French Drain Installation in Chesapeake, VA

A french drain installed in a crawl space in Chesapeake, VA

If you're a homeowner in Chesapeake, VA, you know that dealing with water in your basement or crawl space can be a major headache. Water intrusion can lead to a host of problems, including mold growth, structural damage, and health hazards. That's why it's important to have a reliable French drain installation service to keep your home dry and protected.


At Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair, we specialize in providing comprehensive French drain installation services for both basements and crawl spaces. Our experienced technicians will work with you to assess your unique needs and design a customized solution to effectively remove water from your foundation and prevent future water damage.

What is a French Drain?

A French drain is a trench filled with gravel and perforated pipe that collects and redirects water away from your foundation. It works by allowing water to seep into the gravel and flow through the perforated pipe to a designated drainage outlet. French drains are an effective and affordable way to prevent water intrusion and protect your basement or crawl space from damage.

Signs You Need a French Drain

There are several signs that may indicate you need a French drain, including:

  • Water pooling around your foundation
  • Wet basement or crawl space floors
  • Musty odors in your basement or crawl space
  • Visible mold growth in your basement or crawl space
  • Cracking or damage to your foundation walls

Benefits of French Drain Installation

Installing a French drain offers a multitude of benefits for your home, including:

  • Prevents water damage to your basement or crawl space
  • Eliminates mold growth and musty odors
  • Protects your foundation from cracking and settling
  • Promotes a healthier indoor environment

Why Choose Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair?

When it comes to French drain installation, you can trust the experts at Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair. We offer:

  • A team of experienced and certified technicians
  • A comprehensive assessment of your water intrusion problems
  • Customized French drain solutions tailored to your specific needs
  • High-quality materials and workmanship
  • A competitive pricing structure

Contact Us Today for a Free Quote

If you're concerned about water intrusion in your basement or crawl space, don't hesitate to contact Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair today. We'll schedule a free inspection and provide you with a detailed quote for our French drain installation services. With our expertise and commitment to quality, you can rest assured that your home will be protected from water damage for years to come.

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Cities We Proudly Service

  • Service Areas

    Chesapeake, VA

    Virginia Beach, VA

    Norfolk, VA 

    Portsmouth, VA

    Suffolk, VA

    Franklin, VA

    Windsor, VA

    Isle of Wight, VA

    Smithfield, VA

    Carrolton, VA

    Hampton, VA

    Newport News, VA

    Poquoson, VA

    Grafton, VA

    Yorktown, VA

    Williamsburg, VA

    Moyock, NC

    Currituck, NC

    Camden, NC

    Elizabeth City, NC

    South Mills, NC

Other Waterproofing Services

French Drain FAQs

  • Can you put a French drain in a crawl space?

    Yes, French drains are effective when used in conjunction with other treatments. When water is running underground toward a home on a slope, an external French drain across the land, uphill of the house, can occasionally divert the flow around the structure sufficiently to keep a crawl space or basement dry.

  • Does a French drain need an exit?

    Ideally, the french drain will lead to an above-ground outlet on the side of a hill or at least a downhill slope, allowing the water in the drain to leave and enter the area where typical surface runoff from the land flows.

  • Can a French drain go uphill?

    YES! In a French Drain, Crawl Space Footer Tile, or Basement Footer System, water can go upward! A rainfall drain is NOT the same as a sewer and drain.

  • Can you dead end a French drain?

    Even if the pipe is laid dead level, the French drain system will function properly. It will not function if the pipe is installed such that it slopes upwards. This pipe exit site is frequently concealed by ornamental gravel, stones, or big rocks.

  • Can you install a French drain without gravel?

    Good drainage is essential for keeping a house dry and mold-free. The traditional method of constructing French drains omitted the use of gravel and cloth. However, without the gravel and fabric, the drain might get clogged with sand and dirt over time.

  • Why do French drains fail?

    A French drain can become clogged over time. Tiny dirt and clay particles pass through the pores of the landscaping fabric and accumulate within the pipe over time. Root incursion from grass, bushes, and trees is another major source of French drain blockages.

