French Drains

French Drains

A Better French Drain for Maine Basements

Does your sump pump run constantly, but water still finds a way in – along the floor, through the walls, or underneath the slab of your home?

That’s where a French drain system can make all the difference.

At Evergreen, we install Hydraway drainage systems – fast-draining, clog-resistant systems designed for Maine’s heavy soils and unpredictable weather. It’s just one part of our basement waterproofing services that help solve basement moisture problems for good.

A key distinction between the drainage systems we install versus surface-level “gutter” style systems other companies offer is that our systems are installed 10″ below the top surface of the slab and beside the footing (if there is one). Our systems are designed for superior performance, fewer maintenance issues, and stronger protection for your home against water.

Basement floor
Hydraway

Why Homeowners Trust Hydraway to Protect Their Basements

Built for performance. Hydraway systems move water up to 70% faster than traditional drainage systems. That’s the highest inflow rate available today.

Excellent for Maine soil. Unlike gravel-based systems that clog with dirt and debris, Hydraway stays clean and keeps working – even in the heavy clay and silt common to our service area in Coastal and Southern Maine.

Tested and trusted. With a 0% failure rate when properly installed, this system gives you long-term peace of mind.

French Drains: An Important Step in Comprehensive Basement Waterproofing

A French drain is powerful, but it’s only one of the tools at your disposal when you work with Evergreen on a basement waterproofing strategy. Other solutions we may use in tandem with French drains include:

With Evergreen, you don’t just stop water – you create a basement that’s dry, healthy, and energy efficient from the ground up.

Dehumidifier
EHP employees at work

How We Install Your French Drain

  1. We trench along the interior perimeter of your basement and install the Hydraway system below slab level.
  2. We backfill with clean stone and connect the system to a new sump pump.
  3. We restore the concrete floor and clean the work area – leaving your basement neat, dry, and ready.

Book a Free Basement Consult

Every basement tells a different story. We’ll help you understand yours—and build a customized waterproofing plan that works for your home. We’ve worked with thousands of Maine homeowners from Portland to Camden. Talk to Evergreen Home Performance today for effective, long-term solutions to basement water issues.

Evergreen team sitting around a table with a homeowner reviewing results from Energy Audit

We’re here to guide you to a dry and healthy basement. Call 207-594-2244 or schedule your free consult online today.

Stay ahead of Maine storms with a basement drainage system that doesn’t back up.

BOOK YOUR FREE CONSULT TODAY

My husband and I bought a home on the water in Owls Head and decided to make the investment in Evergreen's recommendations for insulation. Brian Robinson spent 3 hours examining every nook and cranny before he made practical suggestions and explained them thoroughly to us.

Marie McNeely

Owls Head

The Evergreen crew who installed insulation in my attic were fantastic! They were very professional, worked exceedingly hard, and they did an excellent job. They were very pleasant and friendly to be around. They cleaned up beautifully after each work day, and left my home in great shape on when they walked out the door for the last time. I can't believe they were able to accomplish all that they did with heat soaring into the 80s and 90s. It was pretty unbearable up there! They have my highest praise and my gratitude.

Cynthia F.

South Portland

We had a fantastic experience working with Evergreen to insulate our roof this winter. Everyone was extremely friendly throughout the process - the crew at our home worked hard, were approachable with questions, and the team leader even showed me around the project to point out specific areas they were working to improve.

Joel Wentz

We had Evergreen Home Performance of Rockland come in to make our home more energy efficient, and what a TOP notch crew. Brian and his crew did an amazing job from start to finish. Very knowledgeable and professional. We would Definitely highly recommend this crew to anyone who is looking for energy efficiency in their home with a company that truly is an expert and knows how to do a quality job and truly cares about their customer.

Melissa S.

Owls Head

Evergreen did a fantastic job insulating our 1930's home. The onsite team was professional, clean, and really just a joy to interact with throughout the process. A blower test at the end showed a significant decrease in air leakage. I highly recommend Evergreen.

Kristen H.

South Portland

The Evergreen Team did a fabulous job and was very tuned and responsive to the particular needs we had. The job was done right on budget and we are thrilled with the improved warmth and energy efficiency.

Ira M.

Rockland

From start to finish, our experience was incredible. Justin was extremely helpful. The crew was fast, friendly, and efficient. And most importantly, our home is WAY warmer and our heating is less costly. I'd highly recommend evergreen to anyone looking to upgrade their home!

John S.

South Portland

Evergreen listened and produced a thoughtful evaluation, proposal and comprehensive plan for our attic and basement. They exhibited excellent workmanship, teamwork, and came back as planned after the completion of the job to test the outcomes. Their overall performance as insulation and home improvement contractors is truly outstanding and we highly recommend them.

Susan S.

Saco

Several years ago Brian Robinson evaluated the crawl space at my summer home on Islesboro where I knew moisture was becoming a problem. I had done quite a bit of work in the space many years prior with mixed results. When Brian offered some suggestions, they were ideas that incorporated work previously done, and would be a relatively low cost effort to improve the situation. He offered this advice over several phone conversations of some length, informally, and at no charge.

Cliff R.

Islesboro

Really great experience from start to finish with Evergreen. They helped us prioritize what needed to be completed first, and has made a significant difference in our hearing costs already. Plus they were really friendly and considerate to work with!

Amy W.

Kennebunk

We initially contacted Evergreen through Efficiency Maine for an energy audit, which was conducted promptly and professionally by Justin McEdward, one of their Energy Advisors who is BPI-certified. After a thorough inspection of our newly purchased home, Justin explained in great detail what we needed and did not need. It was agreed that Evergreen would remove all of the existing attic insulation, which was not adequate, and replace it with blown in cellulose, to a rating of R-60.

Thomas W.

Scarborough

Last week, my oil company asked if we were using some other kind of fuel because our usage was so much less than they had expected We are very happy with the results; the house is much more comfortable

Steve T.

St. George

I am very pleased with my experience with Evergreen Home Performance. I met several times with Richard Burbank and he was very detailed in his explanations to all of my questions. He provided me with several options for improving the insulation to our home. The team of installers were very professional and respectful of our home. They did a great job of cleaning up every day after the days work and they were also very responsive to all my questions as well as we collaborated to get our home better insulated. It was a pleasure to work with Richard and…

Brian C.

Falmouth

They were highly recommended. I found them to be very knowledgeable and so helpful, with practical ideas. Despite my not living within their service area, they were generous with their knowledge, describing the usual solutions to correct leaks in my basement, and what the result is likely to be by following path A, B or C, and why. I was discouraged. Talking with Evergreen helped me see that my basement problems are far from insurmountable and really, fairly common in 100-year old homes. There are proven solutions.

Rosalind J

Damariscotta

I highly recommend Evergreen! 1st, I had a home efficiency inspection (that was free) & Bryan P. was great! He took the time needed, asked & listened to what I thought were priorities, explained clearly what he thought were priorities & why, then gave me numerous options. No pressure whatsoever. Then I had my attic sealed & insulated as the 1st step & Bryan came along on day 1 to introduce everyone & make sure we were all on the same page. Bruce's team (inc. Kelsey & Roland) did the work - they were exceptional!!

Melissa M.

Kennebunk

Portland Buy Local
Efficiency Maine
EPA Lead-Safe Certified
Building Performance Association
BPI Certified