When rain has nowhere to go, it heads for the lowest point on your property, and far too often that's the ground right next to your foundation. Piedmont Pressure Seal offers drainage installation in Winston-Salem, NC, and beyond, providing a planned route for water to move away from your home, lawn, and basement. We'll design a system around your property's layout and your budget, with no pushy sales tactics along the way.
Piedmont Pressure Seal is a locally owned drainage and waterproofing contractor headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC, and operating since 1989. Our drainage installation work covers underground drain systems, French drain systems, exterior and downspout drainage, water diversion, and fixes for problem yards. We often pair these services with basement waterproofing and foundation repair to protect homes from water damage at every level.
Every roof, driveway, and patio sheds water during a storm, and all of it has to land somewhere. When that runoff collects near your house, it saturates the soil against the foundation, erodes flower beds, and slowly seeps into basements and crawl spaces.
The usual suspects are downspouts that dump water right at the corner of the house, yards that slope toward the foundation instead of away from it, and hard surfaces that send runoff in the wrong direction. Just one inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces roughly 600 gallons of water, so small mistakes add up fast.
Fixing it means giving water a clear path away from the house. We study how your property slopes, where runoff collects, and where it can exit harmlessly, then combine regrading, underground downspout lines, and French drainage to carry water to a proper outlet. The finished system collects water, carries it off, and releases it without causing trouble along the way.
After we finish, heavy storms pass without puddles lapping at the foundation or mud washing across the walkway. Your basement stays drier, your landscaping holds its ground, and you can finally enjoy your yard the day after it rains.
Whatever the size of your water problem, our drainage service covers every piece of the puzzle.
Downspouts that empty at the base of your walls undo all the good work your gutters do. Buried lines or extensions from our crew carry that roof runoff to a safe discharge point well away from the house. Few upgrades deliver as much protection with so little disruption to your yard.
Some properties require a complete network of drains, pipes, and outlets that work together. Our team plans each layout around your lot's slope, soil, and trouble spots, then handles everything from trenching to final cleanup. Proper drainage system installation ensures every pipe has the right pitch, so water flows steadily rather than pooling.
Foundation drains run along the footing and collect groundwater before it builds pressure against your basement walls. Pairing these drains with exterior waterproofing gives your foundation two layers of defense, and it's a combination we often recommend. They're especially helpful for homes on hillsides, where water naturally flows toward the house from uphill.
Henry French, a 19th-century Massachusetts judge and farmer, popularized the gravel-filled trench that still carries his name today. During each French drain installation, we dig a sloped trench, lay perforated pipe wrapped in filter fabric, and top it with clean gravel. Groundwater seeps into the pipe and flows downhill to an outlet, keeping the surrounding soil from staying saturated.
Redirecting runoff can be as simple as reshaping a slope so water rolls away from your home. Swales, berms, and channel drains from our team guide water around the house and keep runoff from driveways or neighboring lots from heading your way. Ideally, the ground should drop about 6 inches over the first 10 feet from your foundation, and we'll work to achieve that for you.
A lawn that turns into a marsh after heavy rain limits how you use your outdoor space. We tackle problem areas with surface drains, catch basins, and French drains sized to handle the amount of water your property receives. With better yard drainage, your grass grows healthier, and muddy footprints no longer follow everyone inside.
Grabbing a mop every time it storms gets old fast. We provide basement waterproofing that prevents water intrusion through a blend of interior and exterior methods, sump pump setups, and moisture control. Our work is built to protect your basement well into the future.
Beneath many Triad homes lies a dirt crawl space that draws moisture directly from the ground. Our crawl space encapsulation service covers the soil and seals the walls with a vapor barrier, reducing humidity and making the area less inviting to mold and pests.
Protecting your foundation protects the value of your entire home. Our foundation repair services include inspections, structural repairs, settlement fixes, and solutions for water around the foundation.
Blocked drain lines can send water right back toward your home. Through our drain cleaning services, we clear packed-in debris, fix slow drainage, and address issues that seem to return every few months.
For long-lasting basement protection, we like to start on the outside. Our exterior waterproofing includes excavating along the foundation, installing a waterproof membrane, and adding drainage to channel water away from your walls.
Interior systems offer a practical option when outside excavation isn't possible. Our interior waterproofing and sump pumps collect water through an inside drainage system and discharge it using a heavy-duty pump.
Left alone, foundation cracks can widen and let in more water each season. With our foundation crack repair services, we seal and reinforce cracked walls, repair concrete, and address bowing walls from the inside or outside.
Runoff from a steep driveway or a neighbor's yard can leave puddles right where you don't want them. We handle small drainage projects that improve surface drainage, redirect downspouts, and manage water across your yard.
Foggy windows, damp drywall, and warped trim can all point to a moisture problem. Our water and moisture management solutions control humidity, stop water intrusion, and help prevent mold in your basement and crawl space.
Here's why homeowners across Winston-Salem trust us to manage their runoff.
Studying runoff patterns on Triad properties since 1989 has given us an instinct for where trouble starts.
A 10% discount goes to every veteran who hires us, because we're grateful for all they've done.
We trust GMX and Dörken Systems Inc. materials whenever a drainage project ties into foundation waterproofing.
Homeowners who choose Delta®-MS receive the Delta®-MS Dry Foundation Guarantee with their installation, and we're active members of the National Association of Home Builders and the National Federation of Independent Business.
Residential French drains and yard drainage projects in Winston-Salem usually don't require a permit, but the rules can change if the system ties into a storm sewer or affects a neighboring property. Sending runoff onto someone else's land can also lead to disputes, so plan the drain's outlet carefully. Before any digging starts, call NC 811 so crews can mark your underground utilities.
A properly installed French drain can last 30–40 years or more. Wrapping the gravel and pipe in filter fabric prevents soil from clogging the system, helping it last longer. That fabric matters even more in Winston-Salem's clay-heavy soil.
The answer comes down to where the water comes from. Surface drains collect water that pools on the ground, such as at the bottom of a slope or near a downspout, while French drains handle groundwater that seeps into the soil. Plenty of North Carolina yards need a combination of both.
Winston-Salem's dense clay soil absorbs water slowly, so rain often sits on the surface instead of soaking in. Flat or poorly graded yards, compacted soil, and downspouts that empty too close to the house all add to the problem. A heavy summer thunderstorm can overwhelm an unprepared yard in minutes.
Good drainage directs water away from your foundation, helping prevent basement leaks, crawl space moisture, and soil erosion. Without it, rainwater can pool against your home and slowly damage the structure. A well-designed drainage system also keeps your yard usable after storms.
FAQs reviewed by Justin Gornto, owner of Piedmont Pressure Seal, a certified and experienced waterproofing service in Winston-Salem, NC.
Contact Piedmont Pressure Seal for a consultation, and we'll map out a drainage plan that keeps your yard and foundation high and dry. Next storm, you can watch the rain from a dry porch instead of bailing out your basement.