# Runwell: drainage contractor in Durham, NC. > Find drainage options for a wet yard, runoff near the house or a drain that backs up. Compare collection methods and discuss an estimate for your property. URL: https://runwelldurhamdrainagecompany.com/ For the ground you call home. A soggy yard. Water beside the house. A drain that stopped doing its job. Runwell offers exterior drainage work that connects the source, route and outlet. [+1 (984) 983-6234](tel:+19849836234) [Get an Estimate](#estimate) Water has a way.Give it a better one. Source, route and outlet. Planned together. ## The symptom is the starting point. ### Water sits on the lawn Check the low point, surrounding slopes and where runoff arrives. Surface collection and grading solve different problems from subsurface interception. [Explore yard drainage](#yard-drainage) ### Water gathers by the house Follow the roof runoff and the ground around the wall. Moving water a few feet only helps if it has somewhere suitable to go next. [Look at exterior runoff](#foundation-drainage) ### An existing drain backs up Start with the inlet, pipe and outlet. A blockage, damaged section and unsuitable route can leave similar signs after a storm. [Consider repair options](#drainage-repair) ### A new patio changes the flow Plan drainage around the finished levels before paving. Decide where roof and surface water will go so later work does not undo a new route. [Compare surface routes](#yard-grading) ## Some yards need a drain. Some need a different path. Collection, conveyance and the receiving area have to work together. Here is how the main options fit. ## Make the wet part of your yard useful again. ### Read the water When a lawn stays too wet to mow, start where the water first arrives. Runwell offers yard drainage in Durham for surface ponding and persistent saturation. Water may arrive across the surface, collect in a shallow depression, or remain in ground that cannot absorb it quickly. We start by looking at where the water comes from and where it could go. A drain should solve that particular problem, not simply occupy the lowest patch of grass. ### Collect what arrives Surface runoff often needs a collection point or a continuous route across the ground. A catch basin can receive water at a low point, while a shallow swale can guide a broader flow. The choice depends on the levels, the space available and the receiving area. Water moving beneath the surface needs a different assessment. ### Keep the route practical Trees, gates, paving and existing utilities all affect the route. We consider how an installation would cross the property and what needs restoring afterward. A useful plan also leaves access for clearing the inlet and checking the outlet. Burying a pipe does not remove its maintenance needs. ### Know what the work covers The estimate should identify the wet area, the collection method, the proposed discharge point and the finish. If water remains after a storm, record how long it stays and whether it appears without rain. Those observations help separate a runoff problem from a possible leaking water line or irrigation fault. [Explore yard drainage](/yard-drainage/) ## Intercept water moving through the ground. ### Start with the right problem If the puddle is gone but the lawn still gives underfoot, a French drain may fit. Runwell installs these drains where water moves through the ground and has somewhere suitable to discharge. Its perforated pipe, drainage aggregate and filter arrangement work together, with a suitable route for discharge. It is not automatically the answer to every puddle. Fast surface runoff may need an inlet, grading or a combination of measures instead of relying on water to enter a buried trench. ### Build the whole system The trench is only one part of the installation. We consider the collection depth, pipe route, soil conditions and outlet together. A curtain drain may intercept water before it reaches a wet area, but placement depends on the property. A generic depth or a bag of gravel cannot establish whether the proposed system will work. ### Respect the ground Parts of the Durham area have clay-rich soils that transmit water slowly. That makes it especially important to distinguish collecting water from expecting it to soak away. Soil and fill can vary across one lot. Where infiltration is part of the plan, site conditions need checking rather than assuming every yard behaves alike. ### Leave a maintainable finish Before installation, agree on the disturbed area, access and restoration. Afterward, keep the outlet visible and protect the route from later digging. If an existing French drain has stopped working, an inspection may identify a blockage, damaged pipe or unsuitable outlet. Adding another trench is not the only possible response. [Explore French drain installation](/french-drain-installation/) ## Give roof water somewhere better to go. ### Follow the roof runoff During rain, watch what happens just beyond the downspout elbow. Runwell can route concentrated roof water away from a bed, walkway or wall when the receiving area can handle it. When it ends beside the house, that water can saturate a bed, cross a walkway or collect at the foundation. An extension can help, but its end matters just as much as its start. The proposed route needs a receiving area that can handle the discharge. ### Choose conveyance deliberately Solid