Orlando French Drain
- Thousands of satisfied customers
- Local and family owned
- 15+ years in business
- Licensed and insured
- Always FREE Quotes
Trusted & Local French Drains in Winter Park, FL
For 15+ years, Orlando French Drain has helped Winter Park homeowners fix soggy yards, pooling along foundations, and flooded driveways. We’re a local, family‑owned, licensed and insured drainage contractor. Our systems use #57 washed stone, non‑woven geotextile, and PVC or HDPE pipe sized and sloped correctly for Central Florida storms.
From Orwin Manor to Winter Park Pines, we design and install solutions that work with Florida’s sandy soils and high water table. Need fast help before the next storm? We offer quick estimates, clean installs, and HOA‑friendly plans. If you’ve searched for “French Drains Winter Park FL,” you’re in the right place. Call us today for a free, no‑pressure estimate.
Yard Drainage & French Drain Installation in Winter Park
We focus on reliable water management that protects your home and landscape. Every project is built to last using proven materials, precise elevations, and code‑compliant outfalls.
French Drain Installation
Standing water and muddy side yards are common in Winter Park’s flat grades. We install subsurface drains with a true 1–2% slope to an approved outlet, using perforated 4–6 in SDR‑35 PVC or corrugated HDPE, wrapped in non‑woven geotextile and backfilled with washed #57 stone. Our crews set elevations with a rotary laser/pipe laser, add cleanouts for maintenance, and separate roof runoff to prevent overload. We call Sunshine 811 before trenching and stabilize outfalls to prevent erosion.
Learn more about our French Drain Installation services.
Yard Drainage Solutions
If water collects near patios, pool decks, or low spots, we combine surface drains, swales, and minor regrading to move water safely. We use string line and laser levels to establish positive flow, install catch basins where needed, and tie solid conveyance lines to legal discharge points. Our HOA‑friendly plans minimize turf disturbance and protect established landscaping. You’ll see improved lawn health, fewer mosquitoes, and a cleaner, drier yard after summer downpours.
Learn more about our Yard Drainage Solutions services.
Sump Pump Installation
On lake‑adjacent or no‑slope lots, gravity outfalls aren’t always possible. We design sump‑and‑pump systems with properly sized basins, check valves, and dedicated discharge lines. Pumps are selected using Central Florida rainfall data and contributing area, with options for high‑water alarms and battery backup. We also add backwater devices where appropriate and provide as‑built elevations for review. The result is dependable drainage performance during those intense 30–60 minute thunderstorms.
Learn more about our Sump Pump Installation services.
Channel Drain Installation
Driveway and patio flooding can damage pavers and creep toward garages and entries. We install channel/trench drains with durable grates, set to laser‑verified elevations, and tie them into solid conveyance or a dry well where appropriate. We use NDS components, concrete haunching, and proper expansion joints to prevent settlement. This keeps vehicles, walkways, and pool decks safe while moving stormwater away from structures.
Learn more about our Channel Drain Installation services.
Downspout Drainage Extensions
Roof runoff can overwhelm a yard if it’s not managed separately. We install code‑compliant downspout extensions with solid PVC lines, cleanouts, and pop‑up emitters or approved tie‑ins - never to sanitary. We set minimum cover, avoid tree roots, and add erosion control at outlets. Keeping roof water on its own line protects French drains, reduces clogging, and helps your lawn recover faster after storms.
Learn more about our Downspout Drainage Extensions services.
