Garden Drainage in East Dulwich that fixes soggy lawns, pooling patios and damp-prone borders. We design and install French drains, soakaways and discreet surface drainage that suits period gardens.
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If your garden floods after heavy rain or water sits on paving, the issue is usually poor falls, compacted ground or blocked outlets. Our drainage solutions are designed for real East Dulwich gardens, from Lordship Lane courtyards to larger plots near Dulwich Park. We stop waterlogging, protect planting, and reduce the risk of moisture tracking towards the house. Every job starts with finding the cause, not guessing the fix.
East Dulwich homes are often Victorian terraces, Edwardian houses and period conversions, where older paving and shallow sub-bases can trap water. Rear access can be tight in SE22, so we plan materials and spoil removal carefully to keep disruption down. Whether you’re in Peckham Rye or Dulwich Village, we tailor drain routes around existing services, mature trees and established borders. The aim is a clean finish that looks right for the property.
We begin with a site assessment and, where needed, CCTV surveys to confirm blockages, silted runs or collapsed pipes. Then we install the right system—French drains, land drains, channel drains, catch pits, grading or pump systems—tested before we reinstate surfaces. You’ll get clear recommendations, tidy workmanship and a written 10-year warranty on our installation. Fine Landscaping is based 20 minutes away, so aftercare is straightforward.
In the London Borough of Southwark, many gardens combine clay-heavy soil with compacted ground from years of use, which slows drainage. East Dulwich access is often via narrow side returns, so we use smaller machinery and phased excavation to keep routes clear. We also account for shared boundaries, existing rainwater runs and the need to avoid diverting water onto neighbouring plots. Where discharge options are limited, we design soakaways, catch pits or pump systems to suit the site.
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Costs vary with the cause and the system required. As a guide, small fixes such as local grading or a short channel drain run often start from £600–£1,200. French drains and land drains for a typical rear garden are commonly £1,500–£4,000. Soakaways, catch pits and pump systems can take projects to £3,000–£8,000+, especially where access is tight or reinstatement is extensive.
Most garden drainage projects take 1–3 days, depending on garden size, access and how much paving or turf needs lifting and reinstating. A straightforward French drain run can be completed in a day, while combined solutions—grading, land drains and a soakaway—often take 2–4 days. If we’re adding a pump system, allow extra time for electrics and testing. Wet weather and hidden services can also affect timings.
In many cases, garden drainage works are permitted and don’t need planning permission, particularly when you’re improving drainage within your boundary. However, rules can change if you’re altering levels significantly, working near party boundaries, or connecting to existing surface water systems. We’ll advise on best practice for discharge and help you avoid directing water onto pavements or neighbouring land. If permissions or approvals are needed, we’ll flag them before work starts.
Yes. We provide a 10-year warranty on our drainage installation workmanship, covering issues such as failed joints, incorrect falls, or installation-related blockages. It also covers the integrity of the installed components (for example, drain runs and catch pits) when used as designed. The warranty doesn’t cover damage from third-party works, tree root intrusion that develops later, or lack of maintenance where cleaning is required. We’ll explain care steps at handover.
We offer several proven options depending on your garden and finish. French drains can use perforated pipe with clean gravel and geotextile to prevent silt. Channel drains come in slimline polymer or metal grilles to suit patios and paths. Soakaways can be crate systems or traditional rubble pits, sized to ground conditions. We can also add catch pits for maintenance access, grading for better falls, and pump systems where gravity drainage isn’t possible.
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