pipe carries collected roof water along a route. Perforated pipe collects water from surrounding ground. Treating those as interchangeable can put water back into an area the work was meant to protect. Connections, cleanout access and any shared lines should be explained before the trench is opened and the route is covered. ### Check the destination A property boundary, street or neighboring yard is not permission to discharge there. In Durham, changes involving public right-of-way can require review. The assessment should establish a lawful, workable outlet and consider erosion where water leaves the pipe. An emitter is an outlet component, not proof that the surrounding ground can receive the flow. ### Plan around future work If a patio, driveway or garden project is coming, discuss it before burying drainage. Accessible connections can make future cleaning and inspection easier. When an old downspout disappears underground, locate its route before replacing it blindly. A record of the finished pipe and outlet helps keep later landscaping from creating a new blockage or accidental break. [Explore downspout drainage](/downspout-drainage/) ## Sometimes the ground needs a better route. ### Look beyond the puddle Before adding soil to a low patch, look at what lies just downhill. Runwell offers grading to reshape the surface route so water can leave the affected area without creating a second wet spot. Filling that spot without checking the next part of the route can move the problem somewhere else. We look at the direction of surface flow, nearby structures and the receiving area before discussing changes to the grade or an underground collection system. ### Use the surface when it fits A shallow swale can move runoff across a property without putting every part of the route underground. Its shape and finish need to fit the available space and anticipated flow. It should remain usable and maintainable, with a destination that does not create a new erosion problem or send concentrated runoff toward a neighbor. ### Compare the alternatives Grading and French drains do different jobs. One changes how water travels over the ground; the other can collect water within it. Some properties need both. Existing trees, roots, paving, utilities and foundation levels can limit how much ground can change. Those constraints belong in the assessment before a particular method is selected. ### Include the finish Earthwork leaves disturbed ground that needs a suitable finish. The written scope should explain soil handling, turf or planting restoration and how the new route will remain open. Erosion control matters while vegetation establishes. A stream, regulated buffer or public drainage feature can also change the permissions required, so those boundaries need checking before work begins. [Explore yard grading](/yard-grading/) ## Find the failure before replacing the system. ### Start with what changed Did the drain work until the patio went in, or has it always backed up? Runwell offers outdoor drainage repairs, and that history helps distinguish damage from a change in the amount of runoff. It may also be receiving more water after changes to a roof, patio or neighboring ground. We start with the symptoms and the accessible parts of the route before deciding what needs to be cleaned, repaired or redesigned. ### Separate blockage from damage A full basin does not show exactly where a problem sits. Inspecting the route can help distinguish debris from a broken connection, crushed pipe or an unsuitable level. Cleaning can restore a sound line, but it will not correct a route that cannot discharge. The method should suit the pipe condition and the access available. ### Keep the parts that work Focused repair can be sensible when the remaining system is sound and its outlet still works. Replacement may be more appropriate where repeated defects or the original layout prevent reliable flow. The estimate should explain that difference and identify which components stay, which change and what evidence supports the recommendation. ### Make the repair usable later The finished job should leave a clear route for future maintenance. Catch-basin sediment, grass over a grate and buried outlets can cause recurring trouble even when the pipe is intact. Ask what to inspect after a storm, where access points are and what restoration is included. Keep photographs of any exposed repair before the ground is closed. [Explore drainage repairs](/drainage-repair/) ## Address the runoff. Understand the limits. ### Trace water before treating symptoms If rainwater collects against a wall, follow the downspout and the nearest paved edge first. Runwell offers exterior foundation drainage to deal with water arriving from outside the house. Those sources call for different work. We look at how water reaches the house and whether it has a practical route away. An exterior drainage improvement should have a defined purpose, rather than a blanket promise to fix every moisture problem. ### Coordinate roof and surface water Roof drainage and surrounding ground should work together. A buried extension that discharges into a saturated low spot can leave the original problem unresolved. Grading also needs to respect the building and existing features. The assessment should connect the source, collection method and receiving area before deciding where a trench belongs. ### Keep specialist