Drainage Solutions
Licensed & Insured | Free Estimates
Downspout Extensions
Bury Downspouts Safely Away
Protect Basements From Rain
Eliminate Ugly Surface Tubes
Freeze-Proof Sloped Piping
Heavy-Duty PVC Installation
French Drains
Fix Spongy, Squishy Yards
Clog-Free Pipe Technology
Manage Subsurface Ground Water
Permanent Drainage Solutions
Wrapped Filter Fabric Systems
Yard Drainage
Stop Standing Water Fast
Protect Your Home’s Foundation
Custom Gravity-Fed Systems
Fix Muddy Des Moines Lawns
Professional Yard Restoration
Drain Tile Systems
Relieve Wall Water Pressure
Stop Foundation Soil Heaving
Protect Structural Retaining Walls
Deep-Level Groundwater Relief
Essential Freeze-Thaw Protection
Underground Downspout Extensions & Routing
Your gutters do a great job catching rainwater from your roof, but if your downspouts are dumping hundreds of gallons of water right next to your foundation, you are asking for trouble. Above-ground plastic accordion tubes are an eyesore, a trip hazard, a nightmare to mow around, and they easily get crushed or blow away.
HCS Concrete specializes in burying downspout extensions. We connect your existing gutters to durable, underground PVC or heavy-duty corrugated piping, routing it safely to a pop-up emitter or discharge point far away from your house, driveway, and patios.
Our Downspout Routing Process:
Sizing & Trenching: We calculate the volume of roof runoff and trench a precisely sloped path away from your foundation.
Secure Connections: We cleanly adapt your metal downspouts to thick, underground piping, ensuring a tight seal that won't leak at the foundation wall.
Discharge Installation: We install flush-mounted pop-up emitters in your lawn or route the pipe directly to a curb, creek, or storm drain, then backfill the yard.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will buried downspouts freeze and burst in the winter? When properly pitched by our team, all the water drains out completely by gravity, leaving the pipe empty so there is nothing inside to freeze and burst.
Do you use corrugated pipe or solid PVC? We offer both! Solid PVC is incredibly durable and easy to clean out, while heavy-duty corrugated is highly flexible for navigating tree roots and complex landscaping.
Professional French Drain Installation
If your yard feels like a sponge days after a rainstorm, or if water is constantly creeping toward your foundation, surface drainage isn't enough. You are dealing with subsurface water, and a properly installed French drain is the gold standard solution.
A French drain works by giving underground water an easy, gravity-fed path of least resistance. At HCS Concrete, we don't cut corners on these systems. We excavate a precise trench, install high-quality perforated piping surrounded by washed drainage rock, and wrap the entire system in professional-grade, non-woven landscape fabric. This crucial step prevents Iowa's heavy clay and mud from clogging the pipe, ensuring your system flows freely for decades.
Our French Drain Process:
Strategic Trenching: We map out and dig a trench with the perfect downward slope to keep water moving away from your home.
The "Burrito Wrap" Installation: We line the trench with heavy-duty filter fabric, lay the perforated pipe, cover it in washed river rock, and fold the fabric over the top to lock out silt and roots.
Seamless Restoration: We cover the system with topsoil and seed, or top it with decorative rock to blend flawlessly into your landscaping.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How long do French drains last? Because we fully wrap our systems in high-grade filter fabric to prevent soil intrusion, an HCS-installed French drain can easily last for decades without clogging.
Can you connect my downspouts to a French drain? We highly recommend keeping roof runoff (downspouts) in a separate, solid pipe system rather than pushing it into your French drain, so it doesn't overwhelm the perforated pipe. We can install both simultaneously in the same trench!
Expert Yard Drainage Solutions in Des Moines & Central Iowa
A soggy, unusable yard is more than just a muddy nuisance—it’s a direct threat to your landscaping, your concrete flatwork, and your home’s foundation. In Central Iowa, heavy spring rains and clay-heavy soils easily lead to pooling water that refuses to drain. If left unchecked, surface water can wash out the base beneath your driveway or patio, leading to expensive concrete cracking and settling.
At HCS Concrete, we design and install custom yard drainage systems that actually solve the root cause of the problem. We don't just put a band-aid on it; we assess the topography of your property, identify exactly where the water is getting trapped, and create a permanent, gravity-fed exit route.
Our Yard Drainage Process:
Free Site Assessment: We visit your property to evaluate the pooling areas, check your soil grading, and determine the most effective path for the water to exit.
System Design: Depending on the issue, we design a system using catch basins, channel drains, or subtle yard swales to capture surface water before it pools.
Clean Installation: We know you care about your lawn. Our crew excavates carefully, installs the necessary drainage infrastructure, and backfills the area to leave your yard looking clean and ready to heal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will installing a drainage system ruin my lawn? We take pride in minimizing our footprint. While trenching is required, we carefully remove turf, manage our dirt piles, and restore the area as neatly as possible when finished.
How do I know if I need a catch basin or a French drain? Catch basins are great for surface water (puddles you can see). French drains are better for subsurface water (spongy, squishy grass). We’ll tell you exactly which one you need during your estimate.
Exterior Drain Tile Systems For Foundations & Retaining Walls
Hydrostatic pressure is the immense weight and force of water-logged soil. It is surprisingly powerful—strong enough to bow basement walls, destroy massive retaining walls, and heave heavy concrete slabs. Exterior drain tile is the hidden hero that relieves this pressure before it causes catastrophic damage.
Whether we are building a large block retaining wall to support your new driveway, or protecting a structural foundation, HCS Concrete installs professional-grade drain tile systems at the footing. This perforated piping captures deep groundwater and gives it an immediate escape route, ensuring the soil behind your walls and under your slabs stays stable and secure.
Our Drain Tile Process:
Deep Excavation: We excavate down to the base footing of the retaining wall or foundation to access the area where water pressure builds up the most.
Pipe & Aggregate Installation: We lay heavy-duty perforated drain tile alongside the footing and backfill it entirely with clean, washed aggregate rock to allow maximum water flow.
Compaction & Finish: We carefully backfill the remaining soil, compacting it in lifts to prevent future settling, ensuring your walls and concrete are fully protected.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the difference between Drain Tile and a French Drain? They function similarly, but French drains are typically shallower and meant to dry out a yard, whereas exterior drain tile is installed deep alongside a structural footing (like a retaining wall or foundation) to relieve heavy soil pressure.
Do I absolutely need drain tile behind a retaining wall? Yes. Without proper drainage, water gets trapped behind the wall. In Iowa winters, that water freezes, expands, and will quickly push your retaining wall over. Drain tile is a mandatory step for our hardscape projects.
Don't just take our word for it, hear what other customers have to say.
"An amazing experience! Tanner with HCS Concrete was great at putting together a quote and setting up a quick turnaround on install of the sidewalk and hot tub pad we needed installed. He gave us a great price as well! His crew was very professional and covered everything with plastic and took care of my yard while installing the concrete. They even put a cool trim on the finish! Best concrete contractor I have worked with in a long time! I would recommend to anyone."
"Tanner is great to work with, communicates well and kept informed on all details. The work was done well and in the time frame we discussed along with pricing. Will definitely use his company again, Very satisfied customer. My yard and driveway look great!!!"
Next Steps
Contact Us
Call 515-974-9497 or fill out a form to schedule your free consultation.
Proposal
A quote for your project will be sent for your review and approval. After acceptance, your project will be scheduled.
Execution
It’s time to get to work! Any service you choose will be completed in good hands.