French Drain & Gutter Drain Installation in Palm Beach County, Florida

Name: Thum Co.
Price range: $$

Professional French drain and gutter drain installation throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas. Thum Co. Contractors installs subsurface drainage systems, French drains, gutter drainage, and foundation drainage to manage groundwater and surface water that causes yard flooding, foundation problems, and landscape erosion.

Our drainage installation team serves West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, and surrounding areas. We install drainage systems that solve chronic water problems throughout South Florida’s high water table environment.

Call (561) 366-2050 for a free drainage installation estimate in Palm Beach County.

Drainage Systems We Install

French Drain Installation

Subsurface drainage systems that collect and redirect groundwater away from problem areas. French drains consist of perforated pipe surrounded by gravel, installed in trenches that intercept groundwater before it surfaces or reaches structures.

French drains solve persistent wet areas in yards, prevent water from pooling around foundations, and manage high water table issues common throughout Palm Beach County. The gravel-surrounded pipe allows groundwater to enter the drainage system and flow to discharge areas via gravity.

We install French drains at proper depths and slopes, use appropriate pipe and gravel specifications, and ensure systems discharge to suitable locations—swales, retention areas, or connections to existing drainage infrastructure.

Gutter Drainage Systems

Underground drainage connected to roof gutters and downspouts. Rather than dumping water next to foundations, gutter drains carry roof runoff through underground pipes to discharge areas away from structures.

Palm Beach County receives 60+ inches of annual rainfall. Without proper gutter drainage, this water saturates soil near foundations, causes erosion, and creates flooding near homes and buildings. Gutter drains eliminate these problems by managing roof runoff properly.

We install buried gutter drainage using solid PVC pipe (not perforated like French drains), with catch basins or pop-up emitters at downspouts and appropriate discharge methods at pipe termination.

Foundation Drainage

Drainage systems installed around building perimeters to prevent water accumulation against foundations. Foundation drains intercept groundwater before it reaches foundation walls, reducing hydrostatic pressure and preventing water intrusion into structures.

Foundation drainage is critical in South Florida where high water tables and heavy rainfall create constant pressure against below-grade structures. We install foundation drains during new construction or retrofit them around existing buildings experiencing water problems.

Yard and Landscape Drainage

Shallow drainage systems that manage surface water in landscaped areas. These systems collect water from low spots, saturated areas, or locations where surface water accumulates and redirect it to appropriate discharge areas.

Yard drainage improves usability, prevents landscape damage from standing water, and eliminates mosquito breeding areas throughout residential properties in Palm Beach County.

Common Drainage Problems We Solve

Standing Water in Yards Water pooling after rain creates unusable yard areas, kills grass and landscaping, and breeds mosquitoes. French drains installed in low areas intercept groundwater and surface water before it accumulates.

Foundation Water Issues Water collecting against foundations eventually penetrates into structures. Foundation drains intercept groundwater and gutter drains manage roof runoff, keeping water away from foundation walls throughout Palm Beach County properties.

Soggy Areas Near Downspouts Gutters dumping water directly next to houses saturate soil, damage foundations, and create constantly wet areas. Underground gutter drains carry this water to proper discharge locations away from structures.

High Water Table Problems Palm Beach County’s naturally high water table creates persistently wet soil conditions. French drains lower effective water table in problem areas by providing drainage pathways for groundwater.

Erosion from Uncontrolled Water Flow Surface water running across properties erodes soil, washes away mulch, and damages landscaping. Drainage systems intercept and control water flow, preventing erosion throughout South Florida properties.

French Drain vs. Gutter Drain – Key Differences

French Drains:

Perforated pipe allows water to enter along entire length
Surrounded by gravel for filtration and water collection
Manages groundwater and subsurface water
Typically 18-36 inches deep
Requires proper slope for drainage

Gutter Drains:

Solid pipe (no perforations) carries water
No gravel surround needed
Manages surface water from roof runoff only
Shallower installation (12-24 inches typical)
Connects gutters to discharge locations

Both systems solve different problems and often work together—French drains managing groundwater while gutter drains handle roof runoff.

The Drainage Installation Process

1. Site Assessment and Design We evaluate drainage problems, identify water sources, determine appropriate system types, plan drainage routes, and locate suitable discharge areas. Proper assessment ensures drainage systems solve problems effectively.

2. Trench Excavation Using excavators or trenchers, we dig trenches to proper depths and slopes. Trench routes follow planned drainage paths from collection areas to discharge locations.

