French drains · Drainage
Where the water goes now.
Summer storms here drop a lot of rain, fast. If it pools by the foundation, turns the side yard into a swamp or drowns a bed every afternoon, a French drain can collect it and carry it somewhere better.
- Sarasota & Manatee County
- Free on-site estimate
- You deal with the owner
A simple idea, built carefully.
A French drain is a trench with perforated pipe in a bed of gravel, wrapped to keep soil out, sloped so water flows to a discharge point. Water finds the gravel, enters the pipe and leaves.
The idea is simple. The work is in the slope, the route and — most of all — where the water ends up.
You probably need one if…
Water stands in the same spot for hours after rain. A side yard stays muddy for days. Mulch washes out of the same bed every storm. Water runs toward the house instead of away from it. Plants in one corner keep dying from wet feet.
Hidden under the design.
A French drain doesn’t have to look like a utility project. It can run under a gravel path, a bed or a strip of lawn, so the fix disappears into the yard. When we do drainage as part of a redo, the drain is laid out first and the design goes on top.
Worth knowing before the visit
- 01
Season
Florida’s wet season runs roughly June through September. Fixing drainage before it starts saves a summer of mud.
- 02
Discharge
The water has to go somewhere sensible — usually the street, a swale or a lower part of the property. Craig works that out on site.
- 03
Gutters
Downspouts dumping right next to the foundation are a common cause. Tying them into the drain often solves half the problem.
What Rachel R. wrote
He is a genius in what to plant and did a French drain on my side taking pooling water to drain into the street.
From Craig's projects
Photos of Craig's finished work, from the original Sarasota Landscaping Inc. showcase and his newer jobs. Tap any photo to see it larger.
01After: a gravel path edged in white stone beside the pool cage, lined with areca palms and red and gold tropicals 02After: backyard with palms, a gravel sitting area with a bench and a paver path to the gate 03Side yard paver path between new planting beds 04Side yard paver path with palms and fresh mulch
French Drains: common questions
01How do I know if I need a French drain?
02Where does the water go?
03Will it tear up my yard?
Related services
- 01
Retaining walls
Walls for grade changes and raised beds, including block matched to what is already there.
Read more - 02
Landscape Installation
Full front- and back-yard redos: tear-out, beds, palms, plants, rock, sod — installed by one crew.
Read more - 03
Hardscape
Brick-paver patios, walkways and pool decks that tie the planting to the house.
Read more
Free on-site estimate.
Say what the job is and the city. Craig will set a time to walk the property.