Northwest Drainage Repair

Northwest drainage repair, installation and maintenance of your drains. Born and raised in the wet, Northwest.

Northwest drainage repair of all sorts of different drain systems. Here in the Northwest after some time drains typically get clogged one way or another. We the abundant trees, landscape geography diversity and constant construction that all threaten our drainage systems.

We have tools such as scopes with cameras, high pressure jetting tools and years of experience that help us identify and drainage issues.

Types of Northwest Drains

The types of drainage systems commonly used here are tailored to manage excess water effectively, protecting homes, yards, and infrastructure from flooding, erosion, and water damage. Below are the main types of drainage systems relevant to the Northwest:

Surface Drainage Systems

Description: These systems manage water on the ground’s surface by using shallow channels, ditches, or swales to direct runoff away from homes, driveways, and low-lying areas. In the Northwest, they often involve grading the land to guide water naturally toward a main drain or natural outlet.

Why It’s Used Here: With frequent rain and flat or gently sloping terrain in many areas, surface drainage prevents pooling and flooding. Swales—shallow, vegetated channels—are popular for their natural look and ability to slow water flow while allowing absorption.

Example: A homeowner in Seattle might use a swale lined with native plants to direct rainwater away from their property toward a storm drain.

Subsurface Drainage Systems (French Drains)

Description: Installed underground, these systems use perforated pipes surrounded by gravel to collect and redirect water from saturated soil or near foundations. Known as French drains, they’re a go-to solution for managing groundwater. Providing Northwest drainage repair, we install and service French Drains often.

Why It’s Used Here: The Northwest’s wet climate often leads to high water tables and soggy soil, especially in clay-heavy areas. French drains protect basements and crawlspaces—a common concern in places like Tacoma or Portland—by moving water away before it seeps in.

Example: A French drain might be installed around a home’s foundation in Everett to prevent water from pooling under the house during heavy winter rains.

Slope Drainage Systems

Description: These systems use pipes anchored along a sloped area to channel water downward, relying on gravity to move it away from structures or vulnerable spots.

Why It’s Used Here: The region’s hilly terrain, like the slopes around Snoqualmie or Bellevue, makes slope drains ideal for directing runoff from higher elevations. They’re often paired with surface systems to handle water cascading down hillsides.

Example: A slope drain might carry water from a backyard in Kirkland down to a lower street level, preventing erosion on the incline.

Downspout and Gutter Systems

Description: Gutters collect rainwater from roofs, and downspouts channel it to the ground or into other drainage systems, like French drains or storm sewers.

Why It’s Used Here: With the Northwest’s heavy rainfall—think Seattle’s 37+ inches annually—these systems are essential for every home to keep water from pooling around foundations or flooding yards. Extensions or underground pipes often connect downspouts to broader drainage solutions.

Example: In Tacoma, a homeowner might connect their downspouts to a buried pipe leading to a rain garden, a popular eco-friendly option in the region.

Stormwater Drainage Systems

Description: These are larger-scale systems, often municipal, involving storm sewers, culverts, and catch basins to manage runoff from streets and properties. In residential settings, they tie into home drainage systems.

Why It’s Used Here: Urban areas like Seattle and Portland rely on these to handle the volume of stormwater from impermeable surfaces (roads, parking lots). The Street Edge Alternatives (SEA) program in Seattle, for instance, mimics natural drainage with roadside swales and permeable surfaces.

Example: A catch basin in a Bellevue driveway might feed into the city’s storm sewer, reducing street flooding during a downpour.

Each of these systems addresses specific challenges posed by the Northwest’s wet climate, clay soils, and varied landscapes. For instance, the region’s emphasis on sustainable solutions—like rain gardens or bioswales—reflects a local push to manage water naturally while reducing environmental impact. Homes in flatter, urban areas might lean on surface and stormwater systems, while rural or sloped properties might combine slope and subsurface drains. The best choice depends on your specific site—soil type, slope, and rainfall patterns all play a role.