Drainage & Irrigation Contractor in Wilmington, NC
Landscape drainage built for hurricane runoff and sandy soil. Irrigation systems designed for the coast. 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
Drainage and Irrigation Are Two Halves of the Same Problem
Most homeowners hire one vendor for drainage and another for irrigation. The result is a yard where the sprinklers undermine the drainage and the drainage undermines the sprinklers. We offer them individually or as a single integrated system. One crew, one scope, one responsible party.
Drainage Solutions for the Coast
Coastal drainage problems are volume and soil problems. Sandy subsoil drains inconsistently. Hurricane runoff overwhelms residential systems built for normal rain. Low-lying lots collect water nowhere else can. We design for storm conditions, not average ones.
French drains for foundation protection
Surface drains and catch basins
Downspout extensions and tie-ins to drainage systems
Channel drains for driveways, patios, and pool decks
Permeable paver systems for storm water compliance
Yard regrading
Sump pump systems for low-lying lots
Pool deck and hardscape drainage integration
Irrigation Systems Built for the Carolina Coast
Coastal irrigation has a different math than inland. Sandy soil dries fast and needs more frequent, shorter cycles. Salt-tolerant landscapes need different zoning. Local water restrictions require smart controllers. We design accordingly.
Spray and rotor zones for lawn coverage
Drip irrigation for beds, trees, and gardens
Smart, weather-based controllers
Rain sensors and water-restriction-aware programming
Backflow prevention
New sod establishment programs
Existing system repair, expansion, and audits
How It Comes Together
Free on-site consultation. We walk the yard, look at grade, soil, and where water moves, and scope the build.
Design and proposal. You'll see the plan, materials, and a clear written proposal before committing.
Permits and materials. Permits pulled in-house, materials locked in.
Build. Most drainage and irrigation projects take 1 to 3 weeks from start to walkthrough.
Where We Build
Thorpe Landscapes installs drainage and irrigation up and down the coast of New Hanover County all the way to Southport. Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Leland, Hampstead, Kure Beach, Castle Hayne, Surf City, Topsail, Porters Neck, and Wrightsboro.
FAQs
How do I know if I need drainage work?
Common signs: standing water after every storm, water in the crawlspace, eroded soil, soggy spots that won't dry, lawn damage in low areas, water running across hardscape. If you've seen any of those, especially after a hurricane or tropical storm, the system in place wasn't built for coastal volume.
What's the difference between a French drain and a surface drain?
Surface drains catch water on the surface at low spots and route it away. French drains catch subsurface water moving through soil along a perforated pipe in gravel. Coastal yards often need both, plus a sump pump if the lot is low-lying.
How do you handle hurricane and storm-volume runoff?
Designed in from the start. Coastal drainage needs capacity for storm volume, not average rain. We size pipes, drains, and grades based on actual storm data for the area, then tie into existing systems or daylight to a stable discharge point.
Can you install drainage and irrigation at the same time?
Yes, and it's almost always cheaper and cleaner to do them together. One trench, one design, one mobilization, one finish grade. Splitting the projects costs more and risks the systems working against each other.
Will the irrigation system handle local water restrictions?
Yes. Smart controllers programmed for your area's restrictions, rain sensors, and zone-by-zone scheduling keep the system compliant and water bills low.
“I cannot speak highly enough about Thorpe Landscapes and the work they did at my house. We had a travertine driveway and pool deck installed, as well as an outdoor kitchen and putting greens. From top to bottom they are a company dedicated to making sure their customers get exactly what they want.
The management team was a constant presence on site. They communicated well, and were great about making recommendations. Dan Thorpe and Dan Massie were incredibly patient with me about any changes I wanted to make to the design and thoroughly answered all of my questions.
The install crews could not have been more friendly or polite. Their performance was consistent, they were always on time, and made sure to clean up the property at the end of each work day.
Thorpe Landscapes is always my first call for any outdoor projects. They continue to be my regular lawn care maintenance provider.
I definitely recommend them for your landscape/hardscape needs.”
– Erin Adams, Wilmington
Let’s Solve Your Water Problems
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