  • How do you tell if a French drain is clogged?

    Allow 1–2 minutes for the water level to increase and enter the drain pipe in the trench. The French drain is operational if water begins to flow out of the pipe end. The French drain gets blocked if water does not flow out of the pipe end.

  • How long does a French drain last?

    In general, a French drain will last between 30 and 40 years. However, the aforementioned reasons may reduce its life cycle, necessitating its replacement by a team of foundation specialists.

  • How deep should a crawl space French drain be?

    The depth of a French drain should be between 8 inches and 2 feet for most water-diverting projects, however related systems, such as those designed around foundations and sub-ground living spaces, as well as the bases of retaining walls, may be deeper.

  • How deep should a French drain be in a basement?

    The trench must be at least 2 feet wide and as deep as 6 feet for a basement or as shallow as two feet for a slab-on-grade house. Place the pipe on the virgin soil.

  • Do French drain holes go up or down?

    In installing a French drain, the holes in the PVC pipe must always face upward. The only time holes should be oriented downward is when constructing a leaching field. When water is poured or pushed into a pipe, we want the water to drain out into the surrounding ground.

  • Does drain tile need to be sloped?

    The drain tile does not have to be sloped, but a little pitch helps keep silt and clay out of the pipe (particularly when the pipe has just two rows of holes on the bottom).

  • How far should a foundation be from a French drain?

    We suggest that the french drains be installed between 2 and 5 feet away from the foundation. There are a few factors that influence the precise distance to be dug for new drain lines to transport water away from your property. Choosing the proper distance: Examine where water naturally pools following heavy rains.

  • Will a French drain keep my basement dry?

    A French drain, often known as "drain tile," installed within or outside the foundation, can keep most basements dry and will never need to be maintained or replaced.

  • Can you cover a French drain in the basement?

    French drains are often not covered with concrete; instead, they are either left completely exposed or covered with a removable grate. This is done so that if it clogs, it would be easier to enter the system and clean it.

  • Does my basement need a French drain?

    If water is constantly leaking into your basement, you'll require a deep or internal French drain. A deep French drain runs around the full perimeter of your property, diverting water away from the foundation.

  • Will a sump pump work without a French drain?

    Yes, it pumps a lot of water out without using any drainage lines.

  • What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?

    The difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for subterranean drainage, whereas a trench drain is utilized to remove excess water from a surface.

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Contact Information

Phone: 757-302-8008

Address: 2530 Centerville Tpke S, Chesapeake, VA

Business Hours:

Mon - Fri 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Sat - Sun Closed

Appointments Available

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Servicing Chesapeake, VA and Nearby Cities

Hawk Crawlspace & Foundation Repair provides crawl space and basement waterproofing, crawl space encapsulation and foundation repairs to solve moisture and mold problems in Chesapeake, VA and surrounding areas.

Related Services in Chesapeake, VA

Please see our most requested services listed below. If you have a flooded crawl space due to a lack of a french drain, sump pump, we can help! If you need of mold removal due to high humidity levels, we will make sure to your crawl space stays clean, dry and healthy!

Crawl Space Vapor Barrier Installation

Crawl space vapor barrier installation is a cost-effective way to solve moisture control problems. Crawl space vapor barriers are designed to keep humidity, water, and wet air from entering the home through the crawl space floor. This helps prevent mold and mildew build-up that can lead to structural damage and uncomfortable living conditions for the occupants of your home!

Crawl Space Mold Remediation

Crawl space mold removal is one of the most important steps in solving moisture control problems. Mold can quickly become a major issue for homes, and those who go ahead with cleanup and remediation as soon as possible will be more likely to keep the problem from spreading. Getting rid of the mold before it starts to take over your entire home will save you both time and money.

Crawl Space Waterproofing

Crawl Space Waterproofing is a necessity. It's not just about protecting your home from water damage, it also helps you avoid the health and safety risks of mold!

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