work separate Structural movement, damaged foundation walls and interior waterproofing can require other qualified specialists. Exterior sump discharge also needs coordination with the pump system; a new outside pipe does not establish that the pump or its electrical supply is suitable. We keep those boundaries clear so the proposed work is understandable. ### Prepare for a useful assessment Photographs during and after rain can help show the direction of flow and how long water remains. Include the downspouts, wet area and surrounding ground, not just a close view of the puddle. If water appears in dry weather, mention that too. Before agreeing to work, review the outlet, access, restoration and any permissions that affect the route. [Explore water near the house](/foundation-drainage/) ## Explore the rest of the work. ≋ ## Know what is in the estimate. A length of pipe is only part of a drainage job. Compare the route, the outlet and the finish before comparing the price. [Compare drainage costs](/cost/) The water Where it starts, how it arrives and what needs collecting. The route Length, depth, gates, trees, utilities and crossings. The outlet Levels, receiving conditions and applicable permissions. The finish Soil handling, turf, beds, paving and maintenance access. ## Understand the choices before the digging starts. ### Where is the water coming from? #### A plan for the whole property A useful drainage plan connects the water source, collection method and receiving area. Start with the result you want: a usable lawn, a clear walkway or less runoff beside the house. Surface flow and water within the ground may need different approaches. A pipe is only one part of that decision. Follow the route beyond the wet patch before choosing equipment. Check levels, access and who controls the proposed outlet. If an existing system can be repaired, compare that narrower scope with replacement. The aim is work that addresses the cause and leaves a finish you understand. [Read: Durham Drainage Guide: Choosing the Right Solution](/guide/durham-drainage-guide/) #### Water that stays after rain A puddle shows where water collects, not why it stays. Note where runoff enters, the size of the wet area and how long it remains after rain stops. A shallow depression can hold surface water even when the surrounding lawn feels firm. Broader soft ground can point toward a different collection problem. Compare observations from more than one storm where practical. Do not assume that filling the hollow will solve the route beyond it. An inlet, a surface correction or subsurface interception should follow the pattern you observe and the outlet available. [Read: Standing Water After Rain: Why It Stays in Your Yard](/guide/standing-water-after-rain/) #### Wet ground in dry weather Wet ground during dry weather deserves a source check before a runoff project. Irrigation, a leaking supply line or persistent subsurface water can produce a similar patch. Note whether irrigation schedules, household water use or recent work seem connected, without opening buried lines or trying to diagnose the cause yourself. Tell Runwell that the wetness continues without rain. A new drain may carry some water away while leaving its source untouched. Establishing whether a plumbing or irrigation specialist belongs in the first step can prevent paying for the wrong work. [Read: Wet Yard Without Rain: Why the Ground Stays Soggy](/guide/wet-yard-without-rain/) ### Match the drain to the water #### French drain or catch basin? A catch basin collects runoff that reaches a surface grate. A French drain admits water from surrounding ground through a permeable collection assembly. That difference matters when a patio floods quickly but nearby soil stays firm, or when a lawn remains saturated after visible puddles disappear. Some properties need both methods, but their roles should be clear. A basin needs a surface route toward it and accessible sediment storage. A French drain needs suitable placement, filtering and discharge. Compare how the water arrives before choosing either, then check whether the receiving area supports the proposed flow. [Read: Should You Choose a French Drain or a Catch Basin?](/guide/french-drain-vs-catch-basin/) #### French drain or grading? Grading changes the way water travels over the ground. A French drain can intercept water moving within it. If a depression or a slope toward the house creates the problem, changing the surface may be worth considering before adding buried collection. If the ground stays saturated beneath an apparently workable surface, another approach may be needed. Existing trees, foundations and paving limit how much the grade can change. Compare the disturbance and finished use of the yard as well as the collection method. Some properties need coordinated surface and subsurface work, with a shared understanding of the outlet. [Read: Does Your Yard Need a French Drain or Grading?](/guide/french-drain-vs-grading/) ### Choose the outlet before the trench #### A destination that works Choose a destination before committing to the trench. A receiving area must work with the collection level and accept discharge without recurring ponding or erosion. The nearest boundary, ditch or street is not automatically available. Ownership, easements and applicable permissions can change the route. For Durham city right-of-way, confirm the review