Professional French Drain Installation in Tulsa, OK | Edgington Construction
A French drain system is one of the most effective solutions for managing excess groundwater and protecting your property from water damage. At Edgington Construction, we specialize in designing and installing high-performance French drains that redirect water away from foundations, crawl spaces, basements, driveways, and landscaped areas. Serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Bixby, Owasso, Jenks, and surrounding Oklahoma communities, our team evaluates grading, soil conditions, and water flow to create a custom drainage solution built for long-term performance. Whether you’re dealing with pooling water, foundation moisture, or soggy lawns, our professionally installed French drains help prevent erosion, structural damage, and costly repairs while improving overall drainage and property value
What Is a French Drain?
French drains have perforated hollow pipes along the bottom of a trench to quickly vent water that seeps down through the upper gravel or rock, we also wrap the gravel with a filter fabric so your soil doesn't mix with the gravel clogging it up later. French drains are added to landscapes to prevent saturated surfaces and soil. French drains are also used around houses and basements to prevent penetrating or damaging foundations. One advantage of this type is that the drainage pipe is protected from grass and tree roots as well as the soil. We also put french drains behind retaining walls to help relieve pressure when you get a certain height, we call this letting the wall "Breathe".
French Drain vs. Gutter Drain: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference between a French drain and a gutter drain is key to choosing the right drainage solution for your property. A French drain is designed to manage subsurface water, collecting groundwater through a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel and redirecting it away from foundations, yards, and low-lying areas. This type of drainage system is ideal for addressing soggy lawns, foundation moisture, and standing water caused by poor soil drainage
A gutter drain, on the other hand, manages surface water collected from your roof. It connects directly to your gutter downspouts and carries rainwater safely away from your home to prevent erosion, foundation damage, and water pooling near the structure. Gutter drains are especially effective for controlling roof runoff and protecting landscaping and hardscapes.
At Edgington Construction, we evaluate your property’s layout, soil conditions, and drainage challenges to determine whether a French drain, gutter drain, or a combination of both will provide the most effective long-term solution. Our custom drainage systems ensure proper water flow, protect your investment, and keep your property dry and functional year-round.
French Drains for Commercial vs. Residential Properties
While French drains serve the same core purpose—redirecting excess groundwater away from structures—their design and installation vary significantly between commercial and residential properties. For residential applications, French drains are typically used to resolve issues such as soggy yards, basement moisture, foundation protection, and water pooling near driveways or patios. These systems are usually smaller in scale and designed to blend seamlessly into landscaping while providing long-term drainage performance
In contrast, commercial French drain systems are engineered to handle significantly larger volumes of water and more complex drainage challenges. Commercial properties often require deeper trenches, higher-capacity piping, reinforced materials, and integration with parking lots, loading areas, retention systems, or municipal drainage infrastructure. These systems must also comply with local codes and stormwater management regulations while protecting building foundations, paved surfaces, and high-traffic areas.
At Edgington Construction, we design and install custom French drain solutions for both residential and commercial properties across Tulsa and surrounding areas. Whether you need to protect a home from water intrusion or manage runoff for a large commercial site, our team ensures your drainage system is properly engineered, durable, and built for long-term performance.
