Local team · NC

Yard drainage & French drains in Charlotte, NC

Your local Drain Designs specialists address wet yards, crawlspaces and basements at the source, with custom-designed systems and a transferable lifetime warranty option.

LOCAL LINE: (704) 431-5868WARRANTY: TRANSFERABLE LIFETIMEEVALUATION: FREE
Meet your local owner

A local owner, not a call center.

Nick Washburn, Owner · Drain Designs of Charlotte
Owner · Drain Designs of Charlotte

Nick Washburn

Nick moved to North Carolina from New York and built his reputation on relentless energy and work ethic. After running his own contracting business, he took on the Holly Springs franchise, and within a year earned the Charlotte territory. Your Charlotte system is designed and stood behind by the owner himself.

Franchise owner since 2023
Straight answers

What Charlotte homeowners ask us first

Why does my Charlotte yard stay wet?

Piedmont red clay drains slowly. Water sits on top of it, saturates lawns, and pushes toward foundations instead of soaking in.

A Drain Designs system intercepts that water with the right combination of French drains, American Drains, downspout piping, and grading, then moves it to a safe discharge point before it reaches your lawn or foundation.

How much does yard drainage cost in Charlotte?

Every system is custom-designed, so pricing depends on run length, depth, soil, and where the water can discharge. You get a written, itemized quote after an on-site assessment.

Assessments are scheduled case by case. Systems that qualify carry our transferable lifetime warranty option, which stays with the home when you sell.

Service area

Serving Charlotte and surrounding communities

Local phone
(704) 431-5868
National line
1-800-DRAINAGE (800-372-4624)
Assessment
On-site diagnosis by an experienced Drainage Technician, then a written quote
Communities served
MatthewsMint HillHuntersvilleCorneliusDavidsonPinevilleBallantyneConcordGastoniaWaxhawWeddingtonIndian TrailFort Mill SCRock Hill SC
Local blog
Charlotte drainage articles →
Reviews
See our Google reviews → (opens in a new tab)
What we install

Systems built for Charlotte conditions

American Drain System

Our patented, clog-resistant alternative to the French drain, with the transferable lifetime warranty option.

French drains

Improved versions of the classic, including surface/French hybrids for lawns that flood from above and below.

Downspout & gutter drainage

Underground piping that gets roof water away from the foundation instead of dumping it beside it.

Crawlspace & basement waterproofing

Manage moisture under the house that drives mold, rot, and pests.

Sump pumps

Correctly sized, correctly discharged. The backstop for the lowest point of the system.

Yard drainage repair

Diagnosis and repair of failed or clogged systems other contractors installed.

Recent work

Real Drain Designs systems

Crew connecting teal PVC drain lines in an open trench
Connecting the lines
American Drain installed along a curved concrete walkway
American Drain at a walkway
Teal PVC drain lines in a trench beside a fence
Drain run along a fence
Drain Designs specialist checking grade along a brick foundation
Checking grade
Finished walkway and planting bed with a stone-lined drain edge
Finished walkway edge
Two teal PVC lines running from a downspout corner
Twin downspout lines
About the Charlotte team

Drain Designs of Charlotte, in our own words

We Are “The Rain Drainage Specialists”

French Drains & American Drains
Downspout & Yard Drains
Waterproofing and More

We are Mecklenburg County’s full-service residential & commercial drainage company serving Greater Charlotte – From Historic to New construction – We are the Drainage Specialists. Call us for Downspout Drains, French Drains, Yard Drains, Waterproofing & More.

Serving the Greater Charlotte area, Drain Designs provides comprehensive residential and commercial drainage services. From French drains to the innovative American Drain System, their expertise ensures effective management of rainwater and stormwater runoff, protecting properties from potential water damage.

We have the world’s best drainage solutions and products – “The American Drain System” patented by our founder. Our structural trench systems are quickly replacing outdated, temporary Waterproofing & French Drain Technology with a system you can access & actually see working. Find out more at American Drain.com!

We design, install, test, improve, maintain and repair drainage systems to better manage rain-water/ stormwater runoff.

Do you know if you have a Foundation Drain? It’s a French drain that wraps around your home & most homes have it. Do you know where the outlets for it and for your downspout drains are? Most homeowners don’t so they are often clogged within a couple of years. French Drains and Downspout Drains require Maintenance – and we can help!!!

