What Is a French Drain?

Drainage is a vital component to protecting your property and your home. When excess water accumulates on your property, it can ruin landscaping and impact the foundation of your home. Drainage solutions divert excess water to storm drains or retention ponds and protect your property. One option is a French drain, discreetly removing excess water from your yard.

How a French Drain Works

French drains are a system of trenches and pipes that are installed underground to collect excess water and direct it to drain at an appropriate spot. A common configuration is a trench that is lined with rocks, used to collect surface water from your yard. At the bottom of the trench is perforated piping that travels underground to the designated drainage spot. As water collects in the trench, it enters the piping that slopes to the drainage point, maintaining proper soil water levels.

French drains are perfect for yards that tend to get soggy or have surface water during the wet season. They can also be used to help divert water away from foundations and basements; a home with a leaky basement may benefit from using a French drain to remove storm drain run-off and other water from around the home.

Installation of French drains requires planning. The trench must be low enough to attract water run off and the underground pipes must slope gradually to use gravity to move water to the drainage point. It is recommended to have a French drain installed by a drainage expert, usually a landscaping service.

If you have a yard with excess water, French drains can be an effective and inexpensive option to protect your property. Contact a local landscaper that offers drainage solutions to determine if a French drain is right for your property.

Posted on behalf of:
Pannone’s Lawn Pros & Landscaping
Cumming, GA 30041
(678) 294-0351