French Drains

French drains are one of the most effective and time-tested methods for managing water around a home’s foundation. At Sump Daddy, we specialize in the design and installation of both interior and exterior French drain systems to stop basement leaks, relieve hydrostatic pressure, and correct water pooling issues in yards.

Whether you’re dealing with a wet basement, soggy yard, or foundation seepage, a properly installed French drain can solve the problem for good.

Interior French Drains – Basement Water Control

Interior French drains are installed along the inside perimeter of your basement, beneath the slab. We break the concrete, excavate a narrow trench, and install:

  • Perforated drain pipe
  • Clean, washed gravel
  • Heavy-duty vapor barrier
  • Concrete patch to restore the floor surface

This system intercepts groundwater at the base of the wall—before it enters your living space—and channels it to a sump pump basin, which safely discharges the water outside.

Great for solving:

  • Water leaking at the base of basement walls
  • Flooding after rain
  • Mold or musty odors from below-grade moisture
  • Hydrostatic pressure cracks in foundation floors

Often installed together with a Sump Pump System — Learn more

Exterior French Drains – Yard Drainage & Foundation Relief

Exterior French drains are buried outside your home to redirect surface water or groundwater away from key problem areas. These drains can be installed:

  • Along the perimeter of the home
  • Across low-lying areas of your yard
  • Behind retaining walls
  • Along driveways, patios, or other hardscapes

Our system includes:

  • Trench excavation and sloping for drainage flow
  • Perforated PVC or corrugated pipe with filter fabric
  • Washed gravel backfill
  • Optional dry well or daylight outlet

Exterior French drains help protect the foundation, correct grading issues, and prevent puddling that damages landscaping.

Great for solving:

  • Standing water in yards
  • Water against the house or window wells
  • Water collecting at the bottom of exterior steps
  • Overflowing downspouts and gutters

How a French Drain Works

Below is a simplified diagram of a standard French drain system:

(Note: You can insert the custom diagram we created earlier or a labeled cross-section here with clear captions for pipe, gravel, vapor barrier, etc.)

We Install — We Don’t Snake or Repair Old Systems

French drains that are improperly installed or clogged may fail. However, we do not service or snake old drains — we specialize in designing and installing new systems that are built to code, properly pitched, and guaranteed to work.

If your existing system has failed, we’ll inspect and design a replacement that works.

Trusted Across the DC Metro Region

We install French drains in homes throughout Capitol Hill, Chevy Chase, Brookland, Langley Park, Wheaton, Takoma Park, and surrounding areas. Our team has decades of experience working with older foundations, tight side yards, and sloped lots.

Free Inspections & Guaranteed Work

We offer free inspections for homeowners dealing with chronic water issues. You’ll receive a clear plan, a written estimate, and a team that does the job right the first time — no temporary fixes. Call us today at (301)783-0033. Or email us at customerservice@sumpdaddy.com.