Harris County, TX
French Drain Installation in Houston, TX
French drains and yard drainage solutions across Houston and Harris County — fix standing water, soggy lawns, and runoff that's pooling against your foundation.
Why property owners choose this service
- French drain installation (perforated pipe in gravel trench)
- Surface drains, channel drains, and catch basins
- Downspout extensions and underground tie-ins
- Re-grading low spots and swale construction
- Foundation runoff redirection
- Sump pump install for low-lying backyards
- Discreet routing through landscape beds and under sod
- Pop-up emitters and daylight outlet construction
Why Houston yards need real drainage
Houston sits on heavy clay soil that doesn't absorb water — it just sheets across the surface. Add 50+ inches of rain a year, frequent gully-washer storms, and the flat lots common across Harris County, and you get standing water, root rot, mosquito breeding grounds, and water pooling against your slab foundation. A properly designed drainage system captures groundwater along the worst zones and routes it away from your house, lawn, and walkways.
How a real French drain is built
A trench dug 18–24 inches deep with consistent slope (about 1" per 10 feet), lined with non-woven geotextile fabric, filled with washed #57 stone, with 4" perforated SDR-35 or corrugated pipe (holes down) running its length, then wrapped, capped with more stone, and topped with soil and sod. Cheap installs skip the fabric or use the wrong gravel — that's why so many drains clog within a year.
Typical drainage pricing in Houston
French drains generally run $30–$70 per linear foot installed, depending on depth, length, soil conditions, and outlet routing. A typical 40-foot residential French drain along the back of a Houston yard runs $1,500–$3,200. Surface drains and catch basins start around $400–$600 each. Larger projects with sump pumps, multiple zones, or hardscape removal are quoted on site after a walkthrough.
What a drainage assessment looks like
We walk your property after (or during) a rain when possible to see exactly where water collects, where it flows, and where it should go. You get a sketched plan showing trench routes, outlet locations, downspout tie-ins, and re-grading work — plus a flat price for the whole job before any digging starts.
Houston neighborhoods where drainage is critical
Drainage problems are especially common in older Houston neighborhoods like Meyerland, Bellaire, Bellevue, parts of The Heights, and Sharpstown — anywhere with mature trees, original 1950s–60s grading, and clay-heavy soil. Newer Katy, Cypress, and Spring subdivisions often have grading issues from builder shortcuts that show up after the first hard rain. We work all of these areas.
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Free estimates for residential and commercial properties across Harris County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a French drain cost in Houston?+
Most residential French drains in Houston run $30–$70 per linear foot installed. A typical 40-foot drain along the back of a yard runs $1,500–$3,200, including trenching, fabric, gravel, perforated pipe, outlet, and cleanup.
How long does French drain installation take?+
Most residential French drain projects are completed in 1–2 days. Larger projects with sump pumps, hardscape removal, or multiple drain runs may take 3–4 days.
Will a French drain fix water pooling against my foundation?+
Yes — that's one of the most common reasons Houston homeowners install one. Combined with downspout extensions and re-grading the slope away from the house, a French drain redirects groundwater that would otherwise sit against your slab.
What's the difference between a French drain and a surface drain?+
A French drain captures groundwater (water already in the soil) through a perforated pipe buried in gravel. A surface drain (catch basin) captures water sitting on top of the ground, like in a low spot or at the base of downspouts. Many Houston yards need both.
Where does the water go after the French drain?+
It daylights to a low point on your property, ties into a curb cut at the street, discharges to a sump pump pit if the yard can't gravity-drain, or empties into an existing storm drain when one is available and permitted.
Will the French drain mess up my lawn?+
There's a temporary scar along the trench line. We backfill carefully and re-sod or seed on top — within 4–8 weeks the line typically blends back in. Routes through landscape beds are even less visible.
Do you handle drainage during a remodel or new landscape install?+
Yes — drainage is far cheaper to install while we're already excavating for new beds, walkways, or sod. We coordinate it into landscape installation projects all the time.
Do you offer free drainage estimates?+
Yes — free, no-obligation drainage assessments across Houston and Harris County.