French drains and yard drainage for Savannah

How it works

1. Call or send a request

   Tell us your address and where the water collects.

2. We connect you

   Your call goes to an independent drainage contractor that works in Chatham County.

3. They call you back

   They look at the lot, explain the options and quote the job themselves.

Who is this for?

Homeowners in Savannah, Pooler, Port Wentworth, Garden City, Wilmington Island, Isle of Hope and the rest of Chatham County who have water where it shouldn't be: a back yard that turns into a pond after an afternoon thunderstorm, a side yard where the fence line stays muddy all summer, downspouts that empty straight onto the foundation or driveway, or standing water under a house built on piers or a crawl space. It's also for buyers, sellers and landlords whose inspector flagged grading, gutters or moisture under the house.

Why does water sit in Savannah yards?

Because there's a lot of it and very little room for it to fall. Savannah's 1991 to 2020 climate normals average about 48 inches of precipitation a year, and roughly half of it comes from June through September, when tropical downpours can drop inches in an afternoon. The city sits only about 20 feet above sea level, with salt marsh reaching miles inland from the Savannah River, so most lots are close to flat. Water has very little slope to follow, and in low areas the ground water can sit just below the grass. When the soil is already wet, rain can't soak in and has nowhere to run.

The weather can be extreme, too. National Weather Service figures reported by WTOC put Savannah's August 2025 rainfall at 11.79 inches. Tropical systems add to that: Debby and Helene both affected Savannah in 2024.

How does the city drainage system fit in?

Your yard drains into a much bigger network. A 2022 City of Savannah stormwater presentation lists about 413 miles of pipe, about 152 miles of open ditches and canals, seven pump stations and 31 tide gates. That system is built around tides: when the river and marsh are high, gravity outfalls can't empty as fast, which is one reason pump stations and tide gates exist. The same presentation says the city does no stormwater work on private property. Getting water from your yard to the street, a ditch or a safe spot on your lot is the owner's job, and that's where a drainage contractor comes in.

Common drainage fixes

• French drains pull water out of soggy ground through a gravel-wrapped perforated pipe and carry it to an outlet.
• Downspout drain lines move roof water underground and release it away from the house.
• Grading and swales give flat yards just enough slope to move surface water off the lot.
• Sump pumps and crawl space water deal with water that has already collected under the house.
• Catch basins and channel drains grab water at low spots, patios and driveways.

Warning signs

• Puddles still standing a day or more after the rain stops
• Water running off the driveway or patio toward the house
• Gutters spilling over the front edge during heavy rain
• Damp soil, standing water or a musty smell in the crawl space
• Sand washing out from under a slab edge, walkway or pavers
• Grass dying or moss and algae growing along a constantly wet strip

Where is the water allowed to go?

Somewhere it won't flood a neighbor or clog the public system. Good outlets include the street gutter where allowed, an existing ditch or swale, or a well-drained part of your own lot. The City of Savannah's flood-protection brochure says it's illegal to dump trash, grass clippings or leaves into ditches and storm sewers, and suggests not pointing downspouts at the driveway, where the water just runs into the street. If your yard backs up to salt marsh, Georgia has a 25-foot buffer measured from the marsh edge, so work near it needs extra care.

Do I need a permit?

Sometimes. The City of Savannah says all development within the city requires a permit, and asks owners to check with Development Services before building, filling or regrading on their property, an easement or the right-of-way. If your lot is in a mapped flood zone, adding fill can be restricted because the city doesn't want flood storage lost. In unincorporated areas, Chatham County Engineering handles these questions. A contractor who works here regularly should know when to check. Our Chatham County drainage guide has the details.

Do I need to call 811 first?

Yes. Georgia 811 says it's the law to have utility lines marked before mechanized digging, the service is free, and requests should go in at least three business days before work starts. Trenching for a French drain or a downspout line crosses the same shallow ground where water, gas, cable and irrigation lines run.

Are you a drainage company?

No. Savannah French Drains is a referral service. We pass your call or request to an independent drainage contractor that serves your address, and that contractor quotes, does and warranties the work. Read the Chatham County drainage guide and our hiring tips before you sign anything.

Areas we cover

• Savannah
• Pooler
• Wilmington Island
• Port Wentworth

Planning ahead? Read our Chatham County drainage guide.