Call us for help with French Drains, Crawlspace & Basement Waterproofing, Flooded yards, Saturated Lawns and Soggy Landscaping, Standing Water and Erosion Issues, Rainwater Harvesting and more.

Proper Drainage prevents foundation/ structural damage, pest issues, mold and depreciation.

Each of our franchise locations is staffed by experienced professionals committed to delivering high-quality, long-lasting drainage solutions to meet the specific needs of their communities.

Nick Washburn, owner of Drain Designs of Charlotte.

Nick and his best friend Patrick moved to NC from New York. Patrick started with Drain Designs about 5 years ago. He introduced me to Nick who had a handyman business and helped me with some projects on my place. I saw that Nick had incredible energy and work ethic.

He discussed the struggles of being in a business with so much competition and undercutting. I offered him the Drain Designs opportunity and he ran with it. He started with the Holly Springs NC franchise and within a year struck a deal for the Charlotte area. He hopes to obtain Wilmington NC and several other areas in the future.

We are The Drainage Specialists with a passion for health and preservation. We are proud to lead the industry by example with an impeccable reputation & more than two decades of experience.

Kevin Kondas | Founder of Drain Designs & The American Drain Company



Client testimonials

What Charlotte homeowners say

★★★★★

Drain Designs did a job for us awhile back and we couldn’t be happier with how it went. They used the right materials and were early for the job every day. This was the only company that I could find that didn’t use corrugated pipe, which was important to me. Everything was thoroughly explained and Nick was terrific to work with. It’s not too often that the owner is out in the field working alongside their crew making sure things are done right, but he did it. He truly cares about his customers and wants to make sure that everything is done to his high standard. I will continue to recommend Drain Designs to friends and family.

Nick Mason · Charlotte, NC
★★★★★

I recently had the pleasure of working with Drain Designs of Charlotte, and I couldn’t be more impressed with their service. From the initial consultation to the final installation, their professionalism was evident at every step. The team paid meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of the drainage solution was carefully planned and executed. What stood out the most was their friendly and approachable demeanor. They were incredibly patient, taking the time to answer all of my questions thoroughly. This made me feel confident and informed throughout the entire process. The installation was performed with the utmost care and cleanliness. The crew was respectful of my property, leaving the site spotless once the job was completed. I highly recommend Drain Designs of Charlotte for anyone in need of top-notch drainage solutions. Their expertise, dedication, and customer-focused approach truly set them apart.

Shiva · Mint Hill, NC
FAQ

Charlotte drainage questions, answered

How much does yard drainage cost in Charlotte?

Every Drain Designs system is custom-designed, so pricing depends on the length of the run, depth, soil conditions, and where the water can legally discharge. After an on-site assessment in Charlotte, you receive a written, itemized quote. Assessments are scheduled case by case; diagnostic work needed for an accurate quote (drain scoping, laser-level surveying) may carry an hourly charge, explained up front.

Why does my Charlotte yard stay wet?

Piedmont red clay drains slowly. Water sits on top of it, saturates lawns, and pushes toward foundations instead of soaking in. A custom-designed drainage system intercepts that water and moves it to a safe discharge point before it reaches your lawn or foundation.

What areas around Charlotte do you serve?

Our Charlotte team serves Matthews, Mint Hill, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Pineville, Ballantyne, Concord and surrounding communities. If you're nearby, call (704) 431-5868 and we'll confirm coverage.

What's the difference between a French drain and the American Drain?

The American Drain is Drain Designs' patented upgrade to the traditional French drain, engineered to capture more water and resist the clogging that causes ordinary French drains to fail. It's available with a transferable lifetime warranty option that stays with the home.

Drainage assessment

Get your Charlotte drainage assessment

“Protect your home & yard with expert drainage solutions.” Tired of dealing with standing water or foundation damage? Keep your home and landscape safe with our professional drainage systems: prevent water damage, reduce puddles & erosion, long-lasting solutions. Don’t wait until it’s too late – schedule your consultation today.

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Talk to your Charlotte team today.

On-site assessment · custom design · transferable lifetime warranty option

Call (704) 431-5868