --Mary C., Milwaukee, WI

#AtoZChallenge – Y is for Yard Drains

During a heavy rain, water will attempt to seep into your home's foundation, or may simply flood your backyard or basement. Usually it's an improperly pitched property provides a direct path for water to move toward a home. That single issue can cause flooding or wet walls, often leading to mold inside the home.

By properly adjusting your property’s grade Integrity Drainage Solutions is able to redirect water away from a home and off your property. Installing a yard drain or 'French Drain' (a.k.a. drain tile) will add to the benefits of property grading.

The systems used by Integrity Drainage Solutions simply help move water away from your home and property using a precise and technical approach. Most homes do not need extensive waterproofing or foundation repair that others often suggest. Our customers appreciate that our projects are typically completed in just one day and does not involve the need for interior intrusion or lengthy restoration.

#AtoZChallenge – I is for Installation of Drainage Tiles

Installation of drainage tiles (also known as a French Drain) effectively supplements the benefits of proper grading. A 4” perforated drain tile backfilled with limestone chips will absorb seepage (underground water) under the center of a swale or other areas of potential water pooling.

The experienced and efficient workers for Integrity Drainage Solutions will excavate a footer (a trench about 6-8 inches deep), then lay a 4” diameter perforated pipe, after the drainage tile is installed. Backfill with limestone chips or washed gravel. Top it all off with displaced earth.

Part of the solution: Drainage tile systems are only about 6 inches beneath the ground. These pipes can freeze during a typical Wisconsin Winter. The system should be the augmenting part of your solution, not the primary solution.

#AtoZ Challenge – G is for Grading

Did you know that you may solve potential foundation issues with grading, or changing the pitch of the land near your home? Usually an improperly pitched property provides a direct path for water to move toward a home. This can cause flooding or wet walls, often leading to mold inside the home.

By adjusting the grade to a negative pitch, Integrity Drainage Solutions can redirect water away from your home and off the property. Installing a yard drain or "French Drain" (a.k.a. drain tile) will add to the benefits of property grading.

Surface runoff is the most common drainage problem faced by most homeowners. Adjusting the grade is often the most efficient and cost-effective solution.

The systems used by Integrity Drainage Solutions simply help move water away from your home or area of concern using a precise and technical approach. Most homes do not need extensive waterproofing or foundation repair that inexperience or unethical contractors often suggest.
Call 1-866-4-NoWater (866-466-9283) for a free consultation.