Summerville’s dense clay soils and rapid commercial development make yard drainage and smart irrigation critical for local businesses. In this spotlight, Keith McClough of Distinctive Irrigation shares how custom drainage networks, smart Wi-Fi sprinkler controllers, and durable paver installations protect commercial properties, lower utility bills, and maximize local curb appeal.

If you run a business in Summerville, you know that keeping your storefront or commercial property looking pristine is a massive part of welcoming customers. But between the intense South Carolina summer heat and the sudden, torrential downpours that can turn a parking lot or flowerbed into a swamp in minutes, maintaining a commercial landscape here is no easy feat.

To get some expert insight into how local business owners can protect their properties, we sat down with Keith McClough, the owner and operator of Distinctive Irrigation. Keith and his team have been helping local residential and commercial clients solve complex water, drainage, and hardscaping issues since 1995.

Here is what Keith had to say about navigating the unique environmental challenges facing Summerville businesses today.

Q: Keith, you’ve been doing this since 1995. How has the Summerville commercial landscape changed over the last three decades, and what are the biggest challenges businesses face today?

Keith McClough: The growth in Summerville over the past 30 years has been incredible, but with more development comes more concrete, rooftops, and asphalt. When you pave over land, rainwater has fewer places to naturally go.

The number one issue we see local business owners facing today is stormwater management and drainage. When a heavy Lowcountry thunderstorm hits, a lot of properties suffer from severe surface pooling. If water isn’t directed away properly, it ruins expensive landscaping, creates slick hazards for customers on walkways, and can even seep toward foundations or crawlspaces.

Q: We hear a lot from local business owners about “spongy” lawns and standing water that takes days to disappear. Why is our local soil so tough to manage?

Keith: It all comes down to what’s underneath the grass. In our part of the state, we deal with a lot of heavy, dense clay and low-lying, flat elevations. Unlike sandy coastal areas where water sinks right through, our soil acts like a brick wall once it gets saturated.

If a business relies on a generic landscape setup without proper commercial-grade drainage—like strategically placed catch basins or subsurface French drains—the water just sits. It drowns the turf roots, breeds mosquitoes, and turns a commercial property into a muddy eyesore. We specialize in shooting precise elevations to give that water a clean, permanent exit strategy.

Q: Curb appeal is everything for a business. How do custom pavers change the game compared to standard concrete?

Keith: Standard concrete slabs look industrial, and in our climate, they will inevitably crack and buckle as the soil shifts or tree roots expand. For a business, a cracked concrete walkway isn’t just ugly—it’s a massive trip hazard and a liability.

Premium pavers completely elevate a commercial storefront. They offer an upscale, custom look that draws the eye, but more importantly, they are highly flexible. Because they are individual interlocking stones, they shift naturally without cracking. And if you choose a permeable paver system, it doubles as its own drainage network, allowing heavy rain to drain straight through the joints instead of creating massive puddles right where your customers are trying to walk.

Q: With summer temperatures frequently pushing into the 90s, keeping commercial grass green can drive utility bills through the roof. What’s your advice for smart water management?

Keith: A lot of commercial properties are wasting thousands of dollars a year using outdated, clock-based sprinkler timers. They end up watering the lawn in the middle of a rainstorm, or blasting the sidewalk instead of the turf.

We are upgrading a lot of local businesses to smart irrigation controllers. These systems connect to local Wi-Fi and automatically adjust watering schedules based on real-time weather feeds. If it rained yesterday, the system skips a cycle. If a nozzle is clogged or a zone loses pressure, you get an alert on your phone. It keeps the property looking perfectly green while slashing municipal water waste and lowering operational costs.

Q: If a Summerville business owner is looking at their property right now and noticing muddy patches or a dated walkway, what’s the best first step?

Keith: Don’t wait for the next major storm or the heat of summer to address it. Catching a drainage issue early or upgrading your irrigation system before the busy season pays off massively in the long run. My team and I are always happy to come out, evaluate the layout, and design a custom solution that fits the specific commercial needs of the property.

Need to Protect or Upgrade Your Commercial Property?

Don’t let poor drainage, broken sprinklers, or a cracked walkway turn customers away from your business. Trust your property to a local expert with over 30 years of proven hands-on experience right here in the Lowcountry.

Whether you need an urgent drainage audit, a smart irrigation upgrade, or a stunning new paver entrance, Keith and the team at Distinctive Irrigation are ready to help.

• Website: distinctiveirrigationpro.com
• Get a Custom Estimate: Contact Distinctive Irrigation today to schedule a professional property consultation!