French Drain & Drainage Engineering · Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Scag Scapes

French Drain Specialists · 3D Elevation Mapping · Baton Rouge, LA

Licensed Landscape Contractor Licensed Irrigation Contractor Insured
Get a Free Estimate →
French Drain Engineering

3D elevation mapping —
not guesswork

Most drainage contractors in Baton Rouge eyeball your yard and dig. We use Moasure professional 3D elevation technology to build a complete contour model of your property — mapping every low point, slope, and flow path before a single shovel hits the ground.

Every French drain proposal includes a full-color aerial overlay with exact drain routes, downspout tie-ins, and elevation contours color-coded by water flow direction. You see the engineered plan before you sign.

After excavation, we survey the finished trench with the same 3D technology to verify proper slope before any pipe goes in. The final grade data is documented and provided to you — proof your French drain was built to spec, not eyeballed.

3D elevation model of Baton Rouge yard showing drainage flow paths and low points for French drain design
3D Elevation Model — Color-coded by drainage flow direction
Aerial elevation contour map overlay showing French drain route planning on Baton Rouge property
Aerial Contour Overlay — Precise drain route planning
3D trench grade verification survey showing 1.71 feet of elevation drop over 162 feet of French drain - Baton Rouge
Final Grade Verification — 162 ft trench, 1.71 ft drop, 1% slope confirmed
Powered by moasure Professional 3D Elevation Technology
French Drain Anatomy

Open vs. closed —
two designs, one purpose

Every French drain works the same way: a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe at the bottom, wrapped in landscape fabric to keep soil out. The difference is what happens at the surface — and the right choice depends on your property's drainage needs.

Open French Drain Gravel-top · Visible

An open French drain leaves the gravel exposed at the surface, creating a visible drainage channel. This design captures both surface water (rain pooling in your yard) and subsurface water (groundwater seeping through clay). The exposed gravel acts as an intake — water flows directly into the stone and down to the perforated pipe below.

Best for: Areas with heavy surface flooding, side yards where aesthetics matter less, along fence lines, and properties where you need maximum water intake. Often paired with a brick or stone border for a clean finished look.

1 Gravel surface (exposed) — acts as visible intake
2 #57 or #89 washed gravel — fills entire trench
3 Non-woven geotextile fabric — wraps gravel, blocks soil infiltration
4 4" perforated corrugated pipe — sits on trench bottom, collects water
5 Compacted trench floor — graded to minimum 1% slope
Open French drain with exposed gravel channel and brick border in Baton Rouge - visible drainage design
Closed French Drain Sod-top · Invisible

A closed French drain is buried completely under sod — once the grass fills in, you'd never know it's there. This design primarily targets subsurface water: groundwater that saturates clay soil and causes soggy, spongy yards. Water percolates down through the soil, hits the gravel envelope, and drains to the perforated pipe below.

What's under the sod: Beneath that finished lawn is a complete engineered system — a fabric-wrapped gravel envelope surrounding a 4" perforated pipe, all graded to slope. The photos show the same drain before and after sod: a clean, invisible surface on top, a hard-working drainage channel underneath.

Best for: Front yards, backyards where appearance matters, areas with subsurface saturation rather than surface flooding, and homeowners who want drainage without changing the look of their lawn.

1 Sod surface — lawn grows over drain, completely hidden
2 2–3" topsoil cap — supports sod root establishment
3 #57 or #89 washed gravel — fills trench around pipe
4 Non-woven geotextile fabric — wraps gravel envelope
5 4" perforated corrugated pipe — sits on trench bottom
6 Compacted trench floor — graded to minimum 1% slope
Under the sod - French drain gravel envelope and perforated pipe before covering in Baton Rouge Under the sod — gravel + pipe
Finished closed French drain with sod grown over - invisible surface in Baton Rouge Finished surface — invisible

Not sure which design is right for your yard? We determine the best approach during your free on-site estimate using 3D elevation data — not guesswork.

Get a Free Estimate →
The Scag Scapes Impact

Real Transformations

Before - patchy overgrown backyard with old fence Before
Backyard — Patchy, Overgrown, No Landscape Beds
After - sod, landscape beds, and plantings installed After
Sod + Landscape Beds + Plantings
Before - bare gravel side yard with no grass or fence Before
Side Yard — Bare Gravel, No Grass or Fence
After - clean sod, cedar picket fence, and drainage installed After
Clean Sod + Cedar Picket Fence + Drainage
Before - yard with drainage erosion channel between houses in Baton Rouge Before
Yard Drainage Erosion — Standing Water Path Between Homes
After - French drain installation with gravel, landscape fabric, and corrugated pipe in Baton Rouge After
French Drain Installed — Gravel, Fabric & Corrugated Pipe
Before - bare patchy backyard with no fence in Baton Rouge Before
Backyard — Bare, Patchy Grass, No Privacy Fence
After - new cedar privacy fence and fresh sod installed in Baton Rouge backyard After
New Cedar Privacy Fence + Fresh Sod
Before - bare front yard with patchy grass and no landscape beds in Baton Rouge Before
Front Yard — Bare, No Landscape Beds or Plantings
After - complete front yard landscape renovation with sod, flower beds, and plantings in Baton Rouge After
Full Landscape Renovation — Sod, Beds & Plantings
Before - cluttered open back porch with no screening Before
Open Porch — Cluttered, No Screening
After - screened-in porch with pressure treated framing and screen door After
Custom Screened Porch — Treated Framing & Screen Door
Before - bare backyard with brick wall, no landscape beds or plantings in Baton Rouge Before
Backyard — Bare Brick Wall, No Landscape Beds
After - complete backyard landscape renovation with sod, shrubs, mulch beds, and covered patio in Baton Rouge After
Complete Landscape Renovation — Beds, Sod & Patio
About Scag Scapes LLC
Finished Baton Rouge backyard with cedar fence, sod, and landscape beds by Scag Scapes

