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While you might think that the French drain originated in France, the name derives from its inventor, Henry Flagg French, a farmer from New England born in 1813. Today, it’s known as the French drain. A French drain consists of an excavated trench with gravel sides and a perforated pipe to carry the water.
Why do they call them French drains?
In the USA, this type of drain was named after Henry Flagg French, the man who invented it and wrote a book about farm drainage published in Massachusetts in 1859. French drains were initially used to reroute water from a sloping piece of land, to where the water could be used somewhere else.
What is the difference between a French drain and a trench drain?
Aside from what we’ve listed here, the difference between a French drain and a trench drain is that a French drain is used for water that is underground while a trench drain diverts excess water from a surface.
What is called a French drain?
A French drain or weeping tile (also trench drain, filter drain, blind drain, rubble drain, rock drain, drain tile, perimeter drain, land drain, French ditch, sub-surface drain, sub-soil drain, or agricultural drain) is a trench filled with gravel or rock, or both, containing a perforated pipe that redirects surface.
What is the difference between a surface drain and a French drain?
The primary difference between the two systems is that French drains are used for water that is gradually seeping below ground level while surface drains handle water that’s collecting above the ground. Their installation methods and materials also vary.
What is a drainage ditch called?
Like a trench drain, a swale is a surface water drainage device. However, it’s a lot more subtle in terms of its appearance in the landscape. A swale is like a ditch but it’s broad and shallow, and usually covered or lined with turfgrass or other vegetation.
Where do French drains end?
Which End is Up? The two ends of a French drain system are: The drain field, or high end, where excess ground water enters the drain pipes. The drain exit, or lowest point, where water leaves the system.
How much should a French drain cost per foot?
According to Fixr, the average French drain costs $4,500. An exterior drain located fairly close to the surface could cost as little as $1,000, or $25 per linear foot on average. Drains installed under your basement floor could cost $2,000 or more. Expect to pay $60 to $70 per linear foot for installation.
Why do French drains fail?
Over time, a French drain may become clogged. Tiny soil and clay granules slip through the pores of the landscape fabric and gradually build up inside the pipe. Another common cause of French drain clogs is root intrusion from grass, shrubs, and trees.
Which is better French drain or swale?
French drains have a more functional purpose, as they are intended to keep water away from the foundation. Swales, on the other hand, are often recommended by landscapers as a general-purpose drain. Swales are sometimes not an option in urban areas because they require large lots to shape properly.
What’s better than a French drain?
Swales or Valleys Swales, also called valleys, are an alternative to French drains that capture and divert rainwater. Swales are shallow ditches that do not contain pipes. You can usually find them along a property’s edge, following the natural grade of the land to direct runoff to ditches or wooded areas.
Will French drain catch surface water?
Ideal for landscapes and lawns, hardscape patios and driveways, retaining walls, and foundation and footing perimeters, French drains are used to direct surface water or groundwater away from a specific area toward the lowest point.
Do pop up yard drains work?
Do Lawn Pop Up Drains Actually Work? (And How Do They Work?) Yes they work very well. The drainage pipes (typically PVC) in a surface drainage system are installed in trenches across your lawn or garden and run many feet away – and downhill – from your house. On sunny days, the pop up drain will be closed flat.
Can French drains cause foundation problems?
French drain – inexpensive & readily available, the traditional french drain doesn”t include a surface drain and is susceptible to silting and clogging. It”s also less durable and can cause foundation problems if not properly installed.
What is swale drainage?
A grass drainage swale is an open channel that collects water from hard surfaces and allows it to percolate into the ground, reducing the amount of runoff leaving the road or property. The grass covering the side slopes and swale bottom provides a filtration surface for the water and helps to reduce the flow velocity.
Why do they put rocks in ditches?
Lining drainage ditches with rocks creates a drainage system called French drains. The rocks are used to allow for greater drawing of water from the source area where the water was pooling. The water will flow into the rocks instead of being absorbed into the surrounding soil.
What is a spoon drain?
A spoon drain is made from concrete which is installed in line with the ground surface. It catches water before it soaks into the ground. The inverted angle of the spoon drain will direct rainwater away from neighbouring properties.
Does French drain need to be sloped?
French drains need to have a slope of at least 1 percent, so the force of gravity will work for you. This means that the drain should slope down a total of at least one inch for every 10 feet of pipe.
Does French drain need an outlet?
A properly designed French drain system does not require an outlet. The water will simply soak into the soil as it flows along the perforated pipe. In fact, a French drain doesn’t require an inlet on just one end either.
