French Drains in Nunhead designed to move water away fast and discreetly. We install robust trench systems with correct gradients, clean finishes and reliable outlets. Ideal for soggy lawns, damp walls and flooded patio edges.
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If your garden holds water after rain, a properly designed French drain can transform how the space performs year-round. We install drainage runs that collect and redirect excess water away from patios, lawns and foundations. In SE15, we’re often called to properties near Nunhead Green and Telegraph Hill Park where heavy downpours can overwhelm tired soakaways. The result is a garden that dries quicker and stays usable.
Nunhead’s Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses and period cottages commonly have narrow side returns, older brickwork and compact rear gardens. That mix can lead to surface water pooling along boundaries or against extensions, especially where paving has been laid without falls. We’re used to working around mature planting, shared access and delicate period details. For homeowners in Peckham, East Dulwich and nearby streets, we tailor drainage routes to suit the plot rather than forcing a one-size layout.
Our process starts with a site assessment, levels check and a clear plan for gradient design and outlet connection. We excavate a neat trench, install a geotextile membrane, lay perforated pipe, then backfill with graded gravel for long-term flow. Where needed, we create multiple runs to intercept water from different zones and connect to a suitable discharge point. Work is kept tidy, and every installation is backed by a 10-year warranty for peace of mind.
Ground conditions across the London Borough of Southwark can vary, but in Nunhead we often see compacted soils and older garden levels that encourage standing water. Access can be tight behind terraces, so we plan spoil removal and material deliveries carefully and keep disruption low. We also design outlets sensibly, whether that’s to an existing surface water point or a compliant soakaway where suitable. If you’re close to Nunhead Cemetery or the SE15 rail lines, we’ll factor in boundaries and services before digging.
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Costs in Nunhead usually depend on length, depth, access and where the water can discharge. As a guide, small garden runs might start around £900–£1,800, while longer or deeper systems with multiple runs and a new soakaway can be £2,000–£5,000+. Tight access in Victorian terraces, hand-digging, and reinstatement of paving or turf can increase the budget. We provide a written, itemised estimate after a site visit.
Most French drain installations take 1–3 days, depending on trench length, depth and whether we’re adding multiple runs. Straightforward side return trenches with easy access can often be completed in a day. Larger rear gardens, hand excavation, or careful work around services and mature planting can extend the schedule. Weather, disposal logistics and reinstatement (turfing, gravel, or paving repairs) also affect timescales. We’ll confirm a realistic programme before starting.
In many cases, French drains in gardens are permitted development and don’t require planning permission, especially when they’re below ground and don’t alter boundaries. However, rules can change if you’re working near a listed building, in a conservation area, or if the discharge point affects public drains or neighbouring land. We’ll advise on best practice, check practical constraints, and recommend contacting the London Borough of Southwark where approvals may be needed.
Yes. Our French drain installations come with a 10-year warranty covering workmanship and correct installation of key components such as the trench build-up, geotextile membrane placement, pipe bedding and connections. It’s designed to give homeowners confidence that the system will perform as intended when maintained properly. The warranty does not cover damage from third-party works, blocked outlets due to external debris, or changes to garden levels after installation. We also provide maintenance guidance.
We can tailor the system to your garden and budget, including pipe diameter choices, gravel grades, and whether to use a clean stone finish or reinstate turf above. Options include single runs along a wall, perimeter interception drains, or multiple runs feeding a main line. We always use a geotextile membrane to reduce silt ingress and design proper gradients for consistent flow. If an outlet isn’t available, we can discuss soakaway solutions where ground conditions allow.
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