Comparison · 2026
French Drain vs Swale vs Sump Pump: Which Fixes Your Wet Yard?
Three ways to move water off a Surrey yard — here's what each does, what it costs, and when to use it.
The short answer
It depends where the water comes from
There's no single "best" drainage system — the right fix depends on where the water is coming from and where it's going. French drains catch water underground, swales move water across the surface, and sump pumps lift out water that gravity can't move on its own.
On most Surrey lots the water has more than one source — a high water table, runoff from a neighbour's grade, and a foundation that catches it all. That's why the answer is usually a combination, and why we start every drainage job by finding the actual source before we recommend anything.
Best for
- French drain: water along foundations and lot lines
- Swale: surface runoff on slopes
- Sump pump: high water table / basement
- Often: a combination of all three
Head to head
Three systems compared
How it works
French drain: a buried perforated pipe that collects subsurface water.
Swale: a shallow graded channel that carries surface runoff.
Sump pump: a basin and pump that lift water out to daylight.
Typical cost
French drain: usually the mid-range option per linear metre.
Swale: often cheapest when your slope already works with it.
Sump pump: adds up — basin, pump and electrical.
Best for
French drain: water along foundations and lot lines.
Swale: surface runoff on slopes.
Sump pump: high water table or a wet basement.
Lifespan
French drain: decades with filter fabric and clean gravel.
Swale: decades with a stable, planted grade.
Sump pump: the pump itself lasts roughly 7–10 years.
Maintenance
French drain: occasional flush, keep the outlet clear.
Swale: keep the channel clear of debris.
Sump pump: test the float and check the pit yearly.
Looks
French drain: fully buried — invisible once done.
Swale: a soft grassy channel you can plant.
Sump pump: hidden indoors or in a basin.
Our verdict
Which do you need?
If water sits against your foundation or along a lot line, a French drain is usually the fix. If it runs across the surface of a slope, a swale or regrade is the cleaner answer. If it collects below grade or in a basement, a sump pump is what actually moves it out.
Most wet Surrey yards need more than one of these working together — which is exactly what we design for. Book a free on-site visit and we'll show you where the water is coming from, what it's doing, and the cheapest fix that actually solves it.
- French drain: foundation & perimeter water
- Swale: slope surface runoff
- Sump pump: water table & basement
- Combo: most wet Surrey yards
Questions
Drainage options FAQs
Free estimate
Get a quote for your drainage fix
Tell us where the water pools and what it's doing. We'll be in touch within one business day to arrange a free on-site estimate.
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