# Drainage Baton Rouge: French Drains and Yard Drainage That Actually Drain

> Standing water in your Baton Rouge yard? Hernandez Lawnscape finds the last spot to dry, trenches from there, and runs pipe at a 2 percent fall to the street or ditch. Owner-led since 2013.

Canonical page: https://hernandezlawnscape.com/drainage/

Hernandez Lawnscape (Hernandez Lawnscape LLC) is Baton Rouge's drainage-first landscape company: owner-led, licensed for irrigation, and built on honest advice instead of upsells since 2013. Two locations: 16148 Confederate Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70817 and 10801 Yarlin St, Denham Springs, LA 70726. Louisiana irrigation contractor license IC #0866. Rated 4.9 stars across 191 Google reviews. Phone (225) 347-9540, Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am to 3pm, Sun closed.

Water runs downhill. If your yard does not have a way out, it is finding a way in. We start at the last spot in the yard to dry out, trench from there, and slope the pipe to a real discharge point. Gravity first, pumps last.

## How we diagnose drainage

Find the last spot in the yard to dry out, trench from there, and run pipe at a 2 percent fall (one to two inches every ten feet) to a real discharge point such as the street or a ditch. Gravity first; a pump only when there is no natural slope, because pumps fail when the power goes out.

## Yard Drainage Systems in Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge gets about 60 inches of rain a year, far above the national average, and most of our yards sit on flat, heavy soil that holds it. Standing water after a storm is not bad luck. It is water with no way out. A yard drainage system gives it one: a low point to collect in, a pipe to travel through, and a discharge point that is lower than where it started.

We install French drains, catch basins, downspout tie-ins and full drainage systems for homes across Baton Rouge, Denham Springs and Livingston Parish. Every system starts the same way, with a walk through the yard after we ask you one question: where is the last spot to dry out after rain?

## How We Diagnose a Drainage Problem

The low spot is where the system starts, not where the puddle is easiest to reach. From there we look for an exit that is lower than the start, usually the street, a ditch or a swale. If we can get a natural fall from one to the other, gravity does the work for the life of the system. We run pipe at about a 2 percent fall, one to two inches of drop for every ten feet, so water never sits in the line.

A lot of drainage calls in newer subdivisions come down to grading. Final grading gets rushed on a new build, and then a neighbor raises a lot, pours a slab or adds a pool. The path your water used to take is gone. Your yard did not change. The yard next door did. We find the new low spot and give the water a new way out.

## French Drain Systems

A French drain is a trench with a perforated pipe at the bottom, surrounded by washed gravel and wrapped in filter fabric so soil cannot clog it. Water in the ground seeps into the gravel, drops into the pipe and travels downhill to the exit. It is the right fix for a side yard between two houses, a soggy strip along a fence, or a backyard that stays wet for days.

Where the problem is roof water rather than ground water, the fix is different. Downspouts by themselves dump the whole roof at your foundation. We tie them into solid pipe that carries the water out to the street, because gutters without drainage to a discharge point just move the problem to your slab.

## Catch Basins, Pipe Size and Pumps

Catch basins collect surface water in a patio corner or a low spot in the lawn and feed it into the line. Pipe size follows the water: a small side yard runs on four inch pipe, and a yard taking two roofs and a patio may need six inch pipe so the line keeps up in a downpour.

A pump is the last resort. It is only necessary when there is no natural slope from the low spot to any exit. Pumps work, but they stop when the power goes out, which in a Louisiana storm is exactly when you need them. If gravity can do the job, we will tell you that you do not need a pump, even when someone else has already quoted you one.

## Protecting Your Plants and Your Foundation

Drainage is not only about the lawn. Beds that hold water rot roots, and water that sits against a slab finds its way in. A drainage system that carries water away from the house protects the beds, the sod and the foundation at the same time, which is why we grade and drain before we plant anything on a renovation.

## What a Drainage Job Looks Like

1. A walk through the yard to find the low spot and the exit.
2. An itemized quote by email with the pipe sizes, the run and the discharge point spelled out.
3. Trenching, often by hand where the loader cannot go, and pipe laid at a steady fall.
4. Downspouts tied in, gravel and fabric placed, catch basins set.
5. Sod put back over the trench. In a few weeks you cannot tell where the crew was.

Drainage is one of the three things we warranty, along with irrigation and artificial turf, because we control every part of the installation. After the next hard rain, watch the low spot. It should be dry within hours.

