French Drains in West Dulwich designed to move water away from your home, not into it. We install discreet drainage runs with correct gradients, clean finishes, and reliable outlets. Ideal for lawns, patios and side returns that stay soggy after rain.
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If your lawn near Belair Park-facing gardens or a side passage off SE21 keeps pooling, a French drain can make a dramatic difference. By collecting groundwater and redirecting it to a suitable outlet, we reduce standing water and slippery paving. It’s a practical fix for patios, borders and narrow access routes common around West Dulwich station. The result is a garden that dries faster and is easier to use year-round.
West Dulwich is known for leafy streets and period properties, from Victorian villas to Edwardian houses and well-kept conversions. These homes often have mature planting, older paving and levels that have shifted over decades, which can trap surface water. We regularly work across the french drains West Dulwich area, including nearby Dulwich Village and Herne Hill, where gardens can be long, shaded and prone to slow drainage. Our designs respect existing features while improving performance.
We start with an on-site assessment to trace where water collects and where it can legally discharge. Then we plan gradient design, trench excavation and outlet connection, using a geotextile membrane, gravel fill and perforated pipe to prevent silting. Where needed, we install multiple runs to cover wider lawns or wrap around patios. Work is kept tidy, surfaces are reinstated carefully, and you’ll receive clear maintenance advice.
Across the french drains in London Borough of Lambeth, we often see mixed ground conditions and gardens shaped by extensions, old paths and mature trees. Access can be tight in West Dulwich, so we plan spoil removal, deliveries and parking to minimise disruption. We also factor in nearby roots and boundary walls when setting trench lines and gradients. Our approach is practical, discreet and suited to SE21 period plots.
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Costs vary with length, depth, access and where the drain can discharge. As a guide, smaller runs for a side return or patio edge often start around £900–£1,800. Medium installations for a typical rear garden are commonly £1,800–£3,500. Larger schemes with multiple runs, deeper excavation or new soakaway/outlet upgrades can be £3,500–£7,000+. We provide a site-specific quote after assessment.
Most French drain installations take 1–3 days, depending on run length, soil conditions and how much reinstatement is required. A short trench with a straightforward outlet can be completed in a day, while multiple runs across a lawn or around paving may take longer. Timescales are also affected by access (narrow side passages), underground services, and whether we’re connecting to an existing drain or creating a new discharge point.
In many cases, garden drainage works like French drains are permitted and don’t require planning permission, especially when you’re improving drainage within your property boundary. However, rules can change if you’re altering a public connection, working near protected trees, or if the property is listed or within a conservation area. We’ll advise on likely requirements, check practical constraints, and ensure the outlet connection complies with good practice.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on our French drain installations covering workmanship and correct installation of key components such as the perforated pipe, membrane, gravel specification and gradient design. The warranty assumes normal use and that basic maintenance is followed, such as keeping gullies clear and avoiding soil build-up over the trench line. If a problem arises linked to our installation, we’ll investigate and put it right.
We tailor each system to the site. Options include different pipe diameters, gravel sizes, and heavier-duty geotextile membrane where silt is a concern. We can run drains along patio edges, down side returns, or install multiple runs in a lawn to capture wider areas. Outlet choices may include connecting to an existing surface water point, a new soakaway, or a discreet discharge where appropriate. We’ll recommend the best balance of performance and finish.
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