French Drain

Definition

An outdoor buried drain line that leads water away from the house. Water runs through a trench filled with gravel into a perforated pipe underneath, which leads the water downhill to a safe area.

Things you need to know

Buildup of sand and soil can clog the pipes in french drains. Building a wider drain will make it last longer before getting clogged up.

Also known as

Trench Drain, Blind Drain, Rubble Drain, Perimeter Drain, Land Drain, Sub-soil Drain

Cost Considerations

The cost of a French drain depends on how deep and how long it is. A shallow, exterior French drain costs about $10 to $15 per linear foot, whereas a deeper, interior drain costs an average of $50 to $60.

Costs vary greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.