Expert French Drain Installation

Why You Need a French Drain in Boise

In Boise and the surrounding Treasure Valley, three distinct factors combine to create a "perfect storm" for foundation water damage:

• The Clay Layer: Hardpan clay prevents deep soaking, pushing water horizontally toward your foundation.
• Flood Irrigation: Canal water raises the water table for 6 months a year, creating hydrostatic pressure.
• Foothills Runoff: "Slope creep" and subsurface flow can destabilize foundations if not intercepted.

How Our System Works

We don't believe in "band-aid" solutions. Here is our rigorous 5-step process:

1. Inspection & Laser Grading: Identifying the water source and ensuring a 1% gravity slope.
2. Strategic Excavation: Digging 18-24" trenches while protecting your landscaping.
3. The "Burrito Wrap": Lining the trench with heavy-duty geotextile fabric to block silt—crucial for Boise soil.
4. Pipe & Rock: Installing rigid PVC (not crushable corrugated pipe) and washed drain rock.
5. Restoration: Re-sodding or xeriscaping so your yard looks untouched.

Why Professional Installation Matters

DIY drains often fail due to wrong slope, poor materials (flexible pipe), or lack of filtration fabric. We offer a 5-Year Transferable Warranty because we build it right the first time.

French Drains vs Surface Drains

French drains manage subsurface water. Surface drains manage runoff on top of hardscape and landscape. Many Boise properties need both to fully control water movement.

• French drains: intercept groundwater and shallow subsurface flow.
• Surface drains: capture visible sheet flow at patios, driveways, and low points.
• Combined systems: best for lots with both ponding and foundation-adjacent saturation.

See related pages: channel drains and catch basin installation.

Cost, Timeline, and Maintenance

Cost depends on trench length, depth, disposal, restoration scope, and discharge complexity. Most residential projects are completed in one to three days. We recommend annual inlet and outlet checks before spring runoff to keep system performance consistent.