Wet yards · Pooling water · Soggy lawns
French Drain Installation in Hamilton
Water sitting on the lawn for days, or running back toward the house? We find out where it's coming from, install a French drain that carries it away, then re-sod the trench so the only thing you notice is a dry yard.
Serving Hamilton, Burlington, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown & nearby towns
- WSIB-covered crew
- Fully insured
- Sod guarantee
- Fresh-cut from local farms
Where Yard Water Problems Start
Most wet yards around Hamilton come down to a few causes, often working together:
- Clay that won't drain. Heavy clay soils let water through slowly, so rain sits on top instead of soaking in.
- A flat or backward grade. Over the years yards settle, and ground that once sloped away from the house ends up level, or worse, tipped toward it.
- Downspouts dumping onto the lawn. A whole roof's worth of rain landing in one spot.
- Runoff from higher ground. Water from a neighbour's yard, a slope above you or the escarpment has to go somewhere, and too often that's your lawn.
A French drain intercepts that water underground and moves it somewhere it can drain safely. Done properly, it's one of the most effective fixes for a soggy yard. Done badly, with no fabric, no fall or nowhere for the water to go, it clogs or just moves the puddle.
What's included
What a French Drain Is and What We Install
Drainage Assessment
Before digging, we work out where the water is coming from and where it can go. Sometimes regrading alone solves it, and we'll tell you if so.
Trench and Pipe
A trench dug along the planned route at a steady fall, so water keeps moving instead of sitting in the pipe.
Stone and Filter Fabric
Clean stone around the pipe gives water an easy path in. Fabric keeps fine soil from silting it up over time.
A Proper Outlet
Water has to discharge somewhere safe and lawful: a lower part of your property, a dry well or another suitable outlet. Never onto a neighbour's yard.
Re-Sodding the Trench
When the drain is in, we backfill, restore the grade and lay fresh sod over the trench line, so you're left with a lawn, not a scar.
Our process
How We Install a French Drain
Assess and Plan the Route
We watch where water collects, check the grade and pick a route and outlet that will actually work.
Utility Locates
Before any digging, we request underground utility locates through Ontario One Call. Let us know about private lines too, such as irrigation, lighting or pet fences, since locates don't cover them.
Dig the Trench
Dug to depth with a consistent fall toward the outlet.
Pipe, Stone and Fabric
Stone bed, perforated pipe and more stone, with filter fabric to keep soil out.
Backfill and Re-Sod
Soil back in, grade restored and fresh sod laid over the trench line.
SEE OUR WORK
Recent Sod Installation by Right On Sod Hamilton
Finished lawns from recent Right On Sod jobs in Hamilton. Every photo is our own work, not stock photography.
Common Causes of a Soggy Yard
Clay Soil That Won't Drain
Rain soaks in so slowly that the surface stays saturated for days after a storm.
A Yard That Slopes Toward the House
Settled soil or a poor original grade sends water to the foundation instead of away from it.
Downspouts Dumping on the Lawn
Concentrated roof runoff floods the same patch every time it rains.
Runoff from Next Door or Uphill
Neighbouring yards, slopes and higher ground drain onto yours.
Low Spots After Construction
Backfilled trenches, removed pools and filled-in gardens settle over time and form bowls that hold water.
A Lawn Over Hardpan
Compacted layers a few inches down stop water from soaking deeper, even where the surface looks fine.
Signs You Need Yard Drainage
- Puddles that are still there 24 hours or more after rain
- Water pooling against the foundation or seeping into the basement
- Strips of dead grass, moss or mushrooms in the same wet areas
- Spots that are too soggy to mow
- Mulch, soil or stone washing out of beds after storms
- Mosquitoes hanging around standing water
Water Pooling Right Now?
Snap a photo the next time it rains and send it with your quote request. It helps us diagnose the problem before we arrive.
Get a Free Instant QuoteWhy Right On Sod
French Drain or Regrading? We'll Tell You Straight
We Diagnose Before We Dig
You get a drain where the water actually is, with an outlet that actually works.
Built to Last
Fabric, clean stone and a proper fall keep the drain running for years instead of silting up.
Your Lawn Comes Back
We're a sod company. The trench gets fresh sod, not a strip of bare dirt.
Insured and WSIB-Covered
Digging near foundations and utilities calls for a properly insured crew. Certificates are available on request.
What it costs
French drains run $50–$70 per linear foot (about $164–$230 per metre) subject to 13% HST, with a $1,500 minimum. A 60 ft drain typically comes to $3,000–$4,200 before tax. See full pricing →
Service area
Yard Drainage Near You
We install French drains across Hamilton and in Burlington, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Waterdown & Flamborough, Grimsby, Dundas, Binbrook & Glanbrook and Caledonia. (Area links rendered by the template.)
French Drain FAQ
How do I know if I need a French drain or regrading?
Watch where the water goes when it rains. If it runs across the surface toward the house or into a low spot, regrading is often enough. If the ground stays saturated even where it slopes properly, or water comes from a neighbour's yard or a slope above you, a French drain is usually the answer. We'll confirm on site.
What are the downsides of a French drain?
It means digging a trench through the yard (which we re-sod), it needs somewhere legal and safe to discharge, and a poorly built drain can clog with silt over the years. A drain also won't fix a yard that slopes toward the house on its own, so sometimes regrading has to come first.
Do French drains need maintenance?
Very little when they're built with filter fabric and clean stone. Keep the outlet clear of leaves and debris, and don't plant trees with aggressive roots right on top of the line.
Where does the water go?
To the outlet we design for your property: a lower area of the yard, a dry well or another suitable discharge point. It must never be directed onto a neighbour's property.
Will you dig up my lawn?
Along the drain's route, yes, but only a narrow trench. When the drain is in, we backfill, restore the grade and lay fresh sod over the line, so the yard comes back finished.
Water Pooling Now? Book a Drainage Inspection
Get a French drain price range in seconds, or call (289) 309-1493 and we'll come take a look.