Yard Drainage & Stormwater Management in Wilmington, NC
Standing water, storm runoff, a lot that never dries out: we fix the drainage problems coastal yards actually have. 15 years across Wilmington and the Carolina coast.
15 Years on the NC Coast · NC GC License #100844 · NC Landscape Contractor #1400 · NC Stormwater BMP Certified · Permits Handled In-House
A Yard That Stays Dry Through Storm Season
Wilmington yards flood because the ground here is sand sitting over water, and a single storm can drop more rain in an afternoon than the soil can soak up. Quick fixes work until the first real storm, then the water is back.
At Thorpe, we plan your drainage around the biggest storm your yard will see, not an average rainy day, and give all that water a safe place to go. That's why it keeps working season after season.
Need A French Drain?
French drains are the most-requested fix we install on the coast: perforated pipe in gravel that pulls water out of the ground and carries it to a safe discharge point. They're their own craft, so they have their own page you can find here.
If your problem is standing water, a soggy lawn, or water at the foundation, start there. For regrading, surface drainage, and stormwater work, keep reading.
Drainage Solutions for Coastal North Carolina
French drain installation for foundation and crawlspace protection
Channel drains for driveways, patios, and pool decks
Surface drains and catch basins at low spots
Flow wells and arc tank systems
Downspout extensions and tie-ins
Yard regrading to move water away from the house
Interceptor drains
Yard drains
If your drainage ties into a patio or pool deck, we build it into the hardscape so it disappears into the design.
Every Drainage Project Includes
A free Water Path Walkthrough of your yard, wet weather welcome
A written plan showing where the water goes, yours to keep
A firm price before work starts, no mid-job changes
Permits pulled in-house
Our own crews, never subcontractors
Cleanup and lawn restoration when we're done
Financing available
Stormwater, Retention Ponds, and Rain Gardens
We’re a NC Stormwater BMP certified contractor and an NC Rain Garden Professional (Cert #372), so it stands up to inspection as well as to the weather. Low coastal lots and new construction often come with stormwater rules to meet, not just puddles to fix. We design and build to handle storm volume the right way: retention and detention ponds, rain gardens, and grading that holds and releases water instead of dumping it on the neighbor.
Thorpe Landscape’s Drainage Process
Free Water Path Walkthrough. We walk the yard, look at where water collects, and scope the build.
Design and proposal. You'll see the plan, the discharge point, and a clear written proposal before committing.
Permits and materials. We handle permits in house, and decide on materials together.
Build. Most drainage projects take 1 to 3 weeks, but some solutions can be achieved in as little as a day.
Where We Work
Coastal Hardscapes by Thorpe Landscapes installs across New Hanover county and the surrounding areas. Including Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Leland, Hampstead, Wrightsboro, Kure Beach, Castle Hayne, Surf City, Topsail, and Porters Neck.
FAQ
My yard floods every time it rains. What can you do?
First we find out why. On the coast it's usually some mix of a high water table, sandy soil that drains unevenly, and a flat lot with no low point for water to escape to. We catch the water with a french drain or surface drains, then carry it to a spot where it can safely discharge. The goal is a yard that drains on its own, not one you have to wait out after every storm.
What does drainage work cost in Wilmington?
It depends on what the water needs: a short french drain run is a different job than regrading or a retention pond. We give a firm price after walking the site, free, so you know the number before any work starts, and it won't change mid-job.
Will drainage even work in sandy soil with a high water table?
Yes, but the design has to account for it. Sandy subsoil drains inconsistently and a high water table limits how much the ground can absorb, so we lean on capturing the water and moving it out, with a sump pump where the lot is too low to drain on its own. We pick the method to fit your lot, not the other way around.
Do you handle stormwater requirements and permits?
Yes. We're NC Stormwater BMP certified and pull all permits in house, so retention ponds, rain gardens, and new-construction stormwater work meets code as well as it handles the rain.
“We worked with Thorpe Landscapes to address some major drainage issues in our yard. We got several quotes for the project, and decided to proceed with Thorpe not because they were the cheapest option, but because they understood the problem and we felt they would take the time and do the research necessary to truly resolve our issues rather than just putting a bandaid on it.
After looking into multiple options, discussing pros and cons, and taking several careful measurements of the yard, we came up with a plan.They set practical, realistic expectations on timeline and budget, and walked us through the project every step of the way.
The crew was incredibly courteous and communicative and you could tell that they enjoyed their work and took pride in what they did. At the end of the project, we were blown away by what they were able to accomplish. Not only did they do a fantastic job of addressing our standing water issues, they made our yard absolutely beautiful in the process. We highly recommend them!
– Lauren Marcilliat, Wilmington NC
Let's Solve Your Water Problem
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