Our Services
Drainage Solutions & French Drains in Charlotte, NC
French drains, downspout extensions, regrading, and yard drains.
Service Overview
Drainage Solutions tailored to your property
Charlotte's combination of clay soil, rolling lots, and big summer thunderstorms creates drainage problems on a huge percentage of properties. Standing water in the yard, soggy spots that never dry out, water in the crawlspace, mulch washing out of the beds, erosion gullies down the slope — these aren't problems that fix themselves.
We diagnose drainage issues at the source and fix them with the right combination of French drains, catch basins, downspout extensions, swales, and regrading. No band-aid fixes — we figure out where the water is coming from, where it needs to go, and design a system that actually moves it.
What we do
A snapshot of the work we commonly take on under this service. Your scope is built from what your property actually needs — pick and choose, or let us recommend.
- French drain installation
- Catch basins & yard drains
- Downspout extensions & burial
- Sump pump systems
- Erosion control
- Regrading & swales
Who it's for
Homeowners with wet yards or basements
Mosquito breeding zones in the backyard, water in the crawlspace, soggy patches that kill the lawn — we identify the source and route the water away properly.
Properties with erosion problems
Mulch washing out, gullies forming on slopes, exposed roots, hardscape settling — we install drainage and grading solutions that stop the erosion at the source.
New construction with grade issues
Builder didn't grade quite right? Downspouts dump right next to the foundation? We fix builder-grade drainage problems all over the metro.
How we scope your project
Every property is different, so every quote is too. Here's the general path we take from first call to finished work — adjusted to fit the size, complexity, and goals of your specific project.
1. Diagnose the source
We walk the property during or after a rain when possible, identify where water is coming from, where it's pooling, and where it can legally go.
2. Design the system
French drain, surface drains, downspout burial, regrade, swale — usually it's a combination. You get a written plan with depths, pipe sizes, and outlet locations.
3. Install correctly
Trench to grade, gravel envelope, perforated pipe wrapped in fabric to keep clay out, then backfill and restore the surface — sod, mulch, or gravel as it was.
4. Test & verify
We run water through the system before we leave to confirm it actually flows and outlets where it should.
Why Piedmont Landscape & Irrigation
- We use proper 4-inch perforated pipe with fabric sock and stone envelope — not the cheap corrugated black pipe that clogs in two seasons.
- Outlets are planned — to a daylight point, dry well, or storm drain — never just 'into the woods.'
- Downspout burial done in solid PVC with cleanouts, so you can actually maintain it.
- We coordinate with regrading and landscape work so the finished property looks intentional, not like a construction site.
Where we work
We provide drainage solutions across the greater Charlotte NC metro. Click a city for local details, neighborhoods we serve, and project examples:
Frequently asked questions
How much does a French drain cost in Charlotte?+
Most residential French drain projects run $25–$60 per linear foot depending on depth, soil conditions, and outlet distance. Full yard drainage systems typically run $3,000–$10,000. We give flat written quotes after walking the property.
Will a French drain fix my wet basement?+
Often, yes — if the issue is surface water or subsurface water moving toward the foundation. We pair exterior French drains with regrading and downspout extensions to keep water away from the structure.
Where does the water actually go?+
To a legal outlet — usually daylight at a lower point on the property, into a storm drain (where municipally allowed), or to a dry well sized for your soil. We never tie into sanitary sewer.
Can you bury my downspouts?+
Yes — solid PVC, properly sloped, with cleanouts and pop-up emitters or daylight outlets. Burying downspouts is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost drainage improvements you can make.
Stop fighting the same wet spot every spring.
Drainage problems get worse, not better. Get a real diagnosis and a real fix — book a free on-site evaluation today.