The French Drain Gurus
Water wants to find its way in.
We make sure it won't.
Moisture in your crawl space or basement often starts outside: bad grading, short downspouts, and improper drainage. By the time you see water inside, the damage has been building for months. We fix the water path so it doesn't become a mold problem.
French drain install
Drain pipe excavation
Completed yard drain: water now flows away from the foundation.
Water management solutions
French Drains
A French drain is a trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects water away from your foundation. It's one of the most effective ways to keep water from pooling around or under your home.
Gutter Extensions
Your gutters collect rain from your roof, but if the downspouts dump it right next to your foundation, you're funneling water straight to the problem area. We extend downspouts at least 20 feet from your foundation using underground piping with pop-up emitters, french drains, or dry wells.
Landscape Grading
If the ground around your house slopes toward your foundation instead of away from it, water is being directed right where you don't want it. We re-grade the landscape so water flows away naturally.
Sump Pumps
When water collects under your home, a sump pump moves it out. We install proper sump pits with reliable pumps, not the bucket-and-pump setups we sometimes find during inspections.
French drain vs. gutter drain: what's the difference?
People mix these up all the time. A French drain handles groundwater: water that's already in the soil around your foundation. A gutter drain extension handles rainwater from your roof that your gutters collect.
You might need one or both. We'll look at your property and tell you which one will solve the problem. Sometimes extending your downspouts is all it takes. Sometimes it's more involved. Either way, we'll give you a straight answer.
How a French drain comes together
1. Excavate and stage. Trench dug along the foundation, gravel and fabric ready.
2. Lay the perforated pipe. Gravel surrounds it so groundwater can find its way in.
3. Done. Water now flows out across the yard instead of soaking into the foundation.
Drainage Projects
Keeping water where it belongs: away from your house.
French Drain and Drainage Pipe Installation
Water was pooling around the foundation after every rain. We installed a French drain along the foundation wall and ran drainage pipes to redirect water away from the house.
In ProgressFrench drain trench with pipe and gravel
In ProgressDrainage pipe excavation
AfterDownspout extension installed
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a French drain and a gutter drain?
A French drain handles groundwater already in the soil around your foundation; a gutter drain extension handles rainwater coming off your roof. A French drain is a trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects soil water away from your home. A gutter drain extension runs your downspouts underground to discharge water at least 20 feet from the foundation. You might need one or both.
How far from my house should downspouts drain?
At least 20 feet from your foundation. Most homes have downspouts that dump water right next to the house, which funnels rainwater straight to the problem area. We extend downspouts underground using piping with pop-up emitters or dry wells so the water discharges far enough away to not cause issues.
Can grading fix my water problem?
Sometimes that's all it takes. If the ground around your house slopes toward your foundation instead of away from it, water naturally flows toward your home. Regrading the landscape to create proper slope away from the foundation can solve the problem without any underground work. We'll assess your property and tell you if grading alone will fix it.
How do I know if I need a French drain?
Signs include water pooling near your foundation after rain, a consistently wet crawl space or basement, water stains on foundation walls, or mushy/soggy areas in your yard near the house. If water is finding its way to your foundation from the surrounding soil, a French drain is usually the most effective solution.
Just a downspout problem?
Sometimes all you need is a gutter extension. It's a quick job, but it can be the difference between a dry crawl space and a wet one. We'll look at your situation and tell you if that's all it takes.
Major water intrusion?
French drains along the entire foundation. Regrading the yard. Sump pump installation. Underground piping with dry wells. When water is coming in from multiple directions, we design a complete drainage system that handles all of it, not just the most obvious problem.
Either way, the inspection is free. Call 855-705-6653 and we'll tell you exactly what you're looking at.