What is Justin's Yard & Garden?

Simple, reliable yard maintenance packages designed for townhome owners.

What's the difference between a French drain and a surface drain?

A French drain is underground — it collects groundwater through a perforated pipe in a gravel trench. A surface drain (catch basin) collects water that's pooling on top. Many yards need both.

How long does a French drain last?

A properly installed French drain can last 10–20+ years. The most common failure is clogging from silt and roots — we use filter fabric to prevent that.

Where does the water go?

We route the pipe to a safe discharge point — a storm drain, a lower area of your yard, or a dry well. We never direct water toward your home or a neighbor's.

Can a French drain fix a wet basement?

Often, yes. A French drain along your foundation intercepts groundwater before it reaches your walls. For serious basement water, we may recommend a combination of exterior drain and downspout routing.

French Drain Installation for Wet Yards

Underground drainage that collects and redirects groundwater away from your yard and foundation.

A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that intercepts groundwater and moves it away from your home. It's one of the most effective fixes for soggy yards, wet basements, and water pooling near your foundation.

What's Included

Water-flow diagnosis
Trench excavation & grading
Perforated pipe & gravel install
Filter fabric to prevent clogging
Discharge routing to safe area

Why You Might Need French Drains

Common situations we see across Northern Virginia yards.

Your yard is soggy for days after every rain because groundwater has nowhere to go.

Water seeps into your basement or crawlspace during heavy rain.

Surface water runs across your yard or driveway, eroding beds and washing away mulch.

How JYG Approaches French Drains

A French drain is one of the most effective fixes for soggy yards and wet basements — a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that intercepts groundwater and moves it away from your home. We install it properly with filter fabric to prevent clogging, and we route the discharge to a safe area. It's a fix that lasts decades when done right.

What to Expect

Free assessment — we diagnose the water source and determine the right drain location.

We excavate the trench with proper slope and grade for water flow.

We install perforated pipe in a gravel trench with filter fabric to prevent clogging.

We route the discharge to a safe area — a storm drain, lower yard area, or dry well.

Northern Virginia Considerations

Northern Virginia's clay soil holds water at the surface instead of letting it percolate down — making French drains essential for many NoVA yards. The most common failure point is silt clogging the pipe over time; we install filter fabric wrap to prevent that and keep your drain flowing for 10–20+ years.