Drainage Solutions on the North Shore, MA
French drains, grading, catch basins, and downspout routing to keep water out of your basement and yard — anywhere on the North Shore.
Water is the quiet destroyer of New England properties — it floods basements, undermines patios and walls, and drowns plantings. the North Shore’s low-lying neighborhoods and clay-heavy soils make it worse. We diagnose where your water actually comes from and where it needs to go, then build the drainage to move it: French drains, regrading, catch basins, and proper downspout routing that sends roof water far from your foundation.
What we do
Drainage work we do across the North Shore
- French drains — gravel-and-perforated-pipe drains that intercept groundwater
- Surface grading — reshaping the yard so water runs away from the house
- Catch basins & drains — collect and carry water to a safe outlet
- Downspout routing — take roof water away from the foundation underground
- Dry wells — store and disperse runoff on tight lots
- Foundation & footing drains — keep water out of the basement
The AB Mendez Standard
How we solve a the North Shore drainage problem
Diagnose
We find the real source — roof water, groundwater, grade, or all three.
Plan the path
We design where the water will go and a safe, code-compliant outlet.
Excavate & install
We trench, lay gravel and perforated pipe or basins, and connect downspouts.
Backfill & restore
We backfill, regrade, and restore the lawn so it drains and looks finished.
Where we work
Drainage in every North Shore town
We’re based in Lynn and work across the North Shore. Pick your town for local details, or call and we’ll come to you.
Permits & review
Drainage, outlets, and wetlands across the North Shore
Permit and historic-review rules vary town to town across the North Shore, but the thresholds are similar: fences over 7 ft, retaining walls over 4 ft (or supporting a surcharge), and decks that are attached, over 200 sq ft, or over 30 in above grade generally need a building permit, and many historic districts require review before a permit is issued. We pull the permit and handle any review in whichever town you’re in.
| Project | Typical range |
|---|---|
| French drain | $20–$45 / lin ft |
| Downspout routing (per line) | $300–$900 |
| Full yard drainage system | $3,000–$12,000+ |
Why AB Mendez
Why the North Shore homeowners hire us for drainage
The owner builds it
Anibel Mendez quotes and runs every project here personally — no salesman, no handoff to a sub who has never seen your property.
Engineered for New England
Frost-depth footings, proper drainage, and code-compliant materials. We build for year 10, not the first photo.
Licensed, insured, permitted
Massachusetts HIC registration, full insurance, Dig Safe on every dig, and permits pulled in our name — the boring stuff that separates real contractors from a guy with a truck.
From the owner
“You can’t fix a water problem until you know where the water’s coming from — most ‘drainage’ jobs fail because nobody diagnosed it.”
Roof water, groundwater, and bad grade all look the same in a wet basement but need different fixes. We diagnose the actual source first, then build the right system — not a guess — Anibel Mendez
Drainage FAQ
Common questions
Why does my basement flood when it rains?
Usually roof water dumping at the foundation, poor grade, or high groundwater. We diagnose which and fix the cause.
What’s a French drain and do I need one?
A gravel-and-pipe drain that intercepts groundwater. It’s the right fix for some problems, not all — we recommend it only when it solves yours.
Can you reroute my downspouts underground?
Yes — carrying roof water away from the foundation underground is one of the highest-value fixes.
Do you need a permit for drainage work?
Often not, but tying into a city storm drain or working near wetlands can require approval, which we handle.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes — call (781) 731-5303 or request one online.
Free estimates across the North Shore
Let’s talk about your project
One contractor, start to finish — quoted, permitted, and built by the same person.
No-pressure estimate · we pull the permits in our name · one contractor, start to finish.
AB Mendez Masonry & Landscaping · Licensed & Insured · Serving the North Shore of MA