French Drains
Water in the wrong place causes expensive problems. Flooded basements, cracked foundations, soggy yards—all of these can be prevented with proper drainage. At Tommy's Concrete, we install French drains that move water away from your home and keep it there.
Call (913) 927-9791 for a free estimate. Thomas, the owner, will assess your drainage situation personally.
A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and a perforated pipe. Water seeps into the gravel, enters the pipe through the perforations, and flows away from your house. It's a simple concept that works extremely well when installed correctly.
The key is proper installation. The trench needs the right depth and slope. The pipe needs to drain somewhere appropriate. The gravel needs to be the right size. Get any of these wrong and the drain won't work.
We start by assessing where the water is coming from and where it needs to go. Every property is different. Some need a simple linear drain along the foundation. Others need a more complex system with multiple branches.
The trench gets dug to the proper depth—typically 18-24 inches—with a consistent slope of at least 1% toward the outlet. We line it with landscape fabric to keep soil from clogging the gravel, lay the perforated pipe, and backfill with drainage gravel.
Cheap French drains fail. The pipe crushes, the fabric deteriorates, the gravel clogs. We use heavy-duty perforated pipe, quality landscape fabric, and properly sized drainage stone. A French drain should last decades, not years.
French drains often go hand-in-hand with concrete projects. When we pour a new patio, driveway, or foundation, we can install drainage at the same time. It's more efficient and ensures everything works together properly.
If you're having water issues with existing concrete, we can help with that too. Sometimes the solution is a French drain. Sometimes it's regrading. Sometimes it's both. We'll give you an honest assessment.
Foundation damage from water is one of the most expensive repairs a homeowner can face. French drains are relatively inexpensive insurance against that risk. The cost of a proper drainage system is a fraction of what foundation repairs cost.
Tommy's Concrete has been solving drainage problems in Kansas City for over 50 years. We understand the local soil conditions and how water moves through different areas of the metro. That experience matters when designing drainage solutions.
We serve the entire Kansas City area including Overland Park, Olathe, Lenexa, Lee's Summit, Independence, and surrounding communities.
We’d love to hear about your project. Reach out for estimates, design guidance, or any concrete-related questions. Our experts are ready to help you build strong.