needed before proposing construction or a connection. If a gravity route is unavailable, consider whether a different alignment or a suitable infiltration option deserves assessment. Do not treat an emitter or extra storage as proof that the water has somewhere effective to go. [Read: Where Can Drainage Water Discharge in Durham?](/guide/where-drainage-water-can-go/) #### Carry water or collect it Solid pipe carries water already collected at a downspout, basin or other inlet. Perforated pipe allows water to enter from surrounding ground. Using a collection pipe where you need conveyance can release water along the route instead of keeping it contained until discharge. Ask where the proposed system changes from collection to conveyance and why. Pipe joints, fittings, support and maintenance access matter alongside the material. A sound specification explains what each section does. It should also account for any connected flows so concentrated roof water does not undermine the purpose of a subsurface collection trench. [Read: Where Should Solid or Perforated Drain Pipe Be Used?](/guide/solid-vs-perforated-drain-pipe/) #### Look beyond the emitter A pop-up emitter or open pipe end is the final component, not the whole discharge plan. Look at where the released water travels next. A low receiving area may already be saturated when the drain needs to empty, and concentrated flow can erode an unprotected slope. Keep the outlet accessible and consider how vegetation, sediment and later landscaping could obstruct it. Walking surfaces deserve attention where discharge might create slippery conditions. Ask how the chosen arrangement works during rain and what happens if the receiving area cannot accept more water. That answer should precede installation. [Read: Pop-Up Emitter vs Daylight Outlet for Yard Drains](/guide/drainage-outlets-and-emitters/) ### When an existing drain stops working #### Why a French drain fails When a French drain stops helping, the symptom does not identify a single failure. Soil entering the aggregate, a damaged connection, a buried outlet or an increased water load can all change performance. Start with accessible parts and the history of what changed before choosing a repair. Cleaning may help a sound pipe with an obstruction. It will not restore a collection assembly that has filled with soil or correct an outlet at an unsuitable level. Ask which finding supports the proposed work and whether the rest of the system can remain. Another trench should have a reason. [Read: French Drain Not Working? Why It Stopped](/guide/french-drain-not-working/) #### Keep, repair or replace A focused repair can make sense when a system has one identifiable defect and a workable route. Retaining sound pipe avoids unnecessary disturbance. Replacement becomes more relevant when defects are widespread, levels do not support discharge or the original collection method does not address the water source. Compare evidence and limits rather than assuming that new is always better. Ask what cleaning or repair would achieve, what it would leave unresolved and how restoration differs. If the condition is still uncertain, a separate investigation may be more useful than choosing the largest scope immediately. [Read: Should I Repair or Replace My Yard Drainage?](/guide/repair-or-replace-drainage/) #### Choose pipe for the route Pipe material is one decision within the route. Compare the actual product, fittings, support requirements and access for maintenance rather than treating all PVC or all corrugated pipe as interchangeable. Changes in direction, loading and burial conditions can affect the appropriate specification. Rigid pipe can require different fitting arrangements from flexible pipe, but neither compensates for poor levels or an ineffective outlet. Ask how the installation will maintain its intended alignment and remain accessible for suitable cleaning. The useful choice is the product and installation detail that fit the job, not a material name by itself. [Read: Is PVC or Corrugated Pipe Right for My Drain?](/guide/pvc-vs-corrugated-drain-pipe/) ### Runoff, boundaries and permissions #### Water crossing a boundary When water crosses a boundary, document its path and any changes you have observed. Photographs from your own property and a simple sketch can help explain the issue. Do not assume that the person uphill caused a legal wrong or that diverting water toward another boundary is an acceptable repair. A proposed improvement needs to account for incoming flow and the receiving area beyond your wet patch. Shared access, permissions or a disputed change may need resolving before construction. Keep the drainage scope and any legal responsibility question separate so the proposed work does not create a second problem. [Read: Neighbor Runoff: Drainage Options for Your Yard](/guide/neighbor-runoff/) #### Know which office applies The property address and proposed work determine which authority needs to be involved. Durham city right-of-way work requires a permit, and some private-property construction also needs review. A pipe entirely inside a garden and a connection affecting a street feature are different proposals. Identify the outlet, excavation limits and any shared or regulated feature early. Ask who will establish applicable requirements and what remains unresolved in the estimate. Permission is part of making a route