- French drains are considered one of the most effective water management solutions to keep water from infiltrating your foundation or basement.
- French drains are a type of underground drain that uses trenches to collect water.
- Affordability is another reason why many people choose to have a french drain installed at their home.
French drains are undoubtedly one of the most effective water management solutions anyone could have around their property. Their design accommodates the natural downhill flow of water in order to mitigate any potential water damage a home could endure from flooding. French drains work as protective barriers to your foundation, basement, and your overall well-being. Don’t just take our word for it, though. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about french drains, from how their system operates to the installation and benefits, so keep reading!
How Do French Drains Work?
French drains are installed by digging underground trenches in the most troublesome areas of the yard surrounding the property’s perimeter. Once these trenches are mapped and dug out, they are filled with gravel and a PVC or drainpipe, consisting of either a perforated or slotted design. Here at Rain Guard, we will also add two layers of permeable fabric while installing the pipe: one in the trench to prevent soil and root intrusion and one on top before topsoil replacement. The gravel that was poured into the trench will act as a sieve, letting liquid pass through the pipe while straining the debris.
Although, perhaps the most important detail about the design of these trenches is the slope they are given. Once surface water enters the trench this slope will guide the water away from the property in a downhill manner to a suitable location for water drainage. The dimensions of these trenches are also unique to each yard, but typically they are around a foot wide and consist of either shallow drains or footing drains. Shallow drains are just a couple of feet deep while footing drains tend to go a bit deeper than this.
Benefits of French Drains
French drains let you have it all when it comes to water management solutions with their ease of installation, effective and durable design, aesthetically pleasing appearance, and overall affordability!
Foundation Protection
French drains help redirect water away from your home that could likely compromise the very foundation of it. An excess of water can displace surrounding soil and seep through the cracks of your foundation, damaging the structural integrity of it. French drains reduce this hydrostatic pressure on the foundation by giving the water an alternate path downward instead of through the cracks this creates. This is not only extremely expensive to fix, but it is also a dangerous condition to live in. It’s important to have a water management system such as french drains in order to avoid these unfortunate and inconvenient occurrences from happening.
Durability
Compared to other drainage options, french drains are entirely more durable as they are located underground. You can have peace of mind knowing you won’t have to worry about any water damage related repairs to your house, nor to your drainage system. French drains will always perform at their best due to their unmatched durability and you’ll never have to worry about them wearing out.
Appearance
If the idea of digging trenches in your yard sounds scary, let us put your mind at ease. French drains do a wonderful job of managing water while also appearing pleasing to the eye. They keep all of the practical functions underground and out of sight, but at the surface level they can blend perfectly with your yard. There are plenty of options when it comes to the gravel used for the top of french drains coming in all shapes and sizes.
Water Drainage
Unlike other water drainage systems, you can decide where the water is redirected to. You could have the pipe deposit water into the street, an area of your yard at a lower elevation, or maybe a drainage ditch; the choice is yours and we’re here to help!
Affordability
One of the best things about french drains is they have easier and quicker installations compared to other water management solutions out there. Their initial installation also doesn’t typically disturb any existing exterior structures, making it a very affordable drainage solution.
Rain Guard Has The Water Damage Protection You Need
French drains not only protect against the damages that surface water can cause after a heavy rain or melting snow, but they also siphon the excess water beneath the surface as well. This water would otherwise remain stuck under the surface thus leading to soil erosion and the structural instability of your home. If french drains seem like the water management solution for you then we’re here to help. Looking for a different kind of drainage system? Check out our website to see our downspout and other drainage systems, we also have gutter accessories, water collection systems, as well as gutter maintenance services. Schedule your free estimate, stop by in person, or give us a call today! Remember, when rain falls, call Rain Guard.
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