Other Services We Offer
- French Drain Installation
- Yard Drainage Solutions
- Foundation Drainage Systems
- Exterior Drainage System Installation
- Channel Drain Installation
- Trench Drain Installation
- Sump Pump Installation
- Catch Basin Installation
- Downspout Drainage Extensions
- Surface Drain Installation
- Basement Waterproofing
- Crawl Space Drainage Systems
- Landscape Drainage Systems
- Retaining Wall Drainage Systems
- Pool Deck Drainage Installation
- Stormwater Drainage Solutions
- Flood Prevention Systems
- Yard Grading & Drainage Correction
- Dry Well Installation
- Drain Tile Installation
- Underground Drainage Pipe Installation
- Erosion Control Solutions
- Water Diversion Systems
- Commercial Drainage Solutions
Why Choose Orlando French Drain for French Drains in Winter Park, FL
We’ve designed and installed thousands of drainage systems across Central Florida since 2010. At Orlando French Drain, our team pairs engineering‑level layout with meticulous workmanship, so your yard drains right the first time. If you’re comparing contractors for “French Drains Winter Park FL,” count on us for transparent recommendations, clean job sites, and guaranteed performance.
Engineered Design and Certified Expertise
Every system starts with measurements, not guesses. We shoot elevations with an automatic level or pipe laser, calculate 1–2% slopes, and size components using NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall data for Central Florida storms. Where needed, we coordinate permit‑ready as‑builts and elevation shots to support City review.
Our team includes NDS Professional Drainage Contractor training, FNGLA Certified Horticulture Professional experience, and Irrigation Association credentials. That mix ensures correct pipe selection (SDR‑35 vs corrugated HDPE), geotextile specs, and plant‑safe layouts. Example: In 2025, we corrected a failing system in Windsong by separating roof runoff and adding cleanouts - ending weekly flooding in one storm event.
Safety, Licensing, and Code Compliance
We call Sunshine 811 and document utility marks before trenching, then follow OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart P for excavation safety. Discharge is always to an approved storm outfall - never sanitary - per local code. When tying into municipal storm systems or working in the right‑of‑way, we coordinate with the City of Winter Park Stormwater Division.
Lake‑adjacent projects may involve SJRWMD considerations and HOA approvals. We handle the details, including erosion control at outfalls (splash blocks or riprap) and clear separation of roof runoff versus French drain lines to keep systems code‑compliant and resilient.
Equipment, Materials, and Workmanship
We use mini‑excavators, trenchers, sod cutters, and plate compactors to work efficiently with minimal disturbance. For verification and maintenance, we offer CCTV camera inspections and hydro‑jetting to keep lines clear. Cleanouts are standard on our French drains.
Materials matter: washed #57 stone (about 3/4 in), non‑woven geotextile with proper AOS/permittivity, NDS EZflow bundles where access is tight, SDR‑35 PVC for durability, check valves and backwater devices for pump lines. We stand behind our installs with a 5‑year workmanship warranty and provide maintenance guidance tailored to Winter Park soils.
Local Knowledge and Responsive Service
We know Winter Park’s unique drainage context - the Chain of Lakes, Howell Branch basin, and the flat grades around Rollins College, Lake Killarney, and Park Avenue. That local insight helps us pick the right outlets, protect shorelines, and design HOA‑friendly solutions for historic areas like Hannibal Square and College Quarter.
Expect fast estimates, clear communication, and on‑time crews. Most residential projects are completed in 1–3 days, with lawn restoration built into the plan. Our goal is simple: dry yards, protected foundations, and long‑term reliability.
Drainage Services Across Greater Orlando and Winter Park, FL
Orlando French Drain proudly serves homeowners and businesses throughout the Greater Orlando & The Central Florida Region. If you’re within about 25–30 miles of Orlando, we’ve likely worked near you - and we’re ready to help fast. Our local crews know the soils, codes, and summer storm patterns that drive smart drainage design.
Serving All Neighborhoods in Winter Park
We regularly work across 32789, 32792, and nearby 32751 (Maitland), including Orwin Manor, Winter Park Pines, Kenilworth Shores, Lake Knowles Terrace, Windsong, Hannibal Square, College Quarter, and the Lake Killarney area. We understand shoreline protections for the Winter Park Chain of Lakes and the challenges around Howell Branch Creek.
Whether you’re off Park Avenue or near Rollins College, count on quick turnarounds and HOA‑ready plans for French drains in Winter Park. We design with Florida’s sandy soils, flat grades, and heavy summer downpours in mind.
