You are proud of your yard. As proud as you are of your yard, there are probably some areas that handle water better than others. One of these areas might be one mostly in the shade and so it accumulates more water due to the relative lack of evaporation. If this area is close to your home, or another area that accumulates more water, you could experience serious foundation problems over time. Homes and properties that receive a lot of rainwater are vulnerable to foundation damage and the basement flooding because of a lack of a drainage system. Luckily, French drains can help. Here’s how:

FRENCH DRAIN BASICS

The French drain’s predecessors were slightly-angled ditches filled with gravel. By the 19th century, a man named Henry French added carefully-laid roofing tile to allow a better flow of water. A modern French drain is a subsurface drainage system that is designed to remove excess water from an area. The most common way to create a French drain system is to create an angled ditch containing a length of perforated pipe that is surrounded by gravel or sand and then covered in soil. The perforated pipe is set at the bottom of the trench and then gravel is placed on top of the pipe and around it. The perforation in the pipe allows for water to enter the system while the gravel and sand act as a filter to remove debris. The French drain usually ends in a storm drain or a dry well. French drains are typically placed in areas that see an excess of water and run from a high point in the yard to a low point.

MOVEMENT OF WATER

Gravity is what makes a French drainage system work. There is no pump needed for the French drainage system to work correctly. When water pools and accumulates it enters the drain through the perforations in the pipes and then is propelled down the slope by gravity. A French drain system can also work on a level yard because the water enters into the perforated pipe and as it builds up drains away from the area that has pooled water. The lack of a pump is why the French drainage system is now the go-to choice for contractors.

The purpose of the French drain is to spread water more evenly over a given space from where the water pools and accumulates. The gravel and sand allow the water to percolate easily down to the pipe, through which the water enters via a system of holes. The water is then carried down the length of the pipe and emptied far away from the initial problem area. If there is an extraordinary amount of water, the French drain can even act as temporary storage.

BENEFITS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

If you allow water to collect around the base of your home, it’s only a matter of time before it seeps into your basement or foundation. Luckily, a well-placed French drain can ensure that much of the water is quickly transported to a place where it can’t do any damage to your home. By installing a French drain, you’ll save a lot of money on foundation repairs down the road. Here are some other benefits to using a French drain system:

1. Prevents water damage: Pooling water or poorly drained water can cause water damage to the foundation of your home and any sidewalks or driveways that are on your property. The soft ground that is created by too much water in one area can cause sidewalks and driveways to sink over time.
2. Reduces erosion: Excess water doesn’t always pool, but it can drain away taking the soil with it. Erosion can damage landscaping, the yard, and the foundation of your home. A French drain system drains the excess water from where it has caused erosion and spreads it throughout the area of the French drain system.
3. Easy to install: A French drain can be installed by a homeowner that is a “Do it Yourselfer” or with help from a professional and there aren’t any specialty tools that are required for the installation of a French drain. If you don’t regularly install French drain systems, make sure you understand each step of the entire process before you begin and plan accordingly.
4. Low maintenance: A French drain system requires manual effort to be installed correctly, but once it is installed, there is very little maintenance involved in the French drain system. Once installed, you will want to periodically check the pipe for clogs and clear any debris that may have accumulated in the pipe.
5. Can be installed in level ground: Another option that many contractors choose to disperse excess water is creating swales in the yard. Both a swale and a French drain system move excess water and disperse it throughout the yard. Swales have to rely on gravity to function correctly while a French drain system can be installed on level ground.
6. Attractiveness: A French drain system is installed underground and if installed correctly is undetectable in your yard. There is no excess rock or undulations created in the landscaping when a French drain is installed.
7. Added value: Because a French drain system directs water away from your home there is less damage which in turn means added value.

If you have any questions about French drains, contact Structured Foundation Repairs, Inc. We’re proud to provide our clients with high-quality corrective drainage systems, as well as top-notch foundation repair. We have been in business since 2003 and continue to this day to provide the best customer service. Our motto is “Do the right thing” and we strive for that every day with every customer. Call us today at 972-349-4430 to make sure that your home is protected.