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A French drain is a trench filled with a perforated pipe and gravel that allows water to drain naturally from your yard. Depending on the size of your yard and the scale of your drainage issue, you can purchase the pipes and equipment to create a French drain yourself.
Are French drains effective?
How Effective is a French Drain System? French drain systems are incredibly effective because, unlike typical surface drains, they collect water over the entire length of the drain as opposed to one dedicated area. The force of gravity helps to guide water along a reliably smooth path to a desired discharge point.
What is the purpose of a French drain in a basement?
Exterior French drains function to divert water around the exterior perimeter of your house. Interior French drains, on the other hand, function to divert and carry away water and moisture out from the interior of your basement. This is one of the most effective systems for treating severe damp problems in basements.
What are the benefits of a French drain?
Advantages of French Drains French drains are an extremely effective way to channel water away from a home to prevent water damage to the foundation and the interior of below-grade rooms. Lawns that would otherwise be too moist can be transformed and rendered useful for gardens or children’s play areas.
Is a French drain necessary?
An especially deep French drain will be necessary if water has moved into the basement. Also referred to as a footing drain, this drain extends along the home’s perimeter to gather water before it moves into the basement.
Which is better French drain or catch basin?
If you are trying to control moderate amounts of runoff and groundwater over a large area, install a French drain. To drain large amounts of runoff or surface area from a low spot in your yard, install a catch basin.
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.
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.
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.
Do French drains cause mold?
French drains are only installed on properties prone or likely to flood. These systems collect water and move it away from the basement walls so it won’t penetrate. If it does, it can cause damp, mold, structural damage, and more problems. For these reasons, it’s important to stay on top of maintaining a French drain.
Whats better than a French drain?
If you have a negative sloped yard (which slopes toward your foundation), a surface drainage system is a better choice than a French drain. Sloping of more than 1”-1-1/2” on a 10′ run can result in excessive amounts of water seeping beneath your house.
What does a French drain empty into?
French drains provide an easy channel for water to flow through. Water runs into a gravel-filled trench, then into perforated pipe at the bottom of the trench. Water travels freely through the pipe, which empties a safe distance from the house.
How long will a French drain last?
Properly installed drains use advanced plastic sheeting called geotextile to protect the drainpipe from a blockage. French drains can last decades before needing maintenance. If your home requires a sump pump, a high-quality model will last around ten years before needing replacement.
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.
Does a French drain need a pipe?
Officially a French drain is a gravel drain with no pipe. The water just collects in and travels through in a gravel or stone filled channel that starts from the surface or just below it.
Should there be standing water in my French drain?
French drains are designed to collect rainwater and channel it downhill. If surface water is standing in low areas of the yard that are supposed to flow into your French drain, you have a drainage problem. A properly working French drain should keep low ground as well-drained as higher portions of the yard.
How much fall does a French drain need?
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.
Do french drains work in clay soil?
Clay soil can contribute to this problem, as it holds water well. Clay can also clog a French drain system by filtering fine particles into the aggregate, where the particles fill in gaps and prevents water from getting through.
How often replace French drain?
This is why most experts state that a French drain is not a long-term solution to a drainage problem: You have to dig it up and reinstall it every eight to 10 years.
Can you put dirt on top of French drain?
Because a French drain has holes throughout the pipe which allow it collect water, you should not install dirt on top of the drain pipe. Installing dirt will clog the pipe and the holes, rendering it useless.