Locations We Serve
- Orlando
- Winter Park
- Windermere
- Lake Nona
- College Park
- Baldwin Park
- Dr. Phillips
- Thornton Park
- Conway
- Hunters Creek
- MetroWest
- Avalon Park
- Waterford Lakes
- Oviedo
- Winter Springs
- Casselberry
- Longwood
- Lake Mary
- Sanford
- Altamonte Springs
- Apopka
- Ocoee
- Winter Garden
- Clermont
- Kissimmee
- St. Cloud
- Celebration
- Davenport
- Maitland
- Edgewood
- Belle Isle
- Gotha
- Azalea Park
- Goldenrod
- Union Park
- Horizon West
- Seminole County
- Orange County
- Osceola County
- Lake County
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do French drains fail in Florida?
Common reasons are lack of slope, no legal outlet, the wrong fabric, and mixing roof runoff with the drain. In Winter Park’s sandy soils, we use non‑woven geotextile and washed #57 stone to prevent clogging, establish a true 1–2% fall, and separate downspouts on solid pipe. We add cleanouts for maintenance and stabilize the outlet with riprap or splash blocks. Those details make the difference during intense summer storms.
How much does a French drain cost per linear foot in Winter Park?
Most projects land between $28–$65 per linear foot, depending on depth, access, pipe type (SDR‑35 vs corrugated HDPE), restoration, and whether a sump pump or dry well is needed. Short, shallow runs with easy access are on the low end; deeper or hardscape areas run higher. After a site visit and elevation shots, we’ll provide a fixed, written estimate and a clear scope of work.
Do I need a permit for a French drain or stormwater work in Winter Park?
Gravity drains on private property typically don’t require a permit. Tying into a municipal storm inlet, crossing the right‑of‑way, or discharging near the lakes can trigger City of Winter Park Stormwater Division approvals and, in some cases, SJRWMD considerations. We handle coordination and provide as‑built elevations when required. Discharge is always to approved storm systems - never to sanitary lines.
What slope should my French drain have in Central Florida?
Target 1–2% positive slope whenever possible. We verify elevations with a rotary laser or pipe laser to hold grade across long runs, then discharge to a legal outlet. On very flat lots where gravity won’t work, we design a sump‑and‑pump system with check valves and a dedicated discharge line sized for Central Florida rainfall intensities.
Can I connect roof downspouts to a French drain?
We recommend separate solid conveyance for roof runoff. Combining flows can overload the French drain and cause clogs. We install dedicated downspout lines with cleanouts and pop‑up emitters or approved tie‑ins, keeping them distinct from perforated laterals. Local code also prohibits any stormwater discharge to sanitary sewers. Separation improves performance and simplifies maintenance.
Where can my drainage system legally discharge?
Approved options include daylighting on your property with erosion control, tying to an existing storm inlet (with permission), or discharging to a swale or lake only when authorized. We never connect to sanitary lines. For lakefront properties, we add riprap or splash pads at outfalls to prevent shoreline erosion and coordinate with the City where required.
Do French drains work with Florida’s high water table?
Yes - when designed correctly. In high water table or lake‑adjacent areas, we may use deeper drains with sump‑and‑pump discharge, check valves, and backwater devices. We size basins and pumps to local rainfall intensities and contributing area, then route flows to a legal outlet. Proper fabric, #57 stone, and cleanouts reduce clogging so systems keep working through summer storms.
How deep should a French drain be, and what is the minimum slope?
Most residential French drains are 12–24 inches deep, set below the root mat and finished grade. We hold a minimum 1% slope (1 ft of fall per 100 ft of run), ideally closer to 2% where possible. We always call Sunshine 811 before digging and maintain tolerance zones around marked utilities to protect your property.
What’s the difference between a French drain and a channel (trench) drain?
A French drain is subsurface - perforated pipe, stone, and fabric - to lower and redirect groundwater and yard seepage. A channel or trench drain is a surface grate and channel set in concrete, ideal for driveways, garages, and pool decks. Many Winter Park homes benefit from both: channel drains for hardscapes and French drains or swales for the lawn.