A French drain costs around $9,250 to install, but several factors will determine the final price you pay. Learn the cost to install French drains in this guide.
Should French Drain Holes Face Up or Down?
Make the right decision for your French drain direction
Get quotes from lawn irrigation specialists near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from lawn irrigation specialists near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
Perforated drain pipes in French drains should face down when half-perforated to let water enter from below and flow toward your exit point.
Expect to pay $500 to $18,000 for professional French drain installation, with average costs around $9,250 depending on your yard and drainage needs.
Your French drain system works best with river rock or granite chips underneath the pipe to prevent clogging and maintain proper water flow.
Hiring a local French drain professional provides reliable help with trench digging and pipe connections, keeping your foundation protected from excess water and flooding.
Get quotes from up to 3 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Excess water surrounding your home’s foundation is a cause for concern, which is where a French drain system can save the day. But should French drain holes face up or down?
This type of drainage system uses a perforated pipe that allows extra water to move from one point to the next so that it doesn’t pool. Our guide can help you figure out which positioning works best and when to hire a French drain installer.
Angi Tip
A french drain provides a sunken channel for water to disperse into the soil surrounding your home. Installing this type of system requires digging a trench and hooking up pipe connections, among other tasks, so it's best to hire a professional french drain installation company for this project.
Should French Drain Pipes Face Up or Down?
Photo: middelveld / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
For French drains, the direction the pipe perforations face depends on the use and type of system. No one direction is wrong unless it's being used in a way that would prevent your French drain from working properly.
When Perforations Should Face Up
If you have a more intricate French system that incorporates downspouts and a perimeter drain inside the basement, the perforations in your drain pipe should face up. This direction allows the downspouts to work with streaming water to keep debris and silt from collecting inside the pipe and clogging it.
When Perforations Should Face Down
The drain holes on your pipe should face down if the pipe is half perforated. As water moves through the ground from the top of the slope, the holes allow water to come in from the bottom and flow down to the exit point. Your French drain would still technically work if the holes were facing up, but the water wouldn’t travel as fast so it wouldn’t be as effective.
What Is a French Drain?
A French drain is an outdoor system used to direct water away from your home and down toward an exit point to prevent water damage or flooding. Most French drain systems include a trench filled with rock or gravel, with a perforated pipe for excess water to flow through. Your French drain dimensions depend on the needs of your property, but most systems range from 8 to 24 inches deep, with a four-inch diameter pipe running five to 10 feet.
Can I DIY French Drain Installation?
A French drain provides a sunken channel for water to disperse into the soil surrounding your home. Installing this type of system requires digging a trench and hooking up pipe connections, among other tasks, so it's best to hire a professional French drain installation company near you for this project.
It’s best to get quotes from at least three companies before you lock one down so you have a good idea of the scope of work and the average cost. The cost of installing a French drain system ranges from $500 to $18,000, or $9,250 on average. The total cost depends on yard size, drain size and type, and labor costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lawn irrigation services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
5.0★ avg. • 6 total reviews
- Barbara W.
Bill Gerhardt sold the company to his employees at the end of 2019, apparently without a workable succession plan and without notifying prospective customers of this fact. Most aspects of the maintenance contract have not been fulfilled: no installation of anual plantings per contract, no...
- Kristen A.
They show up and they did take us on as a client which seems to be a problem with other lawn care providers. We have multiple properties and this one was located close to downtown and no one really wants to mess with it.
- Wendy G.
I was very happy with the service provided by AK Irrigation. They responded quickly to my email, and the woman I spoke with was polite and professional. I was able to get an appointment that same week. <br /> The technician (Tyler) arrived on time. He was very knowledgeable, and worked...
AK Irrigation - Terri O.
The worker came out when he was supposed to come. He informed me he would honor the Angie's List deal, but would not do any more work for me since my son in law owns lawn care company as well, even though they do not do the same type of work. He said he did not feel comfortable giving me...
Bello Giardino LLC - Amy H.
E & L Lawn Care was super. They were very responsive before and after service. They were efficient and were able to complete the job within 1 day. I have had concern about one section of sod - the owner was pro-active and did a visit to evaluate. I have no doubt they will stand behind...
E&L lawn care
The homeowners guide to lawn irrigation services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Inspecting and cleaning your French drain regularly is important for its function and longevity. Learn all about French drain maintenance.
How deep is a french drain buried and how does it work? Learn how deep a french drain needs to be to work properly and other aspects to consider.
How much water can a French drain handle? Find out a French drain’s drainage capacity and the factors that impact it.
French drain systems help keep your home and yard free from excess water. Your system will work best when you install the proper size.
Ground and basement drainage issues can be fixed with the right kind of drain pipe. French drains and drain tiles offer similar solutions, but different applications.