What is a

A French drain system is carefully designed to collect water after it’s already made its way into your soil.

To start, a trench must be dug within your property for the pipe to sit in — but this isn’t just any pipe! The pipes in a French drain will have perforations, or holes, to help collect water from the trench.

As water slips down beneath the surface and accumulation occurs, the water will rise through the holes and into the pipe before being carried away.

Surrounding this pipe is gravel or stones, which help guide water towards the pipe — ensuring an effective drainage process.

French Drains Protect your Foundation and Landscaping.

The main reason to install a French drain is to protect your foundation from water damage.

When water overflow accumulates either at the base of your home or within the soil underneath it, it’s much more likely to experience soil expansion, shifting and settlement. This can lead to foundation cracking, sinking and instability.

One significant advantage of adding French drains to your home is that they can blend in naturally with your landscape, especially when compared to surface drains.

The drainage occurs once the water has already entered your soil, so the plumbing system can be covered with rock landscaping or grass to hide what lies beneath.

Low to No visibility

Rapid and constant water removal system

works even underneath landscaping

Which Homes can benefit from a French Drain?

A French drain is meant to solve water accumulation and its harmful effects — such as foundation settlement and soil shifting. For this reason, homes that tend to have puddles of water left over after a storm should consider installing this drain type.

Fort Worth is growing so rapidly, and the quality of even new builds is deteriorating. French drains are no longer for older homes with shifting soil.
If you have a lawn without natural or intentional sloping, leaving water to accumulate near your foundation, or in vital forms of landscaping, a french drain may be necessary.

For any questions, contact the Team at JOS, and we can answer any questions and provide a professional service that sets your home up for success.

What Sets JOS Apart?

  • Honesty:
    We will gladly provide information at any consultation in order to provide you the best answer to your problem. Even if that means we dont get a sale.

  • Integrity:
    Our Entire process is transparent, our bids are intentionally simple. You shouldnt have to speak legalese in order to protect your home from standing water. The world of handshakes is unfortunately a thing of the past, but if a team member of JOS says they will do something, You can count on it.

  • Experience:
    Our team has been installing French drains for over 10 years now, with well over 50,000 feet in the ground in DFW. There isn't a problem we haven't seen, or an obstacle we haven't over come! IF you have a problem, we can solve it.

Don't worry, we can help!

STILL NOT SURE?

Frequently Asked Questions

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Question 1: What is a French Drain?

A French drain is a highly effective and discreet system used to manage water drainage in yards and around foundations. It’s ideal for homes in Texas, where heavy rains and expansive clay soil can lead to oversaturation and foundation stress.

Here’s how it works:

A perforated pipe is placed in a sloped trench dug beneath the soil surface.

The pipe is surrounded by gravel or rock to help water filter down.

A water-permeable fabric surrounds the system to block soil and debris from entering the pipe.

As water soaks into the ground, it flows into the pipe and is carried away from the property to a drainage outlet.

French drains are subtle — often covered with sod or decorative gravel — and they prevent standing water, reduce hydrostatic pressure near the foundation, and help keep crawl spaces or basements dry.

Question 2: Can you unclog a French Drain?

Because French drains are buried underground, clogs can be more difficult to detect and fix compared to surface drains. Clogs usually occur due to:

Soil buildup

Root intrusion

Sediment accumulation from unfiltered runoff

Here’s how to address a clog:

Inspect the outlet end of the drain (often near the edge of the yard or street) to check for visible blockages.

Use a drain snake or auger to break up any clogs inside the pipe.

Flush with a hose or pressure washer to help move sediment and debris through the system.

For stubborn or deep clogs, it’s best to contact a professional. At JOS, our team uses advanced tools like video inspections and hydro jetting equipment to locate and safely remove clogs — all without damaging your yard or pipe system. Timely maintenance can restore the drain’s performance and protect your property from water damage.

Question 3: Why are Proper French Drains so important for my foundation?

Your home’s foundation depends on consistent, balanced moisture levels in the soil surrounding it. Without proper drainage or functioning gutters, water can pool around the base of your home, leading to serious structural issues. In areas with expansive clay soil — like much of Texas — the risks are even higher.

Here’s why water management matters:

Excess moisture causes soil to expand, pushing against the foundation and potentially leading to cracks, shifting, or heaving.

Dry conditions cause the soil to shrink, creating voids under the foundation that can lead to settling.

Cycles of wet and dry soil put your foundation under constant stress, weakening its structural integrity over time.

Gutters and drainage systems redirect water away from your foundation, maintaining stable soil conditions and preventing erosion, mold growth and long-term foundation damage.

They are your first line of defense in preserving your home’s stability and value.

Question 4: Will a French drain fix my current foundation problems?

Fixing drainage and gutters is a crucial step in protecting your foundation, but it may not reverse existing structural damage. Instead, it:

Stops the root cause of foundation deterioration (excess water and soil movement)

Prevents further damage from occurring over time

Improves conditions for additional foundation repairs to last longer

If your foundation has already settled, cracked or shifted, you’ll likely need both:

Foundation repair (e.g., piers, leveling, crack sealing)

Drainage and gutter upgrades to prevent recurrence

Get Your Free Estimate Today

Our team values honest and transparent communication, and that extends to our pricing. Contact our experts to get your free estimate today!