French Drains in Herne Hill designed to move water away from your home, not just mask the problem. We install discreet, high-capacity drainage with proper gradients, clean finishes and reliable outlets. Ideal for gardens, side returns and patios that keep pooling after rain.
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If your lawn squelches, patio puddles linger, or a side return stays damp, a French drain can redirect water to a safe outlet. We build robust drainage runs that suit Herne Hill’s compact gardens and busy streets. From plots near Brockwell Park to homes around Herne Hill station, we plan routes that work with existing levels and landscaping. The result is a drier garden and less risk of water tracking towards walls.
Herne Hill’s Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses and period conversions often have narrow access and older hard landscaping that traps surface water. We’re used to working around bay windows, cellar lightwells, mature planting and shared boundaries. Whether you’re close to Dulwich, Brixton or Tulse Hill, we tailor the system to your garden’s fall and the way rainwater currently moves. Our designs prioritise long-term performance over quick fixes.
We start with a site survey, then set a clear gradient design and outlet connection plan before excavation begins. Each run is built with trench excavation, geotextile membrane, perforated pipe and graded gravel fill to prevent silting. We can install multiple runs for larger gardens or persistent wet patches, then reinstate surfaces neatly. Homeowners choose Fine Landscaping for tidy workmanship, clear communication and a 10-year warranty on installation.
We regularly work across SE24 and understand the access challenges of terraced streets and controlled parking. In the french drains in London Borough of Lambeth/Southwark area, we plan spoil removal, deliveries and reinstatement to minimise disruption. Ground conditions can vary between compacted made-ground and heavier clay pockets, so we adjust trench depth, gravel grade and pipe layout accordingly. We also check discharge options carefully to avoid overloading existing gullies.
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Costs vary with length, depth, access and where the water can discharge. As a guide, smaller installations for a side return or short run often start around £900–£1,800. Typical garden runs are commonly £1,800–£3,800, while larger or multiple-run systems with complex outlet connections can reach £4,000–£7,500+. We’ll survey and provide a written, itemised quote.
Most straightforward jobs take 1–2 days, including excavation, pipework, gravel fill and reinstatement. Medium runs or multiple sections typically take 2–4 days, especially if we’re working around existing paving, steps or tight access common in SE24 terraces. Timescales depend on trench length, spoil removal, weather, and whether we’re connecting to a soakaway, gully or other outlet. We’ll confirm a schedule before starting.
In many cases, French drains are classed as minor garden works and don’t need planning permission. However, rules can change if you’re altering levels significantly, working near a party wall, or dealing with listed buildings or conservation areas found around parts of Herne Hill and nearby streets. Discharging water must also be done correctly and legally. We’ll advise on constraints and check any relevant council guidance before work begins.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on our French drain installation workmanship, covering issues such as incorrect falls, failed joints, or installation-related defects that affect performance. The warranty assumes normal use and that the system isn’t damaged by later building works, tree root removal, or blocked outlets beyond our control. We also explain simple maintenance steps to keep the drain flowing freely year-round.
We can tailor the build to your garden and budget, including different pipe diameters, gravel grades and trench widths for higher flow. Options include deeper runs for persistent wet areas, multiple runs feeding a single outlet, and discreet finishes under gravel borders or alongside paving. We always use a geotextile membrane to reduce silt ingress and specify the gradient design on site. For the french drains herne hill area, we’ll recommend the best approach after a survey.
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