How much does it cost to have a French drain installed
John Parsons
Updated on May 09, 2026
French drain Installation PricesMinimum cost$2,000Maximum cost$10,000
How much does it cost to install a French drain in a house?
French drain costs $10 to $50 per linear foot or between $500 and $10,000 in exterior and perimeter applications and $40 to $100 per linear foot or $1,000 to $18,000 for internal ones. These systems can benefit your home in a variety of ways.
How much does it cost to install French drain on concrete?
The cost of replacing a French drain Usually, it can cost anywhere between $240 and $480 per linear foot – all depending on obstacles present.
Can I install a French drain myself?
A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.Are French drains worth it?
French drain systems are incredibly effective because, unlike typical surface drains, they collect water over the entire length of the drain as opposed to one dedicated area. The force of gravity helps to guide water along a reliably smooth path to a desired discharge point.
How much does it cost to put drainage in a yard?
Installing stormwater drainage systems can cost homeowners from $1,800 to upwards of $5,000. Small and simple jobs can go as low as $800, and major projects as high as $8,000.
Why do French drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
How long do French drains last?
Properly installed drains use advanced plastic sheeting called geotextile to protect the drainpipe from a blockage. French drains can last decades before needing maintenance. If your home requires a sump pump, a high-quality model will last around ten years before needing replacement.How far should French drain be from foundation?
We recommend installing the french drains between 2 and 5 feet away from the foundation. There are a few variables that impact the exact distance to dig the new drain lines to carry water away from your home. Finding the right distance: Check where water is pooling naturally during heavy rains.
When should a French drain be installed?- When you have a problem with surface water, such as a soggy lawn or a driveway that washes out.
- If water is getting into your basement.
- If you’re building a retaining wall on a hillside.
How much French drain do I need?
You would need around 0.72 cubic feet of gravel per foot length of French drain for a typical French drain width of 10 inches and a depth of 12 inches if you’re using a 4″ drain pipe. On the other hand, you would need around 0.6 cubic feet of gravel if you’re using a 6″ drain pipe.
What is better than a French drain?
If you have a negative sloped yard (which slopes toward your foundation), a surface drainage system is a better choice than a French drain. Sloping of more than 1”-1-1/2” on a 10′ run can result in excessive amounts of water seeping beneath your house.
Does French drain Need outlet?
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn’t require an inlet on just one end either.
Does a French drain need a pipe?
Officially a French drain is a gravel drain with no pipe. The water just collects in and travels through in a gravel or stone filled channel that starts from the surface or just below it. … It is easier to dig and grade a wide French drain, especially when it gets deep.
How shallow can a French drain be?
Add a Layer of Topsoil to Drainage Ditch Dig a trench along the outside of your footing. The trench should be at least 2 feet wide, and can be as deep as 6 feet for a basement or as shallow as two feet for a slab-on-grade home.
How much does it cost to put in a trench drain?
The average cost to install a trench drain is $30 to $150 per linear foot, depending on the grate and channel material (plastic, metal, or concrete). Trench drains are set into driveways, patios, concrete slabs, or between pavers with a flush grate surface that catches water in a channel.
How much do French drains cost per foot?
According to Fixr, the average French drain costs $4,500. An exterior drain located fairly close to the surface could cost as little as $1,000, or $25 per linear foot on average. Drains installed under your basement floor could cost $2,000 or more. Expect to pay $60 to $70 per linear foot for installation.
Can you cover a French drain with dirt?
Can I cover a French drain with dirt? Because a French drain has holes throughout the pipe which allow it collect water, you should not install dirt on top of the drain pipe. Installing dirt will clog the pipe and the holes, rendering it useless.
What size gravel is best for French drain?
Gravel used for this layer is typically 1/2 inch to 1 inch across — the larger it is, the better the water flow and less chance of clogs and blockages. For a French drain without a perforated pipe, opt for even larger gravel, such as 1 1/2 inches across.
How do you drain a waterlogged lawn?
- Aeration. Aerating the lawn will help to improve drainage and will add air into the soil which will improve the conditions for the grass roots to live in. …
- Moss Killer & Fertiliser. …
- Dig A French Drain. …
- Choose Permeable Paths & Patios. …
- Dig A Ditch. …
- Plant A Bog Garden. …
- Over-Seeding. …
- Collect Rainwater.
Should a French drain have standing water?
French drains are designed to collect rainwater and channel it downhill. If surface water is standing in low areas of the yard that are supposed to flow into your French drain, you have a drainage problem. If the low areas of your yard are as firm and dry as higher spots, then your French drain is working as expected.
Which is better French drain or trench drain?
While French drains deal with water that’s underground, trench drains divert excess water away from the surface. … These drains are great for managing excess rainwater and stormwater in concrete areas such as parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways.
Can a French drain catch surface water?
A French drain is a long trench with a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel. French drains control groundwater and a moderate amount of runoff or surface water. A catch basin is a box set into the ground with a grate on top. Catch basins control large amounts of runoff and surface water but do not control groundwater.
What is the difference between a French drain and a regular drain?
The Difference Between French Drains and Surface Drains. … You’ll find that the primary difference between the two systems is that French drains deal with water that gradually seeps below the ground, while surface drains redirect water that’s accumulating above ground.
