Drainage Contractors

We have GOT to put in a drainage system into our landscaping. Is this something that Exterior Worlds can help us with?
For more than 20 years, Exterior Worlds has been helping Houstonians deal with drainage issues, issues made very serious due to our dense clay soils, flat topography, and increased impervious surfaces because of heavily-forested lots being compacted by years of construction. These combined factors have caused more homes and streets to flood during our intense rainfalls.

As a result, local ordinances have begun to use the model currently employed by the Memorial Villages that require minimum pipe sizes, flow rates, engineered drainage plans, temporary drainage systems, topographic maps, calculations, and as/built plans. If a drainage contractor or landscape service company undertakes a drainage project without a complete understanding of these requirements, you as the homeowner can be out-of-pocket substantial sums of money.

The other elements of your landscape architecture, such as luxury swimming pools, garden structures and irrigation systems, should blend seamlessly with the drainage system. So it is best to hire a Houston lawn service company that uses competent drainage contractors to take advantage of this kind of expertise.

What can Exterior Worlds tell us about hiring a drainage contractor?
Here are the items we suggest you discuss with any drainage contractor before hiring them. If you’re working with landscape designers or landscape architects, they can recommend a competent professional:

• Explore their understanding of drainage areas, which is called a watershed.
• Ask about any engineering plans. Some jurisdictions require an engineered landscape drainage plan that includes runoff equations.
• Make sure they handle permitting issues. Many cities require that a drainage plan be submitted to comply with regulations concerning minimum pipe size.
• Discuss the types of drains to be used. Your drainage system may include gutter downspout tie-ins, channel drains, French drains and deck drains.
• Ask about their tree preservation methods. For this essential job, we recommend hand-digging trenches around trees to minimize damage to them. Or they can tunnel under tree roots using compressed air. Alternately, pressurized water can be used to dig deep trenches. All methods expose roots so they are not torn.

Watershed is defined as the total water drainage area with its different slopes, soil porosity, rates of water run-off, and the dividing line between each drainage surface area such as deck, roof, and lawn areas. A drainage expert can conduct a watershed analysis that will identify these different areas and then can make recommendations regarding the appropriate fixtures and pipe size for your particular system.

Once we’ve put in our drainage system, what benefits can we expect?
A proper drainage system keeps your home from flooding, thus the number one benefit is that your property is protected. It also provides protection for your plants and trees, which further enhances your property value. Problems with your home’s foundation are alleviated. The drains in your patio design will carry water away from that area so as to prevent standing water that can cause slippery surfaces and mosquito breeding grounds