3. Pipe and Material Installation We place drainage pipe at proper grades (minimum 1% slope), surround French drains with clean gravel, and ensure proper filtration to prevent soil infiltration into pipes.

4. Connections and Discharge Gutter drains connect to downspouts using catch basins or direct connections. All drainage systems discharge to appropriate locations—pop-up emitters, connection to existing storm systems, or drainage swales.

5. Backfill and Restoration We backfill trenches properly, compact fill material, and restore surface conditions. Grass areas get regraded for sod installation, and landscaped areas are prepared for replanting.

Discharge Methods and Outlets

Pop-Up Emitters Surface grates that allow drainage water to discharge onto ground surface. Pop-ups work well for gutter drains discharging to yard areas or swales where surface water flow is acceptable.

Daylight Outlets Pipe terminations that discharge to swales, drainage ditches, or low areas. Daylight outlets work when suitable discharge areas exist at lower elevations than drainage collection points.

Connection to Storm Systems Where permitted, drainage systems can connect to existing storm drain infrastructure, dry wells, or retention systems. We coordinate connections following local regulations throughout Palm Beach County.

Retention/Infiltration In some cases, drainage discharges to underground infiltration systems or retention areas designed for water storage and gradual absorption.

Materials and Specifications

Pipe Types:

Perforated PVC pipe for French drains (4-6 inch diameter typical)
Solid PVC pipe for gutter drains (4 inch diameter standard)
HDPE pipe options for specific applications

Gravel: Clean washed stone (typically ¾ inch) surrounds French drain pipe, providing filtration and water collection capacity.

Filter Fabric: Geotextile fabric wraps French drain gravel preventing soil infiltration that clogs systems over time.

Fittings and Connections: Proper fittings, clean-outs, and connections ensure long-term system functionality and allow future maintenance access.

Maintenance and Longevity

Properly installed drainage systems function for decades with minimal maintenance. French drains protected by filter fabric resist clogging. Gutter drains require keeping gutters clean to prevent sediment entering pipes.

We install clean-outs at strategic locations allowing future access for maintenance if needed. Most residential drainage systems in Palm Beach County require little maintenance when installed correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does French drain installation cost? French drain costs vary based on trench length, depth, and site conditions. Residential installations typically range $25-$50 per linear foot. Gutter drain installation ranges $15-$30 per linear foot. Contact us at (561) 366-2050 for a specific quote based on your property.

How deep are French drains installed? Most residential French drains install 18-30 inches deep. Depth depends on the problem being solved—deeper drains intercept groundwater more effectively but cost more to install. We recommend appropriate depths based on site conditions.

Can you install drainage in existing landscaping? Yes, we install drainage systems in established yards. We route trenches to minimize landscape impact, work carefully around existing plants, and restore areas after installation. Some landscape disturbance is unavoidable but we minimize damage.

Where does drainage water go? Drainage discharges to appropriate locations based on site conditions—swales, retention areas, existing storm systems (where permitted), or surface discharge via pop-up emitters. We ensure discharge locations handle water properly without creating problems.

How long does drainage installation take? Most residential French drain or gutter drain installations take 1-2 days. Larger systems or difficult site conditions may take longer. Timeline depends on trench length and complexity.

Will French drains work with Palm Beach County’s high water table? French drains are particularly effective in high water table conditions. They provide drainage pathways allowing groundwater to flow rather than saturating soil. While they can’t lower water table significantly, they prevent water accumulation in specific problem areas.

Do I need permits for drainage installation? Most residential drainage installations don’t require permits. Projects connecting to existing storm systems, working in easements, or involving major site alterations may need approval. We advise based on project scope and location.

Can you connect drainage to existing systems? Yes, we connect new drainage to existing French drains, storm systems, or drainage infrastructure when appropriate and permitted. This maximizes system effectiveness and provides proper discharge.

Drainage projects often involve additional work:

Excavation & Site Work – Site grading and preparation
Storm Drain Installation – Larger stormwater systems
Concrete Construction – Drainage structures

Get Your Drainage Installation Estimate

Ready to solve drainage problems in Palm Beach County? Contact Thum Co. Contractors for professional French drain and gutter drain installation.

Call (561) 366-2050 for drainage installation services.

Thum Co. Contractors 468 Tall Pines Rd. West Palm Beach, FL 33415

Licensed building contractors providing French drain and gutter drain installation throughout Palm Beach County and surrounding South Florida areas since 2017.