If you’re shopping for a drainage solution in Maryland, you’ll hear a lot of talk about French drains, downspout tie-ins, dry wells, and pipe specs. But almost no one talks about warranties.
Why? Because most drainage contractors don’t offer one.
At TLC, we believe that if you’re going to spend thousands of dollars solving a water problem, you should know exactly what’s guaranteed, for how long, and under what conditions.
This article breaks down the TLC drainage warranty—what it covers, what it doesn’t, and how we go further than most companies will even consider.
What TLC Guarantees on Every Drainage Job
1. Workmanship Warranty (1 Year Standard)
We guarantee the installation of all piping, basins, grates, downspout connections, trenching, and restoration for one full year. If something shifts, fails, or settles due to installation error, we fix it—free.
2. Performance Warranty (2 Years for Full-System Installs)
If we design and install a complete drainage system (not just a one-off downspout extension), we guarantee that the system will manage the expected water flow during normal rainfall events.
If the system clogs, collapses, or fails due to install issues—we fix it.
Case Study: The Donovans (Bowie, MD)
They had a full perimeter drain with dual catch basins installed by TLC. After 14 months, one outlet became partially blocked by tree roots. We cleared it and upgraded the grate—at no charge. “You didn’t just honor the warranty,” Mr. Donovan said. “You made it better.”
3. Soil Settlement and Surface Restoration (1 Year)
Maryland soil doesn’t always settle evenly, especially over fresh trenches. If your lawn dips, your mulch shifts, or your sod lifts—we come back to regrade and reset.
Bob’s Note to Our Team: “If we touch the lawn, we own it for a year. We walk that yard in 12 months, and if it looks off, we fix it. Period.”
What Makes TLC’s Warranty Different
- Most contractors won’t warranty drainage at all.
- Many exclude performance completely (they only guarantee that they showed up and dug a trench).
- Most limit restoration warranties to 30 days.
- Some use corrugated pipe and disclaim all responsibility for clogs.
Bob’s Rule: “If the contractor can’t tell you what happens when it rains 2 inches—walk away.”
Every TLC drainage system includes a digital record of: – Pipe type and layout – Slope data from our digital level – Soil compaction reading at trench base – Water discharge location (and flow rate) These are stored in your customer dashboard.
Our Extended Protection Plan (Optional)
For clients who want 5 years of worry-free coverage, TLC offers:
- Annual inspection and cleanout
- Priority service during storms
- Free labor for any repair within covered system
- Proactive root growth monitoring
- Camera-scope inspections for in-ground pipes (every 2 years)
Cost: Usually $350–$650 depending on system size
Case Study: The Sharps (Annapolis, MD)
Their system worked fine for 3 years—until a massive tree root began growing near a main outlet. Because they had our protection plan, we rerouted the outlet around the root zone for no extra cost. “It was done before we even had to ask,” Mrs. Sharp said.
Our AI model flags homeowners in root-prone zones based on tree type, age, and drain layout. If you’re in that zone, we reach out before roots reach your pipe.
How Our Warranty Saves You Money
Hidden Costs Without Coverage:
- $275 to clear a clogged line
- $650 to fix a collapsed basin
- $1,200+ for re-sodding after trench erosion
With TLC’s standard or extended warranty: – Most of those are covered – We track failure data and notify you when your system hits high-risk markers
Bob’s Team Meeting Moment: “We don’t wait for calls. If we see your zone has been hit with a heavy rain event, and you’re on our monitoring list—we reach out first. That’s the TLC difference.”
What the Warranty Doesn’t Cover
- Acts of God (hurricanes, 100-year storms, flooding outside the design spec)
- New construction changes (grading alterations, irrigation installs after the fact)
- Lack of maintenance (debris left to clog grates or outlets)
- Unauthorized modifications (if another contractor alters our system)
Bob’s Transparency Principle: “If we can stand behind it, we do. But if it’s something you or another crew changed—let’s talk about options. We’ll never just walk away.”
Homeowner FAQs
Q: What if the lawn settles where you trenched?
We come back and regrade it. That’s on us. And we take photos at install so you can compare.
Q: What if my downspouts get clogged?
We teach you how to check and clean them—or add cleanout ports to make it easy.
Q: What if water shows up somewhere new?
We evaluate it. If it’s part of the system we designed, we address it. If it’s outside that scope, we quote it honestly.
Q: Can I get the warranty in writing?
Absolutely. Every TLC drainage proposal includes a warranty section that explains coverage in plain English.
Q: Do I need to pay extra for basic warranty coverage?
No. All standard jobs include our base warranty. The extended plan is optional—and worth it if you have a complex layout, heavy trees, or known slope instability.
Why Other Contractors Don’t Offer This
Drainage failures are hard to see until it’s too late. Many installers walk away once the trench is closed. We don’t. We believe a drainage system should last for decades, and if we install it—we stand behind it.
Bob’s Field Visit Story: I visited a home in Clarksville where the homeowner paid $5,000 for a French drain from another crew. It failed in year two. The installer ghosted. We scoped it—found it clogged, poorly sloped, and crushed under shallow backfill. “How long is yours guaranteed?” she asked. I said, “Ours comes with the kind of backup the last guy wouldn’t even text you.”
Final Thoughts: A Warranty Is a Promise
Drainage is an invisible system. Once it’s buried, you have to trust it will work. That’s why we back every job with not just our word, but our written warranty, real photos, and long-term support.
The TLC Difference: – You get digital records – You get pre/post photos – You get slope + soil specs – You get a real name and number when you call
Ready to get a system you can count on—and a contractor who stands behind it? Call TLC or schedule your drainage quote at TLCIncorporated.com.
Because dry yards should come with dry paperwork, too. And your trust deserves backup built into the trench.