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Effective subsurface drainage systems to redirect groundwater away from your foundation.
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench containing a perforated pipe that collects subsurface water and redirects it away from an area where it's causing problems. While the term is often used interchangeably with weeping tile, French drains in the traditional sense are installed in yards, along property lines, beside walkways, and around patios — anywhere surface or shallow subsurface water needs to be intercepted and rerouted before it reaches your foundation or pools in your yard.
In Toronto, French drains solve a specific problem that many homeowners face: water pooling in yards due to poor natural drainage. The heavy clay soil across most of the GTA has extremely low permeability — rainwater sits on the surface or just below it rather than draining downward. A French drain creates an artificial drainage path through the clay, collecting water in the gravel trench and routing it through the perforated pipe to a discharge point — either a storm sewer connection, dry well, or a lower area of the property.
Why Choose Us
The most common French drain application in GTA homes is solving yard drainage that directs water toward the foundation. If your backyard slopes toward the house, or if water pools along the foundation during rainfall, a French drain installed between the problem area and your foundation wall intercepts the water before it reaches the concrete. We install these drains 3-4 feet from the foundation wall at a depth of 18-24 inches, creating an effective barrier that catches both surface runoff and shallow groundwater.
Property line drainage is another frequent application. When your neighbour's lot is graded to drain toward your property — a common situation in Toronto's tightly packed neighbourhoods — a French drain along the property line collects the runoff before it crosses onto your lot. This resolves neighbour drainage disputes effectively and permanently without requiring the adjacent property owner to regrade their yard.
Don't Ignore the Signs
Our French drain installation process begins with trenching using a compact excavator or by hand depending on site access. The trench is typically 12-18 inches wide and 18-24 inches deep, graded at a minimum 1% slope toward the discharge point. We line the trench with geotextile filter fabric that prevents clay and soil particles from migrating into the gravel and clogging the system — a critical step that many DIY installations skip, leading to failure within 3-5 years.
A 4-inch perforated pipe is placed on a bed of clear gravel at the bottom of the trench, then surrounded with additional gravel to within 4-6 inches of the surface. The filter fabric is wrapped over the top of the gravel, and topsoil and sod are placed on top. When complete, the French drain is invisible — only the discharge outlet is visible. The system works passively with no pumps or power required, using gravity to move water from the collection area to the discharge point.
French drain costs in Toronto range from $2,000-$6,000 depending on the length of the trench, depth, and discharge routing. A 30-foot drain along one side of a house typically costs $2,000-$3,000. Longer runs across backyards or along property lines cost more. If the discharge needs to connect to the municipal storm sewer — which requires a permit and tap-in — the cost increases accordingly. Every installation includes rigid PVC pipe, clear stone gravel, geotextile fabric, and proper grading.
French drains are a long-lasting, low-maintenance solution when installed correctly. With proper filter fabric and clean stone, a French drain will function for 25-40 years without intervention. The only maintenance we recommend is keeping the discharge outlet clear of debris and occasionally checking that water flows freely after a heavy rain. Unlike sump pumps and interior systems, there are no mechanical components to fail — gravity does all the work.
Materials & Methods
4-inch rigid perforated PVC pipe collects subsurface water through its holes and channels it by gravity to the discharge point. Rigid pipe maintains grade permanently.
3/4-inch clear stone (no fines) surrounds the pipe, creating a highly permeable zone that collects water from surrounding clay soil and directs it to the pipe.
Non-woven fabric wraps the entire gravel bed, preventing Toronto's fine clay particles from migrating into the stone and clogging the system over time.
Our Process
We evaluate water flow patterns, identify collection and discharge points, and mark underground utilities before designing the drain layout.
A trench is excavated to the required depth and width with proper slope toward the discharge point, verified with laser level.
Geotextile fabric lines the trench, clear gravel is laid, and 4-inch perforated PVC pipe is placed on the gravel bed and surrounded with additional stone.
The filter fabric is wrapped over the gravel, topsoil is added, and sod or landscaping is restored. The drain is completely invisible when finished.
Client Reviews
“Outstanding job! My basement is finally dry thanks to your team. No more musty smell or moisture problems. A+ service!”
“From the initial appointment to final inspection, service was exceptional. Prompt, professional, and results exceeded expectations.”
“Professional and friendly staff. They solved our leaky basement in no time. The results were fantastic. Basement has been leak-free since the work was done.”
Experience & Expertise
Related Solutions
Professional weeping tile and French drain systems to redirect water away from your foundation.
Learn More →Surface water management systems that prevent basement flooding by intercepting water before it reaches your foundation.
Learn More →Comprehensive exterior foundation protection with membranes and drainage to prevent water from reaching your basement.
Learn More →Service Areas
We provide french drain installation throughout Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area.
Common Questions
