French drains in Dunmore basements come in two forms, and most homeowners do not know the difference. Interior french drains are installed inside the basement, saw-cut through the slab 6 inches off the wall, 8 to 10 inches deep, and tied to a sump pit that pumps the water out. They are the right fix when water is pushing up through the cove joint or seeping through wall cracks. Exterior french drains are installed outside the foundation footing during a full excavation or along the yard to intercept surface water before it gets to the wall. Different jobs, different prices, different problems they solve.
In the older Bucktown and Hilltop sections of Dunmore, where stone-foundation houses sit tight against the sidewalk, exterior excavation is often physically impossible because there is no yard to dig. Interior french drain is the only practical fix and it works just as well. We saw-cut a 10 inch wide channel around the perimeter, dig to the bottom of the footing, bed 3 inch perforated SDR pipe in washed 3/4 inch stone, and patch the concrete. The washed stone is critical. Pea gravel plugs with silt in 3 years. Washed 3/4 inch stays open for the life of the house.
For yard drainage jobs, particularly the tract homes down toward Smith Park and the developments off Kennedy Boulevard, we see a lot of water pooling against the foundation during spring thaw. A 4 inch exterior french drain installed 18 to 24 inches deep along the uphill side of the house intercepts the surface water and routes it to a daylight discharge or a dry well. Those jobs run 3,500 to 8,000 dollars depending on linear footage and the length of the discharge run. Pennsylvania frost line is 36 inches so a french drain shallower than that can heave in a hard winter.
The sump pit end of a french drain matters as much as the pipe itself. We install a proper 18 by 24 inch sump basin, not a 5 gallon bucket, and we set the pit in washed stone so groundwater drains into it from every direction. Lid gets sealed with an airtight gasket to keep radon and basement humidity under control. Discharge line gets pitched at 1/4 inch per foot to daylight or to a storm sewer stub where code allows. Freeze guard fitting on the discharge keeps it running through February when the ground stays frozen 36 inches down.
What we handle
Interior Perimeter French Drain
The standard interior fix for wet Dunmore basements. 3 inch perforated SDR pipe bedded in washed stone under the saw-cut perimeter, tied to a sump pit and discharge line. Most 1,200 square foot basements finish in 2 to 3 working days.
Exterior Foundation French Drain
Installed outside the footing during a full excavation. 4 inch perforated pipe wrapped in filter fabric, bedded in washed stone against the footing, tied to a daylight discharge where grade allows. The right call when a wall is cracked on the outside.
Yard French Drain and Surface Water Diversion
Intercepts surface water before it reaches the foundation. 4 inch perforated pipe 18 to 24 inches deep in washed stone, routed to a daylight outlet or a dry well. Common fix for tract homes in the newer Dunmore developments where grading sheds water toward the house.
Driveway and Walkway Drain
Channel drain or french drain at the garage door or basement bulkhead to stop rainwater from flowing into the basement. Standard fix for walkout basements in the Hilltop section of Dunmore where the driveway slopes toward the garage.
Dry Well and Daylight Discharge
The outlet end of any french drain. We install either a 40 cubic foot dry well in open yard space or a daylight discharge pipe to grade. Freeze guard fitting on every discharge for NEPA winter.
Emergency French Drain for Active Flooding
Same-day assessment and expedited install for actively flooding basements in Dunmore, Scranton and Clarks Summit. Pump out, inspect, quote, schedule the dig inside 1 to 2 weeks.
How the job goes
1. Free Phone Intake
You call, we ask where the water is coming from (wall, cove joint, yard surface) and how old the house is. You get an interior-versus-exterior recommendation and a price band inside 10 minutes of the call.
2. On-Site Inspection and Walk-Through
Foreman measures the full perimeter, checks the grade, identifies active wet lines on the wall and cove joint, and locates a workable discharge point. Full inspection runs 45 to 90 minutes.
3. Written Scope and Flat-Rate Quote
Linear feet of trench, size of pipe, sump pit specs, discharge path, backup battery. All written, flat-rate, before any work starts.
4. Trench, Pipe, Stone, Patch
Saw-cut and trench to depth, lay 3 inch or 4 inch perforated pipe, backfill with washed stone to within 2 inches of finished floor, patch concrete. Interior jobs finish in 2 to 3 days, exterior yard drains in 1 to 3 days.
5. Water-Test, Cleanup, Warranty
Garden hose test against the drain line, sump pump cycle test, discharge check. Shop vac, debris haul-away, written transferable workmanship warranty and photos emailed or printed before we leave.
What's included
- Free on-site inspection and interior-versus-exterior recommendation
- 3 inch or 4 inch perforated SDR drain pipe, not undersized flex tubing
- Washed 3/4 inch stone bedding, not pea gravel that plugs in 3 years
- Filter fabric wrap on exterior drains to keep silt out of the pipe
- Proper 18 by 24 inch sump basin with sealed airtight lid where interior
- Freeze guard fitting on every discharge line
- Water-test with garden hose before cleanup
- Transferable workmanship warranty in writing
What it costs
Most french drain installations in Dunmore run 3,500 to 15,000 dollars. Interior perimeter systems for a 1,200 square foot basement land at 6,000 to 12,000 dollars. Yard french drains run 3,500 to 8,000 dollars by linear footage.
| Job | Typical price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Perimeter French Drain | $6,000 to $15,000 | Full saw-cut, trench, 3 inch perforated pipe, washed stone, sump pit and discharge. Priced flat by linear foot of perimeter. |
| Exterior Foundation French Drain | $12,000 to $25,000 | Part of a full excavation waterproofing job. Includes dig to footing, wall cleaning, Delta-MS membrane and new drain tile. Access and depth drive the spread. |
| Yard French Drain (per linear foot) | $40 to $85 | 4 inch perforated pipe in washed stone, 18 to 24 inches deep, routed to a daylight discharge or dry well. Cheaper for straight runs, more for trenches that cross driveways. |
| Driveway and Walkway Channel Drain | $1,500 to $4,500 | Standard fix at garage doors and basement bulkheads. Includes saw-cut, channel installation, grated cover and tie-in to existing drainage. |
| Dry Well Install | $1,800 to $3,800 | 40 cubic foot pre-cast dry well with inlet pipe. The right outlet for a french drain when a daylight discharge is not possible. |
| Free On-Site Inspection and Quote | Free | Full perimeter walk, grading check and written flat-rate quote in your hand before we leave. No service call fee. |
Ranges are typical for French Drain Installation jobs in Dunmore and confirmed with an exact written quote before any work starts.