Trench Drain Installation in Savannah, GA

Cost depends on the length of the drain run, the grate material chosen, and how much excavation and re-grading is needed. A basic residential driveway or patio trench drain might run $1,000-$3,000, while longer runs or commercial vehicle-rated systems can run several thousand dollars more. A contractor can give an accurate quote after seeing the site.

Gutters and downspouts manage roof runoff, but they don't address surface water flowing across a driveway, patio, or yard during heavy rain -- which is a common issue on Savannah's naturally flat terrain with a high water table. A trench drain addresses this surface-level pooling directly, which a gutter system alone can't fix.

A trench drain is a surface-level linear channel with a grate on top, designed to capture water flowing across a hard surface like a driveway or patio before it pools. A French drain is a below-ground perforated pipe surrounded by gravel, designed to collect and redirect groundwater or subsurface water. They're often used together on properties with both surface and subsurface drainage issues.

It depends on how much debris (leaves, sediment, grass clippings) typically reaches the drain, but most residential trench drains benefit from a cleaning check at least once or twice a year, more often if there's heavy tree cover nearby -- common throughout Savannah's older, tree-lined neighborhoods. A clogged trench drain can back up and defeat the purpose of having one installed.