French Drains in Kennington designed to move water away from your home, not into it. We install discreet, high-capacity drainage with correct gradients, clean finishes and reliable outlets.
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Water pooling after heavy rain is common around Oval and Vauxhall, especially where patios and paths have reduced soakaway areas. A properly designed French drain intercepts groundwater and surface run-off, then channels it to a safe outlet. We assess levels, identify the wettest zones and install drainage that works year-round. You’ll get a solution that protects planting, paving and foundations without spoiling the look of the garden.
Kennington’s mix of Georgian townhouses, Victorian terraces and mansion blocks often comes with narrow side passages, lightwells and compact rear gardens. These spaces can trap water against walls and create damp patches near basements or lower ground floors. We’re used to working around period brickwork, existing paving and mature borders. For homeowners near Kennington Park and SE11 streets, we tailor the layout to suit access, levels and the property’s drainage points.
Our process starts with a site survey and gradient design, then careful trench excavation to the correct depth and fall. We install a perforated pipe, wrap and line with geotextile membrane, and backfill with clean gravel for long-term flow. Where needed, we create multiple runs to capture water across wider lawns or along boundaries, then complete a secure outlet connection. Every installation is finished neatly, tested, and covered by our 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
We regularly install french drains in London Borough of Lambeth where mixed ground, older drains and hard landscaping can push water to the lowest point. Access in Kennington can be tight, so we plan spoil removal, deliveries and parking to minimise disruption. We also consider nearby basements, lightwells and shared boundaries typical of terraces and mansion blocks. If required, we can coordinate discharge points to existing surface water systems or suitable soakaway locations.
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Costs vary with length, depth, access and where the outlet can connect. As a guide, small runs for a side return or patio edge often start around £900–£1,800. Medium installations across a rear garden are commonly £2,000–£4,500. Complex projects with multiple runs, deeper excavation, reinstatement of paving, or difficult access can reach £5,000–£8,000+. We provide a clear written quote after a site visit.
Most domestic installations take 1–3 days, depending on the run length and how much reinstatement is needed. A straightforward trench with pipe, membrane and gravel can often be completed in a day. Jobs take longer if we’re working around existing paving, steps, lightwells, or if multiple runs are required to capture water across a wider area. Weather, access for materials, and outlet connection complexity also affect timescales.
French drains in private gardens are usually permitted development because they’re below ground and don’t alter the building significantly. However, rules can change if you’re in a listed building, near a basement extension, or if you need to connect to a public sewer or alter a front garden drainage arrangement. We’ll advise on the safest discharge option and check any Lambeth requirements before work starts, including permissions for connections where applicable.
Yes. Our French drain installations come with a 10-year warranty covering workmanship and correct installation of the system, including pipe placement, membrane use, gravel backfill and gradient. It’s designed to give you confidence that the drain will perform as intended when maintained normally. The warranty doesn’t cover issues caused by third-party damage, major ground movement, or blocked outlets due to external debris, but we can provide maintenance visits if needed.
We can tailor the system to your garden and water volume. Options include different pipe diameters, rigid or flexible perforated pipe, gravel grades for faster flow, and full geotextile wrapping to reduce silt ingress. Design choices include single runs along walls, perimeter drains, or multiple runs across lawns for widespread saturation. We’ll recommend the best outlet connection—soakaway, existing surface water line, or other compliant discharge—based on levels and site constraints.
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