1. Why French Drains Matter in Will County, IL

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got water where it doesn’t belong—pooling near your foundation, flooding your yard, or sneaking into your basement after a heavy rain. It’s frustrating, it’s stressful, and it’s probably not the first time it’s happened. You’ve tried patching the problem with store-bought solutions, maybe even paid someone to “grade” the yard or “seal” a wall. But the water keeps coming back.

That’s where a properly installed French drain comes in. It’s not a gimmick. When done right, a French drain redirects water away from your home—and it lasts. But when it’s done wrong? You’re right back where you started, maybe worse.

We’re Allied Waterproofing & Septic, and we’ve worked on yards, homes, and foundations across Will, Kankakee, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Livingston, and Iroquois Counties. We’re not the biggest outfit, but we’re obsessive about customizing the fix to your exact drainage problem. We wrote this guide to help you figure out who actually installs the best French drains near you—and how to tell them apart from the rest.

Let’s start with the problem—and how you can avoid hiring someone who only solves part of it.

2. The Real Problem: Water in Places It Shouldn’t Be

If you’ve got soggy grass, shifting soil, water pooling by your foundation, or a basement that smells like mildew—it’s probably not a random issue. Water always follows a path, and in Will County’s clay-heavy soils and freeze-thaw cycles, that path often leads right to your home if it’s not managed correctly.

A French drain is one of the most effective ways to reroute that water. But not all French drains are built the same, and not every contractor knows how to diagnose the full picture.

So before you sign a contract or write a check, make sure you ask these six questions.

3. Before You Hire Anyone: Why Asking the Right Questions Can Save You Thousands

Most people don’t know what to ask, especially if they’ve never dealt with a drainage contractor before. But asking the right questions upfront protects you from poor workmanship, hidden costs, and short-term “fixes” that fall apart in a year or two.

Here’s what you need to ask—plain and simple.

4. Question 1: Do They Actually Understand Illinois Soil and Weather?

This is not Florida. This is not Arizona. This is Will County, Illinois. Our soil is dense, slow-draining clay, and we go through deep freezes, spring thaws, and flash rainstorms that can wreck a poorly designed system.

Ask your contractor:

• Have you installed French drains in this area before?
  

• What’s different about the soil here?
  

• How deep do you dig? What type of pipe and gravel do you use?

If they can’t explain why those things matter here, they’re not the right fit.

5. Question 2: Will They Look at the Whole Drainage Problem—or Just Sell You a Pipe?

A French drain isn’t just a pipe in a trench. A good contractor will take time to:

• Walk the property
  

• Spot low areas and slope issues
  

• Check for downspouts that dump water next to your home
  

• Consider whether the water needs to drain into a dry well, sump pit, or storm drain

If they quote you a price after glancing at your yard for five minutes? That’s a red flag.

6. Question 3: What’s Included in the Price (and What’s Not)?

Too many folks near Will County call us after someone else started a job and left them with:

• A torn-up yard

• A pile of extra charges

• A drain that barely works

You deserve to know exactly what’s included:

• Will they haul away the soil?

• Will they seed or sod the trench line after?

• Is the gravel wrapped in fabric to prevent clogging?

• Is there a warranty?

If the quote feels vague or rushed, slow down and ask for the full breakdown in writing.

7. Question 4: Can They Show You Real Results, Not Just Promises?

It’s easy to promise, “We fix drainage issues.” It’s harder to back that up with:

• Before-and-after photos
  

• Testimonials from local homeowners
  

• Case studies with actual addresses (or at least towns)

Ask if they’ve worked in Joliet, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, or Manteno. If they have, they’ll probably have photos or past clients who will vouch for the work.

8. Question 5: Will They Respect Your Yard Like It’s Their Own?

A lot of drainage contractors focus only on the trench and the pipe. But your yard isn’t just dirt—it’s where your kids play, your dogs run, and your family lives.

A professional will:

• Minimize lawn damage

• Avoid heavy equipment where it’s not needed

• Clean up after themselves

• Make sure the finished line doesn’t leave a visible scar

We believe in leaving a yard better than we found it. You should expect the same.

9. Question 6: How Do They Handle Problems After the Job’s Done?

Even the best systems sometimes need an adjustment. Maybe a tree root interferes. Maybe a storm shifts the soil. Maybe water starts pooling somewhere new.

Ask the contractor:

• What happens if I see standing water again?
  

• Is there a service call fee?
  

• How long does your warranty last?

If their answer is, “We don’t usually get callbacks”—that’s not enough. You want someone who stays accountable, not someone who disappears.

10. Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring a Drainage Contractor

You’re smart to do your research. Here are some warning signs to run from:

• Vague quotes with no line items
  

• "We don’t need permits” (some towns do)
  

• High-pressure sales tactics
  

• No local references
  

• “We can start tomorrow” without seeing your property

A proper drainage solution takes planning—not just a trench and a truck.

11. Why Allied Waterproofing & Septic Cares So Much About Getting It Right

We’ve been helping homeowners in Kankakee and the surrounding counties for years, and we’re still surprised by how many people were sold “quick fixes” that only moved the problem around. We don’t just dig trenches and walk away. We look at your entire yard like it’s a system, because it is.

We started Allied Waterproofing & Septic with one goal: do the job the right way—even if it takes longer, even if it means fewer jobs per week. Our business is small, but that lets us pay attention. You won’t get lost in the shuffle.

We live here. We work here. And we’re proud to protect homes here from water damage—one drain at a time.

12. Final Thoughts: Choose a Company That Listens Before They Dig

You don’t need to be a drainage expert. That’s our job. But you do deserve to work with someone who listens, explains things clearly, and backs up their work with real results.

If you’re tired of the water, the stress, and the guessing—take your time. Ask these six questions. Compare the answers. And choose the team that’s going to treat your home like it matters.

Because it does.

Ready to Ask the Right Questions?

If you're in Will, Kankakee, Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Livingston, or Iroquois County and want a second opinion—or just someone to walk your yard with you—give us a call at Allied Waterproofing & Septic. We're happy to help you make sense of it all, whether you hire us or not.