French Drains in Greenwich designed to stop water pooling and protect your garden. We install discreet, high-capacity drainage with correct gradients, clean finishes and reliable outlets. Ideal for lawns, patios and side returns across SE10.
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Pooling water after heavy rain can ruin lawns, stain paving and push moisture towards foundations. Our team installs french drains Greenwich area homeowners rely on to redirect surface and ground water safely. We work across SE10, including Maze Hill and near Greenwich Park, where slopes and clay pockets can trap water. The result is a garden that drains faster and stays usable year-round.
Greenwich has a mix of Georgian townhouses, Victorian villas and modern waterfront apartments, each with different drainage challenges. Period gardens often have tight side access and older paving levels that need careful fall correction. Newer developments may have compacted sub-bases and limited discharge options. We tailor every system to the property, whether it’s a townhouse near the Old Royal Naval College or a terrace in Deptford.
We start with a site assessment, then design the gradient and outlet route before any digging begins. Installation includes trench excavation, a geotextile membrane wrap, perforated pipe, graded gravel fill and a secure outlet connection. Where needed, we run multiple lines to capture water from lawns, patios and downpipe areas. Homeowners choose us for clear specifications, tidy workmanship and a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
Ground conditions vary across the borough, with clay-heavy patches and compacted soils that hold water. Access can be tight around Georgian and Victorian plots, so we plan trench routes and spoil removal carefully. We also consider parking, delivery timings and safe outlet locations so water discharges correctly without causing nuisance. If council guidance affects discharge to surface water systems, we’ll advise and adjust the design.
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Costs vary with length, depth, access and where the water can discharge. As a guide, small targeted runs often start around £900–£1,800, while longer systems with multiple runs, deeper excavation or reinstatement of paving can be £2,000–£5,000+. If a new soakaway, rodding points or complex outlet connection is needed, budgets can rise further. We provide a written, itemised estimate after a site visit.
Most domestic installations take 1–3 days, depending on the run length and how much reinstatement is required. A short trench along a lawn edge can often be completed in a day, while multiple runs around patios, side returns and downpipe areas may take longer. Timescales are affected by access for excavation, the need to work around services, and whether we’re lifting and relaying paving. We’ll confirm a schedule before starting.
In many cases, French drains in gardens are permitted and don’t need planning permission, especially when they’re below ground and don’t change levels significantly. However, rules can differ for listed buildings, conservation areas, shared drainage routes and works near boundaries. Discharging water to public systems may also require checks. We’ll advise on the likely requirements and, where needed, help you confirm details with the Royal Borough of Greenwich before work begins.
Yes. Our French drain installations come with a 10-year warranty covering workmanship and the correct installation of key components such as the gradient, pipework, membrane and gravel surround. It’s designed to give you confidence that the system will perform as specified when used normally. The warranty doesn’t cover damage from later building works, blocked outlets caused by third-party alterations, or issues from extreme events beyond design assumptions. We also provide maintenance guidance.
We can install standard perforated pipe with graded gravel, or higher-capacity pipework where water volumes are heavier. Options include different gravel sizes, membrane grades, rodding points for easier maintenance, and discreet surface finishes such as gravel strips or hidden in planting borders. Outlet choices may include connecting to an existing surface water line or directing to a suitable soakaway where feasible. We’ll recommend the best layout after assessing falls, soil type and problem areas.
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