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French Drains & Yard Drains

Get a free on-site estimate today and let's design a drainage system that's built to last.

French drain installation in a residential yard to redirect standing water

French Drains & Yard Drains

French drains intercept subsurface water before it reaches your foundation, while yard drains collect surface water from low spots, swales, and problem areas. We install perforated pipe in gravel-filled trenches with proper slope and filter fabric — built to move water underground and discharge it safely away from your home. Ideal for yards with persistent soggy spots, water pooling against the house, or saturated soil near the slab.

Redirect Water Underground — Before It Reaches Your Foundation

Roof fascia and soffit with sunlight showing proper ventilation on a Texas home

When water collects in your yard after every rain — pooling against the house, saturating flower beds, or turning walkways into mud — the problem is almost always below the surface. French drains and yard drains intercept that water underground and move it away from your home through a concealed pipe system buried beneath your landscaping.

At Duck Works Aqua Management Solutions, we design and install subsurface drainage systems built specifically for Texas soil conditions. Every installation starts with a free on-site drainage assessment where we evaluate your property’s grading, soil type, and water flow patterns — then design a system that solves the problem permanently, not just temporarily.

Roof fascia and soffit with sunlight showing proper ventilation on a Texas home

What Is a French Drain — and How Does It Work?

A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe that collects subsurface water and redirects it away from your home. The gravel acts as a filter, allowing water to seep in from the surrounding soil while the perforated pipe carries it downhill to a designated discharge point — typically at the edge of your property or into a pop-up emitter.

Professional seamless gutter installation by Duck Works in Texas
Professional seamless gutter installation by Duck Works in Texas

Yard drains (also called area drains or surface drains) work similarly but are designed to collect standing surface water from specific low spots, swales, or flat areas where water visibly pools. They use a grated inlet at the surface connected to a buried solid pipe that carries water to a safe discharge point.

How They Differ:

Most properties with serious drainage issues need a combination of both, and that’s exactly what we assess during your free evaluation.

Signs You Need a French Drain or Yard Drain

Aerial view of a residential roof replacement in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas
Aerial view of a residential roof replacement in Dallas-Fort Worth Texas

Don’t wait for foundation damage. Most drainage problems get worse over time as Texas clay soil compacts and shifts. A drainage fix now is a fraction of the cost of a foundation repair later.

Our Process

How We Install French Drains & Yard Drains

01

Free On-Site Drainage Assessment

We walk your property, identify where water enters and collects, evaluate the soil type and lot grading, and determine the best discharge point. We'll also check your gutter downspouts — because if roof water isn't being managed properly, no amount of yard drainage will keep up.

02

Custom Drainage Design

Based on the assessment, we design a system layout showing trench locations, pipe routing, inlet placements, and discharge points. We'll explain exactly what we're recommending, why, and what it will cost — no surprises.

03

Trenching & Pipe Installation

We excavate trenches at the proper depth and slope (minimum 1% grade for reliable flow), line them with filter fabric to prevent soil migration, lay perforated pipe (for French drains) or solid pipe (for yard drain connections), and backfill with washed drainage gravel.

04

Surface Restoration & Grading

After the pipe system is in, we backfill the remaining trench with topsoil, restore sod or landscaping, and verify that surface grading directs water toward the new drain inlets — not away from them.

05

System Testing & Walkthrough

We flush the entire system with water to confirm flow, check every connection and discharge point, and walk you through the finished installation so you know exactly how it works and how to maintain it.

Why Homeowners Trust Duck Works for Drainage

Craftsmanship That Lasts

We’re not just a drainage company. We understand the full water management chain from your roof to your property line, which means we catch problems that single-trade contractors miss.

Honest, Upfront Communication

We design for the expansive clay soils that dominate the I-35 corridor. Generic drainage solutions from out-of-state contractors often fail because they don’t account for how Texas clay behaves.

Protecting the Home First

We use commercial-grade perforated pipe, washed gravel (not recycled concrete), filter fabric on every French drain, and solid PVC for all discharge lines. No shortcuts.

Ownership & Accountability

Every system we install includes clean-out access points so the system can be flushed and maintained for years to come.

Respect for Your Home & Time

We’ll tell you what you need, what you don’t, and what it costs before any work begins. No pressure, no upselling.

FAQs

French Drains & Yard Drains

  • How much does a French drain cost?

    Cost varies based on the length of the trench, depth of excavation, soil conditions, and discharge method. Every property is different, which is why we provide a detailed written estimate after your free on-site assessment — no ballpark guessing over the phone.

  • How long does a French drain last?

    A properly installed French drain with filter fabric and quality gravel should last 15–25 years or more. The most common cause of premature failure is improper installation — no filter fabric (allowing soil to clog the gravel), wrong pipe type, or insufficient slope.

  • Will a French drain fix standing water in my yard?

    It depends on the source. If the standing water is caused by subsurface saturation (the soil stays wet even when the surface looks dry), a French drain is the right fix. If you have visible surface pooling in specific low spots, you may need yard drains, regrading, or a combination approach. We'll diagnose the root cause during your assessment.

  • Do you need a permit for a French drain in Texas?

    In most Texas municipalities, residential French drains do not require a permit as long as the discharge stays on your property or connects to an approved drainage easement. We'll check your local requirements during the assessment and handle any permitting if needed.

  • Can you install a French drain without tearing up my whole yard?

    Yes. We plan trench routes to minimize disruption to existing landscaping, and we restore sod and topsoil after every installation. Most residential French drain jobs are completed in 1–2 days.

Stop Water Damage Before It Starts
Schedule a free on-site drainage assessment. We'll identify the problem, design a solution, and give you a clear price — no obligation.

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    Duck Works was founded on a simple commitment:
    treat every home like it’s our own.

    We provide premium roofing and seamless gutter services with a focus on durability, clean installation, and clear communication. Whether your project is big or small, we approach it with pride, respect, and craftsmanship you can rely on.

    “Quality work. Dependable service. Honest guidance.”

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