French Drains in Shirley that move water away fast and discreetly. We design the right gradient, install robust pipework and leave your garden tidy. Ideal for lawns, patios and problem borders after heavy rain.
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If your lawn holds water or patios stay slick for days, a properly built French drain can transform how your garden copes with rainfall. We install drainage that captures surface and ground water and carries it to a suitable outlet. Homeowners around CR0 often call us after repeated pooling near paths, sheds and side returns. We regularly work near Shirley Windmill and up towards Addington Hills where runoff can be a nuisance.
Shirley’s leafy suburban plots include many 1930s semis with narrow side access, plus detached homes and newer developments with compact gardens. These layouts often need drainage that fits tight boundaries without disrupting planting or paving. We plan routes that avoid services, protect roots and keep levels sensible around thresholds. If you’re in Addiscombe, Addington or close to Croydon, we’ll tailor the design to your property’s footprint and fall.
Our process starts with a site check to confirm where water is coming from and where it can legally and safely discharge. We then set out the run, excavate the trench, install geotextile membrane, lay perforated pipe, and backfill with clean gravel for long-term flow. Where needed, we build multiple runs and connect to a reliable outlet, always using a measured gradient design. Homeowners choose us for tidy workmanship, clear communication and a 10-year warranty on installation.
We’re used to access constraints on 1930s semis and the parking realities around CR0 streets, so we plan deliveries and spoil removal carefully. In the London Borough of Croydon, we also consider where water can discharge and whether existing soakaways or surface water lines are suitable. Ground levels near Addington can vary, so we set falls precisely to prevent backflow. Our method keeps disruption low while ensuring the system is maintainable.
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Costs vary with length, depth, access and where the outlet connection can be made. As a guide, smaller installations for a side return or short lawn edge often start around £900–£1,800. Typical garden runs are commonly £1,800–£4,500, while complex setups with multiple runs, deeper excavation or tricky spoil removal can be £4,500–£8,000+. We’ll survey and provide a clear, itemised estimate.
Most French drain jobs take 1–3 days on site, depending on the run length, depth and access for digging and waste removal. A straightforward single run along a lawn edge can often be completed in a day. Multiple runs, outlet connection work, or reinstatement around patios and planting can extend the programme. Weather, hidden services and ground conditions also affect timescales, especially in tighter Shirley side passages.
In many cases, garden drainage works are permitted and don’t require planning permission. However, rules can change if you’re altering levels significantly, working near boundaries, or discharging water to a public sewer or highway drain. We’ll advise on the safest compliant outlet and check any relevant restrictions, including considerations for listed buildings or special sites. If approvals are needed, we’ll help you understand what to apply for before work starts.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on our French drain installation workmanship, covering the integrity of the trench build-up, membrane placement, pipe installation and connections (subject to normal use). The warranty doesn’t cover damage from third-party excavation, major ground movement, or blockages caused by misuse. We also explain simple maintenance steps to keep the system flowing, and we’re available for inspections if performance changes over time.
We can tailor the build depending on the problem area and finish you want. Options include different pipe diameters, rigid or flexible perforated pipe, clean angular gravel grades, and heavier-duty geotextile membrane for silty ground. We can add inspection points for easier maintenance, create multiple runs feeding a main line, or connect to a soakaway or approved outlet. We’ll recommend the best design after assessing levels, soil and access.
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