A French drain sounds really fancy but it's actually a simple gravel ditch with an embedded pipe used to divert water away from your home. If you want to install a French drain in your crawl space, there are several things to keep in mind so you don’t make major mistakes during the project. First and most importantly, hire expert crawl space contractors to complete the work. Inexperienced contractors may cause damage to the crawl space or inefficiently install the French drains. Call the crawl space experts in Madison at Southern Crawl Space to avoid these headaches. french drains work similarly to gutters, only they collect water on the ground whereas the gutters collect rainwater away from your home. French drains also prevent water from seeping into the foundation by rerouting it elsewhere. Many mistakes can inhibit the awesome benefits the French drain offers, including the common issues below.  

Readding Excavated Soil to the Trench

Never re-add excavated soil back to the trench, unsure what else to do with the matter. Adding excavated soil to the new drainage system can result in the same moisture issues occurring that you want to prevent.  

Not Understanding Zoning Regulations

Understand and comply with zoning regulations in Madison.  It’s imperative that your French drain doesn’t impact neighboring land or public areas since it can lead to legal trouble. Always check with local building authorities to understand building codes and community zoning laws that can restrict drainage projects in the area.  

Overlooking the Direction of Water Flow

Assess your yard and areas that are flood-prone. Determine the general direction for the flow of the French drain before any digging or other work starts. If water does not flow in the proper direction -away from your home- it could cause significant water damage in the crawl space and to your lawn or the gravel in your yard.  

Not Lining the Trench

Lining the French drain with fabric -preferably a continuous swath- protects the crawl space against moisture. Make sure the fabric overlaps in the desired direction of flow.  

Using the Wrong Gravel

Installing a French drain using the wrong gravel is yet another problem that can create crawl space issues. The right drainage rock is imperative to ensure proper drainage and permeability. Round, natural stones should be used as your fill material. These materials allow better flow through them and do not break and clog the French drain. Find out more mistakes to avoid during French drain installation or schedule a free crawl space inspection today. Southern Crawl Space has expert technicians ready to protect your home with French drains.   Southern Crawl Space offers moisture control services, including basement and crawlspace waterproofing, drainage system installation, and vapor barrier installation. SCS guarantees to fix your moisture issues permanently. Our trained team of technicians utilizes only the best solutions for your basement or crawlspace. We are proud to offer LumberKote™ and MaxxBarrier™ waterproofing sealers by WatsonSeal. We are Alabama’s ONLY Watson Seal Authorized Dealer.   If you have a service request, give us a call. We will happily provide a free inspection and service estimate.