Residential and Commercial Drainage Design and Installation Across Central Texas

Water always finds the low point. Our job is to understand where it is coming from, where it wants to go and how to control it before it damages your home, landscape or outdoor improvements.

With more than 20 years of experience correcting drainage and landscape problems throughout Central Texas, IronStream approaches drainage as a complete property solution. We evaluate elevations, grading, soil conditions, roof runoff, hard surfaces, existing landscaping and available discharge or storage locations before recommending a system.

A successful drainage project begins with accurate information. Using a professional laser transit and grade rod, we measure important elevations throughout the property and identify low areas, negative slopes, drainage paths and potential outlet locations.

During your free initial drainage assessment, we examine how water moves across the property and determine whether the problem originates from roof runoff, neighboring properties, improper grading, compacted soil, patios, pools, driveways, retaining walls or an undersized existing system.

After the assessment, we provide a carefully considered drainage plan and clear project proposal. Complex projects may also include CAD design, elevation mapping or coordination with a civil engineer.

Not every drainage problem needs a French drain. Water may need to be collected at the surface, intercepted below ground, redirected through grading or captured for later use. Installing the wrong type of drain can leave the original problem unresolved and create new issues elsewhere.

IronStream looks at the property as a complete system. We select the right combination of drainage, grading, landscaping, storage and erosion-control methods based on the actual source of the water.

Our drainage services include:

• French drains and subsurface drainage systems
• Catch basins, area drains and landscape drains
• Channel drains, trench drains and driveway drains
• Underground downspout connections and roof-runoff piping
• Swales, berms and property regrading
• Dry creek beds, rain gardens and landscaped drainage areas
• Pump basins and pump-assisted drainage where gravity flow is not available
• Drainage around homes, foundations, patios, pools and outdoor living areas
• Driveway, sidewalk and parking-area drainage
• Retaining-wall drainage and erosion protection
• Drainage beneath synthetic turf and putting greens
• Natural-turf and troubled-landscape drainage
• Underground water-storage and detention systems
• Rainwater-harvesting tanks, filtration and pumps
• Pond and water-feature integration
• Commercial catch-basin and drainage-system improvements
• Existing drain repair, cleaning and restoration
• Outlet protection, erosion control and landscape stabilization

A large roof can release a tremendous amount of water during a Central Texas storm. When downspouts discharge beside the foundation, onto a patio or into a low section of the yard, that concentrated runoff can create erosion, standing water and repeated landscape damage.

We can connect multiple downspouts to a properly designed underground drainage system and carry the water to an appropriate outlet, landscaped collection area or storage tank. Cleanouts, filters and maintenance access can also be incorporated to help keep the system working properly.

Sometimes the drainage problem is the landscape itself. Negative grading, raised beds, patios, compacted soil, improperly placed retaining walls and previous construction can trap water or direct it toward a structure.

IronStream can regrade problem areas, construct berms and swales, reshape beds, install drainage beneath natural or synthetic turf and rebuild sections of the landscape to create positive water movement. We can also integrate decorative stone, dry creek beds, native plants and erosion-resistant landscaping so the finished solution looks intentional rather than added as an afterthought.

Patios, driveways, pool decks, sidewalks and other hard surfaces increase the amount and speed of runoff because water cannot soak into the ground. They can also create new low points or redirect water toward the home.

We install channel drains, catch basins, underground piping, grading improvements and erosion controls around hardscapes and outdoor living areas. Because IronStream also works in landscaping, irrigation and outdoor construction, we understand how drainage must function alongside the rest of the property.

The best drainage solution is not always to send valuable rainwater away. When the property, intended use and budget support it, capturing and storing runoff can solve a drainage problem while creating a dependable supplemental water source.

IronStream designs residential and commercial rainwater-harvesting systems that can collect water from roofs, parking areas and other suitable surfaces. Systems may include downspout connections, prefiltration, above-ground or underground storage, pumps, controls, filtration and integration with the landscape irrigation system.

Captured water can be used for landscape irrigation and other approved non-potable applications, reducing dependence on municipal water while controlling stormwater runoff.

IronStream has experience with residential tanks, large commercial storage systems, booster pumps, transfer pumps, variable-speed pump stations and complete irrigation integration. Our commercial experience includes Watertronics and SkyHarvester systems, along with storage tanks and water-management applications reaching capacities of up to 100,000 gallons.

Whether the project calls for a small residential tank or a sophisticated commercial collection, storage and pumping system, we understand how the catchment, filtration, storage, overflow, pumping and distribution components must work together.

Some Central Texas water providers offer rebates or conservation incentives for qualifying rainwater-harvesting systems, rain gardens, rainscapes and related improvements. Availability, funding, service-area eligibility and preapproval requirements vary by utility and can change over time.

Check your city before your project and estimate begins. When a rebate is available, we can help provide the project information needed for your application.

Drainage installation often crosses existing irrigation, landscape lighting and developed portions of the property. You should not have to hire several different contractors to complete one drainage project.

If our crew damages an irrigation pipe, sprinkler head, valve, control wire, landscape-lighting line or another property component while completing the contracted work, IronStream will repair or restore what we damaged. This work is included and will not be added to your final bill.

Normal landscape disturbance required to install the drainage system, including sod, plants, mulch, decorative rock, edging, synthetic turf or hardscape restoration, is additional unless specifically included in your proposal. We can include those repairs in the original project so one company handles the drainage, irrigation and landscape restoration from beginning to end.

Drainage systems are buried, which makes proper design, dependable materials and careful installation especially important. We build our systems for reliable flow, service access and long-term performance.

Every IronStream drainage installation is backed by a one-year workmanship and material warranty. If there is a problem with our installation, we stand behind our work and make it right.

Some drainage conditions involve floodplains, drainage easements, public rights-of-way, structural concerns, large commercial sites or runoff that may affect neighboring properties. These situations may require a licensed civil engineer, permitting or a sealed drainage plan.

If engineering is necessary, we will explain why and can help connect you with the appropriate professional. We will never pretend a landscape-level solution can replace engineering when the property requires something more.

Standing water, erosion and soggy turf are warning signs, but the greatest concern is water moving toward the residence. Negative grading, concentrated downspout discharge and improperly directed runoff can eventually contribute to water intrusion, damaged landscapes, deteriorating hardscapes and expensive property repairs.

Taylor Eisenbach has evaluated and corrected hundreds of drainage problems throughout his career. Many could have been addressed earlier for a fraction of the cost of repairing the damage that followed.

If water regularly collects near your foundation, crosses a patio or driveway, erodes the landscape or remains in the yard long after a storm, it is time to have the property evaluated.

IronStream provides residential and commercial drainage solutions throughout Austin, Round Rock, Hutto, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Elgin, Manor, Jarrell, Salado and surrounding Central Texas communities.

Contact us today to schedule your free initial drainage assessment and protect your property before the next heavy storm.