What is a French drain and how does it work?

We’ll plan out exactly where the French drain will be put and begin the installation process once we’ve determined where water is accumulating on the property. Excess surface and subsurface water will pass through the gravel and into the perforated piping, draining through the trench and away from the property once the French drain system is installed. Some of our customers direct the water into drainage ditches, while others release it into the street.

Installing a French drain can be a complicated process which can lead to problems if it’s not done properly. The best way to ensure the job is done correctly is to hire a professional technician who can ensure your yard drainage system is completed without complication.

Many times we are called in to repair or perform maintenance on drainage systems that have not been designed to meet the needs of the landscape it was intended for. When this happens, we sometimes find it necessary to start the process over, and other times we’ll have to reconfigure the drainage making sure the French drain will perform adequately no matter how much rain hits the ground.

Don’t wait until the next big downpour to call our drainage experts for a consultation to figure out the best solution for your drainage issues.

How Do We Put In French Drains?

Water will always flow downward by the most convenient path. A French drain, which is a slightly sloped channel normally filled with gravel and a single pipe to move water away from the property, works on this principle. Although the system itself may not appear difficult, installation requires careful preparation and precision.

To begin, a strong trench is dug into the landscape. The channel should be at least two feet wide and up to six feet deep and should be located outside of the house’s footing. For a slab-on-grade home, some are as shallow as two feet. After that, the drainage pipe is carefully placed in the soil. To help extra water drain appropriately, the pipeline must be sloped from a high beginning point to a lower ending position. The tube is then coated with at least 12 inches of washed gravel. To prevent soil from clogging the pipe, filter fabric is carefully laid over the gravel. Finally, topsoil is placed on the top.

A French drain is meant to carry water away from the home – and hence away from the foundation – in the majority of cases. When installed properly, the drain will run around the whole perimeter of the house at footing level. Because foundation repairs can be costly, a French drain is a good investment.

Severe storms, capable of wreaking havoc on a landscape or a home, are nothing new to us. When rainwater collects, it aggressively seeks out the path of least resistance. It’s possible the trail will lead right into your foundation. Drainage systems divert excess water away from the house and to a safe spot where it can be absorbed by the ground or evaporated effectively. Kindly be informed that we do not provide service to the foundation.

A French drain:

• reduces the chance of foundation cracks
• reduces the likelihood of a wet crawl space
• prevents the growth of mold and mildew.

The Benefits of a French Drain System

There are various advantages to installing a French drain system, including:

Removes Moisture – French drains are meant to keep moisture out of your home and property. Installing a French drain directs rainwater away from your house or garage and towards a lower place on the land where it won’t do any damage.

Easy to Install — When it comes to new building, some contractors recommend installing French drains. French drains can be installed at any time and with ease if you have the correct tools. The difficult part is deciding where to install the drain. It’s that easy after that!

Quick installation- Finally, French drains are quick to set up. When done by a professional, the installation process is not overly complicated, and the act of eliminating water is straightforward and hands-free.