French drains
Subsurface systems that redirect water away from foundations, patios, and saturated areas.
Drainage solutions · Sonoma County
Give winter water a better path.
A drainage solution should protect structures and planting while feeling like a considered part of the landscape.
Signs the site needs attention
- Standing water after rain
- Pooling near foundations
- Soggy lawns and planting beds
- Slope erosion or flooded paving
The work
Diagnose first. Then solve the whole problem.
Surface drains & catch basins
Collection points positioned to intercept runoff before it causes damage.
Grading & resloping
Corrections to landform so water moves away from structures and vulnerable spaces.
Dry creek beds & rain gardens
Functional water management expressed as a natural and planted landscape feature.
A closer look
Trace the source and the destination
A drain only helps when it intercepts the right water and has an appropriate destination. Review roof runoff, adjoining surfaces, slopes, and low points together. Photographs taken during and after rain help show the direction of flow and how long water remains. Do not assume a dry-weather inspection reveals the full pattern.
Choose a response to the actual conditions
Surface runoff, saturated soil, and irrigation leaks are different problems. A catch basin may intercept water on paving; subsurface drainage may address another condition. Grading, planting, or several measures together may be more appropriate than adding one pipe. The design needs to account for maintenance access as well as installation.
Coordinate with the rest of the property
Drainage work can affect paths, trees, utilities, retaining features, and neighboring land. Discuss those relationships before construction, and identify where engineering or approval is required. A proposal should make the intended collection and discharge points clear rather than leaving the destination of water unresolved.
Keep the system serviceable
Leaves, sediment, and plant growth can obstruct drainage components. Ask which parts need inspection and cleaning and how they can be reached once planting is mature. Keep a record of the installed routes. After a significant rain, observations can help determine whether further adjustment is needed.
We begin with the site: topography, soils, hardscape, existing flow, and where the water is coming from. The right answer may combine several measures rather than rely on one drain.