workable, not an administrative detail to discover after digging. County and neighboring-town projects should not inherit city assumptions automatically. [Read: Durham Drainage Permits: When Work Needs Review](/guide/drainage-permits-durham/) #### Read the recorded easement A drainage easement can preserve a route or access while limiting what may be built or changed there. Its presence does not automatically establish public maintenance. Read the recorded document and any relevant maintenance agreement rather than relying on a shaded area on a map. This matters when locating a trench, placing a rain garden or restoring a bed. A convenient location may conflict with access that needs to remain available. Ask who can authorize the change and what restrictions carry forward after the work. Keep those requirements with the installation records for future landscaping. [Read: Drainage Easement Maintenance and Yard Work](/guide/drainage-easements/) ### Clay soil, dry wells and rain gardens #### Check the soil at the site NC Geological Survey identifies clay-rich Triassic soils with slow water transmission in parts of this region. That is a reason to check the site, not a diagnosis of every Durham yard. Imported fill and different layers can change conditions across one property. The key choice is whether the proposal carries water away or relies on it soaking into the ground. A dry well needs suitable infiltration and overflow conditions; added stone cannot create absorption capacity the soil lacks. A collection system still needs a viable outlet. Ask how the observed soil conditions change the recommendation. [Read: Clay Soil Drainage Options in Durham](/guide/clay-soil-drainage/) #### Storage is not disposal A rain garden uses a planted surface feature; a dry well stores water below ground. Both depend on suitable site conditions and a plan for water beyond their storage or infiltration capacity. Available space alone does not establish that either will work. Compare actual infiltration, groundwater, setbacks and overflow before choosing. Also consider maintenance and how you want to use the finished area. A planted feature needs ongoing care, while a buried system still needs accessible inspection and maintenance arrangements. If absorption is unsuitable, a different receiving route may deserve attention instead of a larger storage volume. [Read: Would a Rain Garden or Dry Well Suit My Yard?](/guide/rain-garden-vs-dry-well/) #### Ask about eligible assistance Durham County conservation assistance has assessment and eligibility requirements. Speak with the program before committing to work you hope it will support. Funding is not automatic, and an ordinary contractor estimate does not establish that a project qualifies. Prepare the water-source observations, affected area and intended result for that conversation. Ask which measures are eligible, what must occur before construction and what responsibilities remain after installation. Keep any hoped-for assistance separate from the private contract total until it is confirmed. A program in one jurisdiction should not be assumed to cover a property in another. [Read: Durham Drainage Assistance Programs](/guide/durham-drainage-assistance/) ### What the estimate should include #### Compare the same scope An estimate should identify the water being addressed, collection method, pipe route and receiving area. It should also explain access, material specifications and any permission or hidden-condition uncertainty. A length of trench alone does not make two proposals comparable. Ask which components stay if an existing system is repaired, and what evidence supports replacement if that is proposed. Check soil disposal, turf, planting and hardscape restoration separately. Finally, establish which maintenance points remain accessible and what records you will keep. These details help you compare the complete result rather than the most visible component. [Read: Drainage Estimate Checklist: What to Look For](/guide/drainage-estimate-checklist/) #### Agree on the finish Excavation can disturb more than the trench because equipment, stockpiled soil and access need space. Agree on that footprint before work begins. Backfilling, replacing topsoil, seeding and installing sod are different finishes and should not be treated as interchangeable wording. Discuss who handles establishment care and how disturbed soil will be protected while vegetation develops. If paving or planting is affected, include its restoration explicitly. Planning another garden or patio project can change the sensible sequence. Keep access points visible in the finished landscape so a neat appearance does not make future maintenance difficult. [Read: Lawn Restoration After Drainage Installation](/guide/drainage-lawn-restoration/) ### Keep roof and surface water away from the house #### Connect the exterior work Downspouts, paving and the surrounding grade can all direct water toward a house. Follow those sources together before choosing a trench beside the wall. Moving a roof outlet into another saturated patch may leave the original problem unresolved. Exterior drainage has a defined purpose: managing the relevant water outside. It does not establish the condition of a foundation or replace interior waterproofing and structural advice where those are needed. If water enters inside or the building shows movement, explain that when