Where engineering precision meets craftsmanship

Scag Scapes LLC is owned and operated by Charlie Mascagni — a civil engineering graduate holding both landscape and irrigation contractor licenses in Louisiana. That technical foundation is what separates us: every French drain is designed with 3D elevation data, proper grading calculations, and Louisiana-specific drainage engineering built in from the start.

We specialize in French drain installation for Baton Rouge's challenging clay soils and high water table. Using professional 3D elevation mapping, we engineer precise drainage solutions — not guesswork. We also build cedar fences, hardscapes, and complete outdoor renovations across Greater Baton Rouge including Zachary, Denham Springs, Prairieville, Central, and Baker, LA.

Schedule Your Consultation →
Why Scag Scapes

Built different,
by design

01
Engineering Foundation

Civil engineering rigor on every project — proper grading, slope calculations, and drainage design before a shovel hits the ground.

02
Dual Licensed

Licensed landscape AND irrigation contractor. Two licenses, one contractor — complete outdoor solutions with no coordination gaps.

03
Moasure Technology

Professional elevation contour mapping on every drainage project. You see your property's actual data — not guesswork.

04
Louisiana Expertise

Clay-heavy soils, high water table, heavy rainfall. We build specifically for Louisiana's conditions — not generic solutions.

What We Do

Our Signature Services

French drain with gravel channel and landscape fabric - Baton Rouge drainage contractor
01
French Drains & Drainage
Gravel parking pad with brick border installed in Baton Rouge
02
Parking Pads & Driveways
Cedar picket fence with flagstone path installed in Baton Rouge
03
Fencing
Curved brick hardscape path and landscape bed around AC unit
04
Patios & Hardscapes
Sod installation and landscape bed renovation in Baton Rouge
05
Sod & Landscape Renovation
Complete front yard design with white picket fence, sod, and stepping stones
06
Complete Outdoor Design
French Drain FAQ

Common questions about
French drains in Baton Rouge

How much does a French drain cost in Baton Rouge?
French drain costs in the Baton Rouge area typically range from $25 to $60 per linear foot depending on depth, pipe diameter, soil conditions, and whether the drain ties into an existing stormwater system. Scag Scapes provides free on-site estimates with 3D elevation mapping so you know exactly what's needed before any work begins. Call 225-241-3069 for a free consultation.
Why do I need a French drain in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge's clay-heavy soils, flat terrain, and high annual rainfall (over 60 inches per year) mean water doesn't drain naturally from most yards. Standing water, soggy spots, and foundation erosion are common throughout neighborhoods in Baton Rouge, Zachary, Denham Springs, and Prairieville. A properly engineered French drain intercepts subsurface water and redirects it to a discharge point, protecting your home and yard.
What is 3D elevation mapping for French drains?
3D elevation mapping uses Moasure professional survey technology to create a detailed contour model of your yard's terrain. This reveals low points, flow paths, and slope gradients invisible to the naked eye. Scag Scapes uses this data to engineer precise French drain routes — ensuring water flows where it should, not where it shouldn't. Every estimate includes a full-color aerial overlay of the proposed drain layout.
Do you install French drains in Zachary, Denham Springs, and Prairieville?
Yes. Scag Scapes serves all of Greater Baton Rouge including Zachary, Denham Springs, Prairieville, Central, Baker, and Gonzales, Louisiana. Every French drain estimate includes a free on-site visit with 3D elevation mapping and an aerial drain layout — no matter where you are in the service area.
How long does a French drain installation take?
Most residential French drain installations in Baton Rouge take 1–3 days depending on the length of the run, soil conditions, and whether the project includes sod restoration. Scag Scapes handles everything from excavation to backfill, gravel, pipe installation, and final grading — so your yard is restored when we leave.
How do you verify the French drain slope is correct?
After excavation, we survey the finished trench using the same Moasure 3D elevation technology used to design the drain. This confirms proper slope (minimum 1% grade, or 1/8 inch per foot) at every point along the run before any pipe is installed. The final grade data is documented and provided to you — proof your French drain was built to engineering specifications, not guesswork. No other drainage contractor in Baton Rouge offers this level of verified quality control.
Get In Touch

Let's build something lasting

Ready to solve your drainage problems, install a fence, or transform your outdoor space in the Baton Rouge area? Charlie will personally assess your project and deliver a detailed proposal with elevation maps and drain layout — at no charge.

Serving: Baton Rouge · Zachary · Denham Springs · Prairieville · Central · Baker · Gonzales

Owner
Charlie Mascagni
Phone
225-241-3069
Email
charlie@scagscapes.com
Service Area
Greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Licenses
Landscape & Irrigation Contractor
Request a Free Estimate