"Pivotal installed a french drain system in my beasement Fall 2023. Jeff and his team were very easy to work with and did an ecellent job including cleanup, Pricing was very reasonable. This is a second home for me and flooding in the basement was a constant souce of stress when heavy rains forecast. After 2 years the system has performed exceptionally well. Can't say enough about how pleased I am with the results!!!!"
"I had a wonderful experience with MidAmerica Basement Systems & highly recommend them if your having any waterproofing needs. My project: I purchased my home 3.5 years ago & it started getting water in the basement last year after the outside drainage & tiling system put in my previous owners failed miserably. It would literally be full days of pumping water out of multiple locations in my basement. There were issues of moisture even with two dehumidifiers running & subfloors the crew took out & cleaned up after as well. Scheduling: They will schedule a ways out for appointments but only because it's a high demand working system. Others may be able to offer services quicker but there is likely a reason they are not busy. I got several bids in the time I waited for my MidAmerica Basement Systems appointment & encourage you to as well but definitely wait until after your appointment to make a decision. They were not the cheapest but had the best guarantee (100%), best working system, and a few things I've learned in my 20 years of homeownership is if you go cheap & need to redo it your typically spending more than if you did it right the first time & your home is not something to skimp on or take chances. MidAmerica Basement Systems will send you detailed emails as to what you can expect for each appointment. They will mail you a packet of information regarding different systems that work vs fail & throughly explain the dangers & hazards water/moisture in your home will cause. Our basement got so bad from the Derecho the only dry place was in our basement was the shower & my celing developed black mold quickly from the moisture. Not only did they offer a system to waterproof my basement but a whole house dehumidifier & air purifier which would have saved my ceiling if I had earlier. Sales: I had Justin A for sales & he was very thorough in listening to my problems & needs as well as took his time in explaining & showing me how they could fix my issues, how the system works, as well as answering all of my questions with detail & no hurry. He was absolutely great about changes I made in adding work later on (before my appointment) as well. He doesn't make it feel like a sales pitch, is not pushy at all, & really works to get you the most work in your budget (prep & finish work offered), as well as taking his time with you through the entire process. The office crew: The office staff was very polite & helpful. I mostly worked with Desiree S & Kim B who are extremely responsive in working with me. The Crew: My crew consisted of Brandon T, Sam G, & Ethan T who I highly recommend! These young men are the exact type you want on your project! They are polite, respectful, hard working, efficient, trust worthy & have a great work ethic! They not only got the job done in the time allotted but left my basement incredibly clean which I didn't expect. They thoroughly go over the work before & after as well as answer any questions you have along the way & explain in detail any changes if something isn't to plan before just doing something differently. They called before heading to my house as well which I thought was very courteous. I imagine they have a lot of great workers but anyone I know that I send their way, I'll have them ask for these men as the crew on their home. Overall: Overall I give them 5 stars & they earned it all the way. I will say it's winter so not when one typically gets water in their basement so I am unable to review how the system works fairly. I do, however, plan to leave another review after we get some lovely wet Iowa spring weather or melting of our snow mountains to test it out. I don't expect my review to change & feel confident in the upcoming months & years. Thank you MidAmerica Base..."
I have been in some form of construction most of my adult life. And recently have started turning it into a business for myself. From grading to excavating work to remodel projects we can handle it. We are based in Hennepin and work all over the Illinois Valley. We pride ourselves on being prompt, upfront and honest with our customers to give the customer the best experience possible. \n\n24 hour emergency service available
Hi, I’m Kevin with Klock Home Services, proudly serving the Fox Valley area. I provide reliable, detail-oriented handyman and home repair services at fair prices. From furniture and drywall repair to minor carpentry, fixture installs, and general maintenance, I treat every project like it’s in my own home. Whether it’s a small fix or a larger task, you can count on quality work done right the first time.
"Travis at Haines Drains is a lifesaver. He has helped me time and time again and is always extremely friendly. Customer service is top notch and I will be a customer forever! Thank you!"
"Excellent prompt affordable service. I was contacted directly by Patrick, the owner, over the holiday weekend. He quickly scheduled an appointment for Tuesday after the long weekend. Once he assessed the work needed, he got me a great price. By Wednesday morning, he and his team had installed a new garbage disposal and new toilet. All the work was done quickly and while I was at work. They got everything done properly and left no mess behind. It was a seamless process and I am very satisfied with the results. I will be using them again for any plumbing issues. I highly recommend this service. "
It’ll take 20 to 30 minutes to unclog a sewer line using a drain snake or drain cleaner. If you hire a professional, you should expect them to be on-site for three hours or less. In addition to clearing the clog, they’ll do other routine inspections, which adds to the overall time (and cost) required.
Yes, sewage smells can originate from a floor drain. If the P-Trap in the floor drain dries out or if there's a clog or other issue in the plumbing system, sewer gasses can escape through the drain, causing nasty odors. Regularly pouring water into the drain helps maintain the water seal and prevent those smells, but if the smell persists, you should have a plumbing professional inspect the drain for potential problems.
That pungent rotten egg smell coming from your drain is likely the buildup of biofilm—hair, skin, and soap scum that turns into a black sticky mess. In this case, pouring down near-boiling water, baking soda, and white vinegar will remove the smell. Keep in mind that a rotten egg smell is occasionally a sign of larger sewage line clogs and other related issues.
Inspect regularly for clogs, clean drain lines, and ensure grading directs water away from the foundation.
Sometimes, the drain is just too clogged—thanks, stubborn hair and soap scum. In this case, you’ll need a more powerful drain cleaner than you can DIY safely at home. But this doesn’t mean you have to choose a traditional drain cleaner.
You can find biodegradable drain cleaners at your local home improvement store or online for those drains that need a little more oomph.
While on the hunt for a formidable drain cleaner, the best options are non-chemical clog solutions that combine enzymes and bacteria.
The Ladd, IL homeowners’ guide to french drain services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A French drain costs around $9,250 to install, but several factors will determine the final price you pay. Learn the cost to install French drains in this guide.
You’ve decided on a French drain system but need to determine whether the drain holes should face up or down. Our guide can point you in the right direction—literally.
French drains help keep water away from the interior and exterior of your home. There are three different French drains to choose from, based on where water collects.