French Drain

A French drain is a gravel-lined trench with a perforated pipe that redirects water away from your home's foundation. It's one of the most effective solutions for soggy yards, basement moisture, and erosion problems. Whether you're dealing with standing water after storms or protecting a new landscaping investment, we'll help you connect with local pros and learn everything you need to know.

Related to French Drain Service

French Drain Service Articles and Advice
Kat Brancato  •  Jul 15, 2026
What Is a French Drain and How Does It Work?
What is a French drain exactly and does your yard need one? Learn what a French drain is, how it works, and its pros and cons.
Alison Kasch  •  Jul 10, 2026
Who Installs French Drains? A Handy Hiring Guide
French drains can be an effective solution for pooling water and flooding. So, who installs French drains? Find out how to hire the ideal pro for the job.
Alison Kasch  •  Jul 9, 2026
French Drain Maintenance: How To Clean Your French Drain
Inspecting and cleaning your French drain regularly is important for its function and longevity. Learn all about French drain maintenance.
Deane Biermeier  •  Jul 9, 2026
What to Know About Putting a French Drain Around a Foundation
Learn about the benefits and considerations of installing a French drain around your foundation to decide if one is right for you.
Kat Brancato  •  Jul 9, 2026
How Deep Is a French Drain?
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.
Mizuki Hisaka  •  Jul 9, 2026
6 Types of Stormwater Drainage Systems and Their Pros and Cons
Learn about the pros and cons of the most common types of stormwater drainage systems so you can navigate through the storm season safely.
Christopher Murray  •  Jul 9, 2026
3 Types of French Drains: Which Is Best for Your Home?
French drains help keep water away from the interior and exterior of your home. There are three different French drains to choose from, based on where water collects.
C.E. Larusso  •  Jul 9, 2026
Do You Need a Permit for a French Drain Installation?
Do you need a permit for a French drain installation? If you’re ready to try out a new yard drainage solution, here’s what you should know about the logistics.
Find Drainage Contractors near you
Share your project details and we’ll match you with up to 3 available pros near you.
Common French Drain Service Questions

French drains and footing drains are virtually identical, except that French drains sit a foot or two beneath the ground, and footing drains sit as deep as your foundation footings go, sometimes up to 10 feet. Both drainage systems collect water before it reaches the soil around your foundation and divert it to a safe place on your property for disposal.

You should always cover a French drain with gravel rather than dirt. Gravel will let water seep into the drain more easily, which means the drainpipe will collect more water and divert it away from your foundation. Dirt over a French drain will also clog the pores in the drainpipe over time, rendering your drainage system useless until you excavate the line and clear it, a time-consuming and potentially expensive process.

A French drain should be 4 to 6 feet away from your foundation in most cases. However, the right distance for your home depends on the landscape and how bad your water problem is. Ask a foundation drain installation professional near you for advice on your exact situation.

You need gravel underneath a French drain pipe so that it allows the water to seep through the ground and be taken away from the slope of the drain. You should use river rock or granite chips in your French drain installation to accommodate maximum drainage and prevent clogging in the system.

When installing a French drain, the holes in your pipe go down. This allows water to flow from the gravel below into the pipe to be carried away from your flood-prone area. If you’re using a corrugated pipe with slots on all sides, it doesn’t matter which direction the pipe is facing.