French Drain Installation in Orange County, CA
When rain lingers as puddles—or pressure pushes moisture toward your foundation—you need a designed drainage system, not another bag of dirt. White Glove Plumbing & Restoration installs French drains that intercept and convey water through a geotextile-wrapped stone trench with perforated pipe, sloped to a safe outfall (daylight, pop-up emitter, dry well, or sump tie-in)—with clean restoration and documentation.
✓ Laser-set slopes: Designed grades for reliable flow
✓ Correct build-up: Washed angular stone + non-woven geotextile (no silt clogging)
✓ Durable pipe choices: Perforated PVC/SDR or socked HDPE per site conditions
✓ Compliant outfalls: Daylight, dry well, or pump—aligned with local stormwater rules
✓ Laser-set slopes
✓ Correct build-up
✓ Durable pipe choices
✓ Compliant outfalls
What Is French Drain Installation?
A subsurface interception trench: we excavate along the problem line, lay non-woven geotextile, add a washed stone bed, set perforated pipe (holes oriented per spec), surround with stone, wrap the fabric, and slope to an approved outfall (daylight/pop-up/dry well/sump).
We keep roof water in solid pipe until after the stone field to prevent re-saturation, then commission with a flow test.
Why Choose White Glove Plumbing
Compliance & safety first: 811 utility locates, erosion controls, and discharge routing that follows local BMPs.
Defensible documentation: Grade/laser notes, photos, and as-built sketches with outfall locations.
Beyond a ditch: We integrate downspouts/catch basins, add cleanouts, and restore sod/hardscape neatly.
One accountable team: If groundwater pushes indoors, we can add sump systems, interior drains, or sanitize affected spaces.
Immediate Actions (What to Do Now)
Photograph pooling areas during/after rain (great design clues).
Extend downspouts temporarily with hoses; keep water 6–10 ft from the foundation.
Avoid piling soil against walls—you can trap moisture and invite termites.
Keep pathways clear where trenching may occur.
Call our 24/7 dispatcher—we’ll survey elevations, map flows, and propose a drainage plan.
Common Situations We Handle
Soggy lawn or planting beds that stay wet days after storms
Moisture at foundation: damp walls, crawlspace humidity, or slab edge seepage
Low spots at fence lines/side yards catching neighbor runoff
Ponding along driveways/patios or against retaining walls
Grade trapped by hardscape after remodels or additions
New plantings failing from saturated soils
Survey, Locates & Design
Laser/elevation checks to map flows; 811 utility locates; size the trench, select pipe (perforated PVC/SDR or socked HDPE), set target slope (~1%), and choose a legal outfall with cleanout locations.
Permits, Protection & BMPs
Pull required permits (e.g., curb/ROW); set erosion controls; protect landscaping/hardscape and clearly mark work areas.
Excavate & Bed the Trench
Cut a narrow trench to design depth; line with non-woven geotextile; place a bed of washed #57 angular stone.
Install Pipe & Stone Envelope
Lay perforated pipe with correct hole orientation; surround with washed stone to spec; keep roof leaders in solid pipe until past the stone field.
Terminate to Approved Outfall
Discharge to daylight (pop-up emitter), dry well, or sump tie-in when gravity won’t work—per local stormwater rules.
Wrap, Backfill, Restore & Commission
Wrap fabric over stone, backfill, and restore sod/gravels; install cleanouts/flush ports; hose-flow test; deliver photos/as-builts and maintenance guidance.
What’s Included
Elevation survey & 811 utility locate
Geotextile-wrapped stone trench with perforated pipe
Downspout/catch basin tie-ins (solid pipe to stone field)
Code-compliant outfall (daylight/pop-up/dry well/sump tie-in)
Cleanouts/flush ports and hose-flow commissioning
Documentation packet (photos, grades, as-built sketch, care tips)
Costs & Timelines (What to Expect)
Typical duration: Small runs finish same day to 1–2 days; multi-zone systems or hardscape restoration may be phased.
Cost drivers: Total linear footage/depth, access, soil type, restoration (sod/pavers/concrete), dry well size, and pump needs.
Clear estimate: Line items for design, trenching, materials, outfall, restoration, and reporting—no surprises.
Insurance & Compliance Support
Records your stakeholders expect: Before/after photos, route map, and outfall details.
Policy alignment: We follow stormwater BMPs and HOA/municipal guidelines; COIs available.
Neighbor drainage: We route flows lawfully—not onto adjacent properties or sidewalks.
Risks of Waiting (Why Act Now)
Foundation stress & interior moisture from ongoing hydrostatic pressure
Mold/odor in crawlspaces and finished basements
Landscape failure and pest activity in wet beds
Heaving/icing hazards where puddles persist in winter
Methods, Materials & Quality Standards
PPE & site care: Lawn/plant protection, debris control, tidy cleanup.
Materials: Non-woven geotextile, washed #57 angular stone, perforated PVC/SDR or socked HDPE, solid PVC/HDPE leaders, pop-up emitters/dry wells.
Best practices: Laser-verified slope, separate roof water until beyond drain field, cleanouts, and erosion control.
Testing: Hose-flow verification and visual checks at emitters/outfalls.
Training: Drainage design, BMP compliance, and finish-aware restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the water discharge?
To daylight via pop-up emitter, a dry well, or a sump tie-in if gravity won’t work—always per local stormwater rules.
How wide/deep is the trench?
Commonly 8–18″ wide and 12–24″+ deep, sized to soil, grade, and flow. We design to your site.
Will it clog over time?
We use washed stone + non-woven geotextile and provide cleanouts for flushing. Good leaf control at downspouts helps, too.
Can you tie in all my gutters?
Yes—in solid pipe to keep roof water from re-saturating the trench; we disconnect solid from perforated at the correct point.
What if my lot is flat?
We can step the trench or terminate to a dry well or pump to reach a legal outfall.
Will my lawn look torn up?
We protect turf, cut narrow trenches, and restore with sod/seed or gravel. Most lawns recover quickly.
More White Glove Plumbing Water Drainage Services
Proudly Serving All of Orange County
Address: 1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phone: (949) 209-5206
Email: office@whitegloveplumbingca.com
White Glove Plumbing is locally based in Santa Ana and serves residential and commercial clients across Orange County with 24/7 emergency plumbing and water-damage restoration.
Our expert team handles leak detection, emergency plumbing, water extraction/dry-out, sewage cleanup, mold remediation, and reconstruction in top OC areas including Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, Fullerton, Yorba Linda, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, and San Clemente - plus surrounding neighborhoods.
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CALL (949) 209-5206
1430 E Borchard Ave, Santa Ana, CA 92705