## Frequently asked questions

### How does Hernandez Lawnscape decide where a drain goes?

Gerardo asks the homeowner one question first: where is the last part of the yard to dry out after rain? That is the low point, and that is where the system starts. From there the crew trenches toward a discharge point that is lower than the start, usually the street or a ditch, so the pipe can run at a natural slope.

### What slope does a yard drain need?

We run drainage pipe at about a 2 percent fall, which is one to two inches of drop for every ten feet of pipe. Anything flatter holds water in the line; anything steeper wastes depth you may need at the discharge end.

### Do I need a pump?

Only when there is no natural slope from the low spot to a discharge point. Pumps work, but they stop when the power goes out, which in a Louisiana storm is exactly when you need them. If we can get gravity to do the job, we will tell you that you do not need a pump.

### Why does my new-build yard flood when it never did before?

New subdivisions often skip careful final grading, and a neighbor's new slab, raised lot or pool can block the path water used to take. A yard that drained fine three years ago can start holding water because of what was built next door.

### Are gutters enough?

Downspouts by themselves bring all the roof water to one spot at your foundation. Gutters without a drainage line that carries the water out to the street or a ditch can create a bigger problem than they solve. We tie downspouts into the drainage system so the water actually leaves.

### Is drainage work warrantied?

Yes. Drainage, irrigation and artificial turf are the three things we warranty, because we control every part of the installation.

### What are the most common drainage system services offered in Baton Rouge, LA?

In Baton Rouge, LA, our company offers a comprehensive range of drainage system services. This includes installation, maintenance, and repair of residential and commercial drainage systems. We specialize in gutter and downspout services, French drains, surface drainage solutions, and subsurface drainage systems. Our team is equipped to handle projects of all sizes, ensuring effective water management for your property.

### How does Hernandez Lawnscape ensure effective stormwater management in Baton Rouge's drainage systems?

At Hernandez Lawnscape, we prioritize effective stormwater management in Baton Rouge by implementing advanced drainage solutions tailored to our unique climate and geography. Our approach includes detailed site assessments, the use of high-quality materials, and installation of systems like retention basins and permeable paving. We ensure compliance with local regulations and focus on creating systems that effectively manage runoff, prevent flooding, and protect water quality.

### What are the typical costs for residential drainage system installation in Baton Rouge?

The cost of residential drainage system installation in Baton Rouge varies based on several factors, including the size of your property, the type of system required, and the complexity of the installation. On average, homeowners can expect to spend anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. We provide detailed, transparent quotes after a comprehensive evaluation of your specific needs to ensure you get the most cost-effective solution.

### Can Hernandez Lawnscape provide eco-friendly drainage solutions in Baton Rouge?

Absolutely! At Hernandez Lawnscape, we are committed to offering eco-friendly drainage solutions in Baton Rouge. Our green solutions include rain gardens, bioswales, and the use of environmentally sustainable materials. These systems not only manage water effectively but also contribute to groundwater replenishment and reduce the environmental impact. We believe in protecting our community’s natural resources while offering efficient drainage solutions.

### How does Hernandez Lawnscape address emergency drainage system repairs in Baton Rouge?

For emergency drainage system repairs in Baton Rouge, Hernandez Lawnscape offers prompt and reliable services. Our emergency response team is available 24/7 to address critical issues like severe clogs, system backups, or flood risks. We understand the urgency of these situations and strive to provide quick, efficient, and long-lasting repairs to ensure your property is safe and your system is functioning optimally.

## Related pages

- [Sprinkler System Baton Rouge | Licensed Installation](https://hernandezlawnscape.com/irrigation.md)
- [Sod Installation Baton Rouge | St. Augustine and Zoysia](https://hernandezlawnscape.com/sod-installation.md)
- [Landscaping Baton Rouge | Landscape Design and Renovation](https://hernandezlawnscape.com/landscaping.md)
- [Drainage Cost Baton Rouge | What French Drains Cost](https://hernandezlawnscape.com/drainage-cost-baton-rouge.md)

## Contact

- Hernandez Lawnscape, 16148 Confederate Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70817
- Hernandez Lawnscape Denham Springs, 10801 Yarlin St, Denham Springs, LA 70726
- Phone and text: (225) 347-9540
- Email: info@hernandezlawnscape.com
- Hours: Mon to Fri 7am to 7pm, Sat 8am to 3pm, Sun closed
- Contact page: https://hernandezlawnscape.com/contact-us/