French drain installation in Exeter
Professional french drain installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
Quote
Typical Duration
1-2 days
Location
Exeter, Devon
French drain installed to sort waterlogging and drainage problems in your garden. Properly graded trench, perforated pipe, gravel fill - water redirected away from where you don't want it.
Stop Living With A Bog
Standing water kills lawns, damages foundations, and makes gardens unusable. A proper French drain carries water away underground where it can't cause problems.
💡 Drainage principle: Water always flows downhill. French drains work by giving it an easy underground route to follow instead of pooling on the surface.
Why Proper Installation Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Bodged |
|---|---|
| Correct gradient for water flow | No fall, water just sits there |
| Proper gravel and geotextile | Soil clogs pipe in months |
| Sensible outlet location | Water just floods somewhere else |
| Deep enough to work | Too shallow, doesn't intercept water |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Survey | Work out where water needs to go |
| Dig | Excavate trench to correct depth/gradient |
| Install | Lay geotextile, pipe, gravel, backfill |
📦 You're Left With
- Underground drain removing water
- Garden restored (grass re-seeded if needed)
- No more standing water
- Problem actually solved, not just moved
Pricing Guide
French drain costs vary hugely based on:
- Length of drain needed
- Ground conditions (clay, rock, etc)
- Depth required
- Outlet location (soakaway, existing drain, etc)
- Access for digging
I'll quote once I've seen your property and measured up properly. Call for a free quote.
Perfect For Your Property If...
✅ Waterlogged lawn - unusable after every rain
✅ Water near house - risking damp or flooding
✅ Boggy patches - certain areas never dry
✅ New build drainage - prevent problems from the start
Why Choose Us for French drain installation in Exeter?
Stops waterlogging and standing water
Redirects water away from buildings
Prevents damage to foundations and lawns
Hidden underground - doesn't ruin garden look
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Survey
Visit to assess drainage problem, measure up, work out gradient and outlet location, provide quote.
Step 2: Excavation
Dig trench following planned route, ensuring correct depth and fall for water flow.
Step 3: Install Drain
Line trench with geotextile fabric, lay perforated pipe, fill with gravel, wrap fabric over, backfill with soil.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to tackle it yourself? Here's how:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Spade and pickaxe for digging
- Perforated land drain pipe (110mm typical)
- Gravel (20mm stone)
- Geotextile fabric (essential)
- String line and spirit level
- Wheelbarrow for shifting materials
🎯 Installation method
- Mark drain route with string line
- Dig trench 300-450mm deep, minimum 1:100 fall
- Line trench with geotextile fabric
- Add 50-100mm gravel base
- Lay perforated pipe (holes facing down)
- Cover pipe with gravel (150-200mm)
- Wrap geotextile over top
- Backfill with topsoil, re-seed grass
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- No gradient (water doesn't flow)
- Skipping geotextile (drain clogs with soil)
- Pipe holes facing up (less effective)
- No proper outlet (water has nowhere to go)
- Not deep enough (doesn't intercept groundwater)
💡 Pro trick: Check your gradient as you go using a spirit level and straight edge. A 1:100 fall is only 10mm drop per metre - easy to get wrong. Too flat and water won't flow; too steep in places means it'll be too shallow elsewhere.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎨 Building regs: If you're connecting to mains drainage, you might need building control approval. Soakaways and ditches usually don't need permission, but check with your local authority.
Clay soil challenges: Heavy clay doesn't drain well, so French drains in clay need longer runs or might need connecting to a proper drainage system rather than a soakaway.
Multiple problems? Often one French drain solves several issues - waterlogged lawn, damp near house, boggy patio. Work out the main water flow direction and intercept it early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a French drain?
A trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects water and carries it away underground. Water seeps into the pipe through the holes, flows along it, and comes out wherever you direct it - usually a soakaway or ditch.
How do I know if I need one?
Standing water after rain, boggy patches that never dry, water pooling near your house - classic signs. If your lawn's a swamp half the year or you're getting damp in the house, a French drain often sorts it.
How long does installation take?
Usually 1-2 days for a typical garden drain. Depends on length, ground conditions, and where the water needs to go. I'll give you a proper time estimate when I quote.
Where does the water go?
Either to a soakaway (hole filled with rubble where water drains into the ground), an existing ditch or drain, or sometimes to surface water drainage if you've got it. I'll work out the best option for your property.
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