A French drain usually costs around $500 to $18,000, with the national average being $5,000. Here are some factors that play a part in the cost. Labor – Installing a French drain can require a lot of work. You'll learn later in this article that French drains can be installed in your basement or crawl space.
Installing a French drain costs $500 to $18,000, with a national average of $9,250. On average, you can expect to pay $10 to $100 per linear foot, or between $500 and $5,000 to have a 50-foot French drain installed.
While French drain basement waterproofing might cost a bit more than simply using a sealant on your basement walls, it's the most cost-effective solution. It doesn't merely hold back the water, it actually removes the excess water from the soil.
Clay soil has poor permeability, meaning it doesn't allow water to pass through easily. In such cases, the effectiveness of a French drain may be limited as the water may struggle to drain away from the area efficiently. French drains may not be suitable for areas with high water tables.
Generally speaking, a French drain will last approximately 30 to 40 years. However, the above-mentioned factors may shorten its life cycle and it must then be replaced by a team of foundation experts.
Swales: A Natural Solution
They're a great option if you're looking for a more natural, eco-friendly alternative to French drains. A swale is typically lined with grass or vegetation that helps slow down and absorb water.
If your home has a high-water table under the basement floor piping should be approx. 7 to 9 inches below the top of basement floor. If there is evidence of iron bacteria (also known as iron ocher) we recommend the trench being a little deeper. (8 to 12”).
Interior French drains are meant for waterproofing the basement or draining your crawl space. They cost more because contractors must tear out the basement floor (most often made of concrete), install the drain, and then repair it.
With stormwater, most likely, your drainage systems would fall under land improvements. Stormwater best management practices such as french drains, downspouts and gutter systems, bioswales, and dry wells could qualify as depreciable assets.
Poorly installed French drains can cause water to pool around your house's foundation and seep into the basement or crawlspace, leading to wet floors and walls. This moisture can damage furniture and flooring, and lead to mold and mildew growth.
The average cost to waterproof a 1,000-square-foot basement is $3,000-$10,000, depending on the location and method used. Interior sealing is often less expensive than exterior sealing but is less effective at keeping water completely out of the basement.
Landscapers have the expertise to work the French drain installation into your existing landscape design, ensuring it not only functions well but also doesn't interfere with your yard's aesthetics.
In fact, it keeps the basement dry by preventing the water from developing the pressure it takes to enter the basement in the first place. A French drain, often called “drain tile,” installed inside or outside the foundation, will keep most basements dry and never requires maintenance or replacement.
Aside from what we've listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.
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. You can construct the drain to accept water along its length, and disperse it underground.
An interior drainage system is an easier, more affordable option for waterproofing your basement. The WaterGuard Basement Waterproofing System is a non-clogging French drain alternative.
French drains are best suited for properties with moderate to severe water drainage issues, particularly in areas with heavy rain or poor soil drainage.
French drain installation is a service offered by a diverse range of professionals from landscapers to plumbers to foundation specialists. These professionals bring a varied skill set to the project, often integrating the drainage system seamlessly with other landscaping or construction work.
Labor costs: French drain installation is labor intensive, so the local cost of labor has a huge impact on pricing.
Dig a trench from the place in your yard that needs drainage to your chosen outlet. Check for underground utility lines and pipes before digging. The trench should be about 18 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches wide. least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you.
Just like other types of drains, they are susceptible to clogging over time. Ideally, clean the French drain once every year.