French Drains & Exterior Drainage
French drains, downspout extensions and grading keep water away from your foundation. How they work and what they cost.
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Keeping water away from the house is the first line of defense. A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects groundwater and surface water and carries it away from the foundation. Combined with correct grading and buried downspout lines, it can dramatically reduce water pressure on basement walls.
When exterior drainage makes sense
- Water pools near the foundation after rain
- Your lot slopes toward the house
- Downspouts discharge right next to the walls
- A soggy yard or hillside runoff
Typical costs
| Project | Typical range* |
|---|---|
| Downspout extensions / buried lines | $300 – $2,000 |
| French drain (per linear foot) | $30 – $100 |
| Regrading around the foundation | $1,000 – $5,000 |
*General US ranges for orientation only.
FAQ
Common questions
Will a French drain fix my wet basement?
Sometimes on its own, often as part of a solution. A contractor can tell you whether the water comes from the surface or from groundwater below.
Can a French drain be installed in a finished yard?
Yes. The trench is narrow and can be finished with gravel, sod or decorative stone afterwards.
Service areas
Where we can help
Pennsylvania
More service areas
- North Jersey & the Jersey Shore
- Long Island (Nassau County), NY
- Maryland (Baltimore & Washington suburbs)
- Washington, DC
- Northern Virginia
- Minneapolis – St. Paul, MN
- Tennessee (Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga & more)
- Metro Atlanta, GA
- Charlotte, NC & Rock Hill, SC
- Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA
- Alabama (Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery, Mobile)
- Indianapolis & Central Indiana
- Chicago & suburbs, IL
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