French Drains in Shortlands designed to move groundwater away from your home and garden. We install discreet drainage runs with the right gradient, gravel and membranes for long-term performance. Ideal for BR2 lawns, borders and problem patios.
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If your lawn stays spongy after rain or water gathers by the patio, a properly built French drain can transform how your garden behaves. We install drainage systems across BR2, including homes near Shortlands station and the Ravensbourne corridor where runoff can linger. Our drains capture groundwater and redirect it to a suitable outlet, reducing puddling and protecting planting areas. The result is a garden you can use sooner after wet weather.
Shortlands is known for large Edwardian houses, Victorian villas and well-kept 1930s properties, many with mature gardens and older hardstanding. These plots often have compacted sub-bases, tired soakaways or changes in levels that trap water against paths and walls. We tailor the layout to each property, whether you’re in Shortlands itself or nearby Bromley and Beckenham. Our recommendations balance drainage performance with a neat finish that suits period homes.
Every installation starts with a site assessment and gradient design so water flows reliably, not back towards the house. We carry out trench excavation, fit a perforated pipe, wrap with a geotextile membrane, then gravel fill and reinstate surfaces cleanly. Where needed, we run multiple lines to tackle wider lawns or long side returns, and connect to a lawful outlet. Homeowners choose us for tidy workmanship, clear communication and a 10-year warranty.
In the London Borough of Bromley, access and parking can be tight on residential roads, so we plan deliveries and spoil removal to minimise disruption. Around Shortlands Golf Club and nearby streets, gardens often have mature roots and mixed ground make-up, so we adjust trench lines and depths accordingly. We also consider existing gullies, levels and surface water routes before connecting an outlet. If reinstatement needs to match older paths or edging, we finish with care.
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Costs in Shortlands typically range from £90–£160 per linear metre for a standard French drain, depending on depth, access and reinstatement. Small problem areas may start around £900–£1,800, while larger gardens needing multiple runs and a new outlet connection can be £2,500–£6,000+. We’ll confirm the best route, gradient and discharge point before providing a detailed, itemised quote.
Most French drain installations take 1–3 days, with larger or multi-run systems taking up to a week. Timescales depend on trench length, digging conditions, whether we’re working around patios or steps, and how much reinstatement is required. If an outlet connection needs additional pipework or careful routing around services, that can add time. We’ll agree a schedule and keep the site tidy throughout.
In most cases, French drains are classed as garden drainage works and don’t require planning permission. However, rules can differ for listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, or where you’re altering levels significantly or connecting to certain drainage systems. We’ll advise on the safest discharge options and check practical constraints before work begins. If any permissions or approvals are needed, we’ll flag them early.
Yes. Our French drain installations come with a 10-year warranty covering workmanship and correct installation of the system components, including the perforated pipe, membrane wrap and gravel specification. The warranty assumes normal use and that outlets aren’t altered or blocked by later works. We also explain simple maintenance steps to keep performance high, such as checking inspection points and keeping surface debris away from inlets.
We can tailor french drains Shortlands area installations with different pipe diameters, gravel grades and trench widths to suit flow and space. Options include deeper trenches for persistent groundwater, multiple runs feeding a collector line, and discreet inspection points for maintenance. We use a geotextile membrane to reduce silt ingress and can connect to an appropriate outlet where available. We’ll recommend the best configuration after assessing levels and water sources.
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