Cottonwood Heights Foundation Pros
French Drains in Cottonwood Heights, UT
French drain installation in Cottonwood Heights, UT: perimeter drainage, catch basins, and gravel-bed systems that redirect water. Free estimates.
- 15+ Years local experience
- 500+ Projects completed
- Licensed & Insured
Serving Cottonwood Heights and nearby communities.
Water that pools against a foundation wall after spring snowmelt from the canyons doesn't just sit there, it pushes. A French drain intercepts that water at grade or along the footing and routes it away before it adds to hydrostatic pressure on the wall. Cottonwood Heights Foundation Pros installs these systems with perforated pipe, gravel, and filter fabric sized to the lot's slope and soil, not a one-size trench.
On bench-grade properties where clay soil holds water longer than sandier fill, a properly graded French drain is often the difference between a dry basement and a recurring wet-wall problem every spring.
Materials
Materials and methods for French Drains
The system only works as well as the parts inside the trench. Here's what goes in ours.
Perforated Drain Pipe
Collects groundwater along its length and channels it away from the foundation instead of letting it pool against the wall.
Gravel Aggregate
Surrounds the pipe so water moves freely into it instead of getting trapped in dense bench-area clay.
Filter Fabric
Wraps the gravel bed to keep fine soil particles from washing in and clogging the pipe over years of freeze-thaw cycles.
Outlet Cap
Directs discharged water to daylight or a dry well well clear of the foundation footing.
Catch Basin
Collects surface runoff from downspouts or low spots and feeds it into the same drain line.
Backfill Soil
Restores the trench to grade so the yard drains properly and the system stays hidden once finished.
Questions on materials?
Get a Free EstimateHow it works
How our French Drains process works
Step 1Drainage Assessment
We walk the yard during or after rain to see where water actually collects.
Step 2Trench Excavation
A trench is cut along the route carrying water away from the foundation.
Step 3Gravel Base Placement
A gravel layer goes in first so water has somewhere to travel immediately.
Step 4Pipe Installation
Perforated pipe is laid with proper slope toward the outlet point.
Step 5Backfill And Cover
Gravel and soil fill the trench, restoring the lawn surface above it.
Step 6Outlet Testing
We run water through the system to confirm it drains the direction it's supposed to.
Timeline
How long does a French Drains take?
Most residential French drain jobs run a day or two depending on trench length and obstacles like existing landscaping or utility lines.
- 01
Consult
same day - 02
Layout and utility check
1 day - 03
Excavation and pipe install
2 days1 to
- 04
Backfill and grade restoration
same day - 05
Follow-up check
after the next rain event
Need a schedule that fits?
Get a Free EstimateWhat's included
What's included with French Drains
Typically included: trenching, pipe and gravel materials, outlet routing, backfill and grade restoration.
Optional: catch basin additions, downspout tie-ins, extended discharge lines to a street or dry well.
Customer prep: mark sprinkler lines or buried cables you know about, and clear plantings along the planned trench route.
Want a clearer scope?
Get a Free EstimateCodes & permits
Permits and codes for French Drains
Permit rules shift by jurisdiction. Check with Salt Lake County or Cottonwood Heights city before work starts.
| Typically needs a permit | Often no permit |
|---|---|
| Tying a drain line into a public storm drain connection | Standard perimeter French drain on private property |
| Discharge routing that crosses a property line or public right-of-way | Catch basin and downspout tie-ins contained on the homeowner's lot |
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Get a Free EstimateCost
What does a French Drain cost in Cottonwood Heights?
Cost depends mostly on trench length, depth, and how far water needs to travel to a safe outlet point. Ask for a free estimate and we'll walk the yard with you before naming a number.
| Project type | Typical range | What’s included |
|---|---|---|
| Short perimeter run | $1,500–$3,500, | single-side drainage for a localized wet spot. |
| Full perimeter system | $4,000–$9,000, | drain tile around most or all of the foundation. |
| Added catch basins or downspout tie-ins | $300–$800 | per basin, routes surface water into the same system. |
These are typical local ballparks — final cost depends on scope, materials, and site conditions. A free estimate gives you an accurate, itemized number for your home.
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Get a Free EstimateDIY vs pro
DIY vs hiring a pro for French Drains
| DIY | Hire a pro |
|---|---|
| Clearing an existing drain outlet of leaves and debris | Cutting a trench deep enough to actually intercept groundwater, not just surface puddles |
| Extending a downspout a few feet away from the foundation | Calculating proper slope so water flows to the outlet instead of sitting in the pipe |
| Regrading a small low spot with topsoil | Tying new drainage into an existing waterproofing or sump system correctly |
Not sure DIY vs pro?
Get a Free EstimateWhen to call
When to call for French Drains
Call for a free estimate before that moisture turns into a wall crack or a wet basement.
- Water pools against the foundation after every spring runoff
- A basement wall stays damp for days after rain even without visible cracks
- Downspouts dump water right next to the foundation with nowhere else to go
- A low spot in the yard never fully dries out between storms
Seeing warning signs?
Get a Free EstimateFAQs
French Drains FAQs
How much does a French drain cost in Cottonwood Heights?
Most residential systems run $1,500 to $9,000 depending on length and whether it's a partial or full perimeter install.
How long does French drain installation take?
A single-side drain is often a one-day job. A full perimeter system usually takes one to two days including backfill.
Do I need a permit for a French drain?
Standard perimeter drains on private property usually don't need a permit. Connecting to a public storm system typically does.
Can I install a French drain myself?
Clearing debris or extending a downspout is fine to DIY. Cutting a properly sloped trench that actually moves water takes grading experience most homeowners don't have.
What's the difference between a French drain and a sump pump?
A French drain moves water away from the foundation at the surface or shallow depth. A sump pump handles water that's already made it inside, usually paired with interior drain tile.
Will a French drain stop a wet basement on its own?
It helps a lot by reducing hydrostatic pressure, but if water is already entering through cracks, interior waterproofing or crack injection may still be needed alongside it.
What causes a French drain to stop working?
Clogged filter fabric, a crushed pipe, or an outlet that's been buried or blocked over time are the usual culprits.
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