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Drainage systems in Southeast Michigan.
Most basement leaks start outside. Bad grading, short or clogged downspouts, and overwhelmed gutters push water against your foundation faster than the soil can move it away. We solve drainage at the source — before it becomes a basement problem.
How we approach it
The Quali-Dry
approach.
Surface first, subsurface second.
Half of 'drainage problems' aren't drainage — they're a downspout dumping water two feet from the foundation. We start with the cheap, easy wins: extended downspouts, regraded swales, gutter overhauls. Subsurface French drains and catch basins come in when surface fixes aren't enough.
Move water all the way out.
The mistake we see constantly is drainage that 'gets water away from the house' six feet, then dumps it into the same low spot it came from. Real drainage routes water to a daylight outlet, storm sewer, or dry well — far enough that gravity finishes the job for good.
Foundation-first thinking.
Lawn-care companies install French drains for puddle problems. We install them with the foundation in mind first. The grade pitch, the discharge path, and the pit sizing are all set to protect the basement — not just to clear standing water on the lawn.
What's included
Scope of work,
in plain English.
- Surface French drains (perforated tile in stone trench)
- Subsurface foundation drainage (footing drains, sleeved tile)
- Yard grading and regrading away from the foundation
- Downspout extensions (rigid or buried)
- Catch basins and surface inlets
- Dry well installation
- Sump discharge plumbing (sealed and freeze-proof)
- Gutter inspection, cleaning, and extension
Common questions
What homeowners
ask us first.
When do I need a French drain vs. just regrading?+
If soil is saturated and water sits even after grading work, you need subsurface drainage. If water mostly runs off and the issue is where it ends up, surface grading and extended downspouts are usually enough. We diagnose at the first visit.
How much does a French drain cost?+
Yard-scale French drains: $25–$60 per linear foot installed, depending on depth, soil, and discharge complexity. A typical 60-foot run with a buried outlet is $1,800–$3,500. Larger systems with dry wells or grading work cost more.
Can drainage fix a wet basement on its own?+
Sometimes. If the cause is purely external water reaching the foundation, yes — surface and subsurface drainage can solve it. If water is already coming through the cold joint, drainage helps but doesn't replace interior waterproofing. We'll tell you which scenario you have.
How long do French drains last?+
Our installations last 25+ years with stone-trench construction and a proper outlet. The typical failure mode is outlet clogging, not the drain itself — annual outlet inspection is a 10-minute job.
Where we do this work
Drainage
across Southeast Michigan.
Related services
Often paired
with drainage.
Free, no-pressure
written estimate.
Tell us what's going on. We'll come look, explain what we see, and email you a written estimate within one business day. No deposit. No script.
