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Hydro Fix vs. French Drains: A Detailed Comparison for Modern Installations

French drains have been the go-to solution for decades—but they come with serious downsides: clogs, slope requirements, deep trenches, and short lifespans. Hydro Fix offers a modern alternative using recycled plastic planks that move water with pressure, not gravity. This post compares French drains and Hydro Fix side-by-side in performance, installation, cost, and longevity. Whether you’re a contractor, homeowner, or engineer, this comparison will help you make the smarter, long-term choice for your drainage project.

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Overview

Introduction: Out with the Old?

French drains have been used since the 1800s. The basic design—a gravel-filled trench with perforated pipe—hasn’t changed much since. While widely used, French drains come with recurring headaches:
  • Require constant slope

  • Clog easily with soil or sediment

  • Require deep digging and fabric

  • Often fail within a few years

Hydro Fix is here to solve those exact issues.

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What Is a French Drain?

A traditional French drain includes:
  • A deep trench

  • Perforated pipe

  • Gravel or stone

  • Geotextile filter fabric

Water enters the system via gravel, filters through fabric, and drains through the pipe (only if it’s sloped properly).

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What Is HydroBlox?

HydroBlox is a 100% recycled plastic drainage plank that:
  • Moves water using hydrostatic pressure (not slope)

  • Has a high-void internal structure that prevents clogs

  • Requires no gravel, no fabric, and only shallow trenches

It’s installed flat, fast, and lasts for decades.

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Side-by-Side Comparison

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Installation Comparison

French Drain:
  • Dig deep trench

  • Lay fabric

  • Add gravel layer

  • Position perforated pipe

  • Add more gravel

  • Wrap with fabric

  • Backfill

Hydro Fix Install:
  • Dig shallow trench

  • Lay planks end-to-end

  • Backfill with topsoil

Done.

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Real-World Example

A homeowner in a flat, clay-heavy yard replaced 100 linear feet of clogged French drain with Hydro Fix. The new system:
  • Was installed in half the time

  • Required no gravel

  • Has remained clog-free after 3 seasons

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Cost Comparison

Though Hydro Fixhas a higher per-linear-foot material cost, it saves money in:
  • Excavation

  • Gravel/material delivery

  • Installation time

  • Long-term maintenance

Total project cost is often 20–40% lower with Hydro Fix install.

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When to Choose Hydro Fix as an install solution

  • Flat terrain

  • Heavy clay soils

  • Projects with access limitations

  • LEED/ESG-focused developments

  • Installers wanting fewer callbacks

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December 9, 2025
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