discussing scope. Coordinating the right specialists is more useful than promising one outside pipe will solve everything. [Read: Water Pooling Near Your Foundation? Keep It Away](/guide/protect-foundation-from-runoff/) ### Keep the finished system working #### Keep access points visible A drainage system needs its collection points and outlet to remain accessible. Leaves, sediment, overgrown grass and later landscaping can interfere with otherwise sound components. Keep a route record so future work does not bury access or damage the pipe. Observe the system after rain from a safe position. Note new ponding or erosion rather than assuming it always needs cleaning. A changed flow source or damaged section may require a different response. Follow the guidance for the installed components and arrange suitable help for heavy covers or inaccessible parts. Maintenance should match the actual system. [Read: Yard Drainage Maintenance Checklist](/guide/maintain-yard-drainage/) ## Bring the whole picture. Photograph the wet area, the ground around it and the nearest downspouts. Note when water appears and how long it remains. A wider view is more useful than a close-up of one puddle. ## Local ground. Local responsibility. A postal address does not settle who maintains a ditch, road drain or easement. Confirm the property location and the applicable authority when planning work. [Durham County](/service-areas/durham-county/)[Chapel Hill](/service-areas/chapel-hill/)[Hillsborough](/service-areas/hillsborough/)[Carrboro](/service-areas/carrboro/)[Cary](/service-areas/cary/)[Morrisville](/service-areas/morrisville/)[Butner](/service-areas/butner/)[Creedmoor](/service-areas/creedmoor/)[Apex](/service-areas/apex/)[Raleigh](/service-areas/raleigh/) Ask about availability for your property. For Bahama and Rougemont, start with the [Durham County responsibility check](/service-areas/durham-county/). ## Know what happens next. ### Explain the problem Tell us where water appears, when it happens and what you want to change. ### Assess the route The assessment considers the source, accessible components, levels and receiving area. Agree what further checks are needed. ### Agree the work Review the collection method, outlet, permissions, access and restoration before installation begins. ### Keep the record At completion, review the scope and maintenance access, with the route information kept for future property work. ## A clearer plan for a wet-yard problem. Runwell manages exterior drainage work through licensed and insured contractors. We focus on exterior drainage: understanding the source, choosing a suitable route and making the scope clear. The conversation should leave you knowing what the work addresses, what it includes and where a separate specialist may be needed. ## Good questions. Straight answers. ### Can a drain be planned before I add a patio? Yes. Consider the finished patio levels, roof runoff and outlet together before choosing the drainage route. Coordinating the work can avoid placing a new pipe where later excavation will disturb it. ### What if I cannot find the end of an old buried pipe? Treat its destination as unknown until it is established. A disappearing pipe does not prove that it reaches a suitable outlet. Further investigation may be a separate scope before repair or reuse is recommended. ### Does every wet patch need excavation? No. Accessible debris, a short roof-water extension or a limited surface correction may address some problems. The source and receiving conditions should determine whether buried work is useful. ### Can the finish preserve my garden beds? Discuss the beds, roots and access before agreeing to a route. Avoiding them may be possible, but could change length or excavation methods. Specify what is protected and what restoration is included. ### Should I have every drain replaced at the same time? Only where the findings support it. Sound components with a suitable route may remain. Ask which defect or changed condition makes each proposed replacement necessary. ### What can I learn from a photograph of the puddle? It shows the visible extent at that moment. Wider views can show approaching runoff and nearby downspouts. Photographs cannot establish buried condition, precise levels or whether a discharge route is permitted. ### Will an outside drain stop a crack in the foundation? Exterior drainage manages water within its defined scope. It does not diagnose or repair structural movement. Explain any cracks or interior water entry so separate qualified advice can be coordinated where needed. ### Should private irrigation lines be mentioned before digging? Yes. Identify any known irrigation, lighting or other privately installed lines. Utility coordination and private-line information belong in preparation, because a proposed trench is not evidence that the route is clear. ### Can the project be split into smaller scopes? Sometimes, if each part has a useful result and does not depend on unfinished downstream work. Ask which components must operate together and whether later work would disturb the first phase. ### What does Runwell offer for an uncertain drainage problem? Runwell offers exterior drainage improvements, including collection, conveyance, grading and repair. Start by describing your goal and observations so the discussion can identify the appropriate scope without choosing a product prematurely.