Drainage Solutions
French Drain Installation & Repair
Redirect groundwater and surface water away from your home. Protecting your foundation, basement, and yard from costly damage.
Protect Your Foundation
Water Where You Want It
Managing water around your property is one of the most important steps in protecting your home. A poorly drained yard leads to basement leaks, foundation cracks, soggy lawns, and erosion. All of which get more expensive the longer you wait.
A French drain is a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that carries water away from problem areas to a safer discharge point. Properly designed and installed, it dramatically reduces foundation pressure and eliminates standing water.
As experienced French drain installers serving Catonsville, Baltimore County, and Howard County, we assess water flow patterns, design the right system for your property, and handle the full French drain installation with proper fabric, gravel, and discharge routing. We provide upfront estimates before the work begins, so the cost of installing a French drain is clear from the start. Built to last.
- Site assessment and drain design
- Trench excavation
- Perforated pipe installation
- Drainage gravel and fabric
- Discharge routing
- Surface restoration
What We Offer
Our Services
Drain Design
We map your yard’s water flow and design a system that solves the actual problem. Not just hides it.
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Installation
Complete French drain installation: trench, pipe, gravel, fabric, and a properly graded discharge. Installed to perform for decades.
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Drain Repair
Old French drains clog over time. We diagnose failed systems and repair or rebuild as needed.
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Signs You Need Better Drainage
01
Standing water in the yard after rain
02
Soft or spongy soil
03
Water in the basement or crawlspace
04
Visible erosion around the property
05
Yard slopes toward the home
06
Persistent moisture problems
Why Homeowners Choose Metcalf
$0
Commissions
Our plumbers are paid hourly. They have zero incentive to upsell you.
23+
Years
Over two decades serving Baltimore-area homeowners.
Same-Day
Response
Fast response times because we know plumbing emergencies can’t wait.
4.9
Stars
Hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied customers.
WATER MANAGEMENT
What a French Drain Actually Does
During heavy rain, water collects in the soil around your foundation. The wetter the ground gets, the more hydrostatic pressure builds against your basement walls.
That pressure finds the path of least resistance. Usually a hairline crack, cold joint, or porous concrete. And pushes water straight into your basement.
A French drain intercepts that groundwater before it ever reaches the foundation. A perforated pipe buried in gravel collects water at the source and gives it an easier path to follow.
From there, the system routes the water safely away. To daylight, a dry well, or a sump basin. So it can’t pool against your basement walls.
What’s included
- Excavation around foundation perimeter
- Perforated pipe installation
- Gravel and filter fabric
- Connection to discharge point or sump pump
- Backfill and surface restoration
Good to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a French drain?
A gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe that collects and redirects groundwater away from your foundation, keeping basements and yards dry.
Do I need a French drain?
If you have a wet basement, pooling water, or a soggy yard after rain, a French drain. Sometimes paired with a sump pump. Is often the fix.
French drain or sump pump. Which do I need?
They solve different parts of the problem and often work together: the drain collects water, the sump pump discharges it. We’ll assess your site.
How long does a French drain last?
Decades when properly designed and installed with the right gravel, fabric, and slope.
How much does a French drain cost?
Cost depends on the length of the run, the depth, soil conditions, and where the water discharges. Every French drain installation is a little different, so we assess your site and provide an upfront estimate before any digging starts.
Do you install French drains?
Yes. We design and install them to solve drainage and outdoor water problems. Call (410) 242-3111.
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No commissions, no upsells. Just honest plumbing from a team that treats your home like their own. Schedule online or call us directly.
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