Define the problem in writing. Note puddle locations, seasonal timing, snowmelt patterns, and any interior leaks. Photos and short phone videos after storms are gold.

Request a site assessment. A reputable installer will walk the grade, probe soil, and map utilities. Ask them to explain the drainage path in plain language.

Review a drawing and scope. Look for pipe size, length, depth, fabric type, aggregate spec, cleanouts, discharge plan, restoration method, and estimated timeline.

Compare two or three proposals. Focus on design clarity, materials, slope control, and access/restoration plans—not just price.

Check scheduling and communication. Storm season books fast; confirm start/finish windows and your point of contact.

Approve in writing. Make sure payment terms align with milestones like trenching, pipe installation, backfill, and final cleanup.

Walk through the finished system. Confirm cleanout locations, discharge flow, and areas restored as promised. Keep the plan with your home records.

Installation Basics, Step by Step

After utility locating, the crew saw-cuts or slices turf, trenches to design depth, sets base grade, and installs fabric, stone, and perforated pipe with consistent slope. Cleanouts are stubbed to grade with caps. The line transitions from solid pipe to the discharge—daylight on a slope, a pop-up emitter, a dry well, or a legal storm connection. Everything gets wrapped and backfilled, then turf or hardscape is restored.

Maintenance and Lifespan

French drains are low-maintenance if designed right. Once or twice a year, inspect cleanouts and discharge points, especially after heavy storms. Keep mulch, leaves, and sediment away from surface ties and grates. A properly built system commonly lasts decades; if performance drops, cleanouts allow jetting to clear fines.

Budget, Timeline, and Expectations

Simple lawn intercepts can be completed in a day; complex perimeter systems around large homes may take several. Costs depend on length, access, depth, and discharge requirements. Ask for a line-item estimate with material specs, linear footage, and restoration details so you can compare apples to apples.

Why Acting Now Helps

In Salt Lake County, spring thaw and summer cloudbursts can overwhelm unprepared yards. Installing French Drains near Salt Lake County before the wettest window reduces risk to foundations and landscaping, protects indoor air quality, and preserves resale value. A clear plan, a solid design, and a qualified installer turn chronic moisture headaches into a quietly reliable system underfoot.

Local Compliance and Responsible Discharge

Ask how your design handles freeze depth, snow storage, and legal discharge. Downstream erosion, neighbor impacts, and sump pump ties should be addressed. Smart plans for French Drains near Salt Lake County, Utah, keep water on-site when possible and protect shared drainage corridors.